Diablo

Since its official launch in November 2017, Kaiser Permanente Antioch Medical Center’s Patient Advisory Council (PAC) has grown from an idea to a highly active group helping make a difference in the lives of Kaiser Permanente members and staff. The PAC meets monthly to share experiences, ideas, and suggestions on how Antioch Medical Center can continue to be a great place to receive care.

“The goal is to improve the overall experience of our members and patients in the future by receiving real-time, real-life feedback from people who are coming to us for their care,” says Ariel Chan, volunteer services manager, who is co-chair of the PAC.

Who becomes a patient advisor? Perhaps you! Think back to the last time you or a family member were in the hospital. Did you think there were things that could have been improved? If so, joining the PAC is an opportunity to share your feedback.

Patient advisors attend monthly meetings where they are encouraged to speak up and share their experiences – both positive and negative – and those they have observed. The PAC takes an upbeat and practical approach to brainstorming ideas and coming up with creative solutions.

“The establishment of the PAC has been an exciting development at Antioch Medical Center,” says Janet G. Jule, chief nurse executive. “We have been pleased with the success of the program and how well received it has been by volunteers, staff, and members.”

Patricia Ahern has been a volunteer at Antioch Medical Center for 11 years as well as a longtime member, and was one of the first to join the PAC. “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time as a volunteer. Joining the PAC was the perfect opportunity for me to share my improvement suggestions from a patient’s perspective,” Ahern says.

Currently, the PAC has four members and would love to have more. “We see many opportunities to grow the program and look forward to extending it to other departments,” says Jule. Volunteers need to be members of the local community or receive care in the Diablo Service Area, not be employed by Kaiser Permanente, and have four to five hours a month available to attend the monthly meetings.

“The more people who join the PAC, the more we can spread this successful strategy to other areas,” says Chan. “Everyone has been so impressed with how inspired and committed the PAC volunteers are. They have made a real difference.”

To learn more about how to join the PAC, please call or email Ariel Chan (925-813-6362; ariel.f.chan@kp.org).

The spread of the highly contagious omicron variant has caused a surge in demand for COVID-19 testing. Unfortunately, there may be longer than usual wait times for testing at our facilities — even if you have an appointment. Please don’t go to urgent care or the emergency department for COVID-19 testing — only members who need immediate care should go to those locations.

We’re doing everything we can to meet this high and growing demand. If you need a COVID-19 test, please schedule a test on kp.org, or use an FDA-approved at-home test. You can also go to non–Kaiser Permanente testing locations in the community.

As part of our commitment to protect our patients and staff, and to prevent the spread of COVID-19, we have implemented the following in our facilities:

Anyone entering our facilities must wear a mask over their nose and mouth, regardless of vaccination status.

Visitor restrictions are in effect for all our inpatient and outpatient facilities.

No visitors are currently permitted in our hospitals, surgery and emergency departments. Additionally, per a health order from the state of California, hospital or skilled nursing facility visitors must provide proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result which has been taken within 48 hours before entry or a negative COVID-19 antigen test result which has been taken within 24 hours before entry.  This is not applicable to those visiting lab, pharmacy, or radiology, or those visiting patients in critical condition or near death. Limited exceptions for essential support persons.

These visitor restrictions correspond directly to the CDC-published COVID-19 transmission rates in the county that our hospitals are located and are based on 4 levels of transmission rates: high, substantial, moderate, or low.

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Protect yourself and your loved ones by getting a no cost flu shot. For your safety and convenience, flu vaccinations are available for adults and children, 6 months and older. Many locations also offer the COVID-19 vaccine and booster. Please get vaccinated – it’s your best defense against serious health risks this season, and now more than ever, it’s important to stay safe and stop the spread.

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COVID-19 Vaccination Clinics are open at the Antioch and Walnut Creek Medical Centers.

We encourage everyone age 12 and over to get a free COVID-19 vaccine. Our hours are as follows:

Walnut Creek Medical Center
Monday through Friday by appointment only
8:45 a.m.  to 12:10 p.m. and 1:35 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Oaks Conference Rooms
3rd Floor, Medical Office Building

To make an appointment to get your COVID-19 vaccine or to learn more, please go to kp.org/covidvaccine