Stakeholders have long advocated for Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and System (HCAHPS) survey by changing its response format and fine-tuning the measures included. With the changes in HCAPS, a whole body of evidence-based best practices has emerged, allowing Los Angeles Community Hospitals to be able to identify issues needing improvement. 

In hospital environments, engineers are behind the scenes and don’t often get recognized for their contribution to patient care the way doctors and nurses might. Which is why Norwalk Community Hospital celebrates National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week (October 22-28).

Los Angeles Community Hospitals are dedicated to serving and supporting the communities they serve. To honor their rich cultural heritages, Los Angeles Community Hospitals (Los Angeles, Norwalk, and Bellflower) are hosting the 2nd Annual Día De Los Muertos Celebration of Life event on Wed., Nov. 1, 2023.

Norwalk Community Hospital is going high-tech with their security to improve patient and staff safety.

Prospect Medical is offering highly competitive hiring incentives to recruit registered nurses, licensed vocational nurses, certified nursing assistants, clinical laboratory scientists, respiratory therapists, occupational therapists and physical therapists to its comprehensive network of five acute care hospitals and two behavioral health hospitals in Los Angeles and Orange Counties.

Los Angeles Community Hospital at Los Angeles and Norwalk Community Hospital held Puppy Love Fest events for both staff and patients on Valentine’s Day.

The stress of the pandemic and economic challenges has taken a toll on the emotional and physical health of many. Caring for your cardiovascular health is an important way to counter stress. This includes paying attention to your cardiovascular health.

Norwalk Community Hospital and Los Angeles Community Hospital received "5 stars" for excellent clinical outcomes, according to Healthgrades’ 2023 Quality Ratings & Awards, which evaluate performance at almost 4,500 hospitals nationwide to determine clinical excellence in 17 specialty care areas.

Norwalk Community Hospital has deployed new interpretation devices in order to support patients with limited English proficiency, and to improve patient safety and experience.

Thousands of Los Angeles and Orange County vicitims of domestic violence need support to escape dangerous situations, find safety, and begin to start over. Norwalk Community Hospital reached out to a local shelter with some holiday good tidings.

Los Angeles Community Hospitals are dedicated to serving and supporting the rich cultural heritages of the communities they serve. To this end, the three hospitals located in Norwalk, East LA and Bellflower have joined together to host a Día De Los Muertos remembrance on Nov. 1, 2022, to celebrate and pay respect to family, friends and other loved ones who have passed. The event will be held on the Los Angeles Community Hospital campus in East LA.

Sepsis is the body’s overwhelming and life-threatening response to infection that can lead to tissue damage, organ failure, and death. In other words, it’s your body’s overactive and toxic response to an infection. Like strokes or heart attacks, sepsis is a medical emergency that requires rapid diagnosis and treatment. Sepsis can lead to severe sepsis and septic shock. Learn more about the signs and symptoms during Sepsis Awareness Month from the Sepsis Alliance.

Norwalk Community Hospital recently welcomed a new emergency department medical director, Dr. Jim Seraj. “My goal is to focus on efficient and effective emergency care so that our hospital continues to be a fundamental pillar of Norwalk and Santa Fe Springs and other communities,” he said.

The antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) at Norwalk Community Hospital will be highlighted at the 2022 Vizient Connections Summit this month. Vizient is a community hospital healthcare improvement company.

Norwalk Community Hospital reported receiving 4 stars in Overall Hospital Quality Star Ratings given by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the 2022 reporting period. “We have invested a great deal of time, effort, and money into providing quality of care and patient safety at our hospitals and these results are not only an affirmation of that commitment, they are also a well-deserved recognition of the hard work, skill, and dedication of our physicians, nurses, and support staff,” said Los Angeles Community Hospitals CEO Hector Hernandez.

Tony Desai, RN, has accepted the position of chief nursing officer for Los Angeles Community Hospitals at Los Angeles, Norwalk, and Bellflower.

To continue its role as a valuable healthcare resource, Norwalk Community Hospital has been focused on hospital improvements and patient safety, which has resulted in several upgrades and, most recently, being named among the top 5 percent in the nation in 2022 for Patient Safety Excellence by Healthgrades.

Follow these six tips to help prevent chronic disease and have a healthy summer: move more, wear sunscreen, keep cool, eat healthy, drink wisely and don’t use tobacco. Learn more details from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Norwalk Chamber of Commerce held its 99th annual installation of offices and awards luncheon in June.  At the event, Administrator Shana Crittenden, Norwalk Community Hospital, was inducted onto the board of directors through 2023. Norwalk Community Hospital also was recognized for its 17 years as a Chamber of Commerce member. "As the hospital’s new administrator, I'm honored to be a part of the leadership in the community our hospital serves and to have opportunities to reinforce our value to Norwalk residents and businesses,” said Crittenden.  

Los Angeles Community Hospitals at (east) LA, Norwalk and Bellflower were honored this week by the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health for their outstanding accomplishment achieving above 90 percent of employees vaccinated for the flu. Of the Los Angeles County hospitals, Los Angeles Community Hospitals ranked 12th out of 91 hospitals for the 2020 census. Los Angeles Community Hospital achieved 94 percent and Norwalk Community Hospital 93 percent.

Shana Crittenden was recently named Norwalk Community Hospital administrator. She has 16 years in various leading healthcare organizations, including most recently as chief operating officer of Southern California Hospitals at Culver City, Hollywood and Van Nuys where she was instrumental in leading the hospitals operations for the past four years.

In an emergency, hospitals need to maintain operations and keep patients and staff safe. Ensuring that the six Prospect Medical hospitals in Los Angeles are prepared is Stephen Cuthbertson, regional director of Environmental Health and Safety and Regional Safety Officer for the Los Angeles Community Hospitals in LA, Norwalk and Bellflower, and Southern California Hospitals at Hollywood, Culver City and Van Nuys.

Wound care is vital to quality patient care to prevent infection, improve healing and to reduce the incidence of readmission. Leading the charge to improve wound care and staff education at the three Los Angeles Community Hospitals is Francisco “Echo” Lozada, RN.

Valentine’s Day is a great day to think about your heart health and making this year a life-changing year for you and your heart. If you have children, keep in mind that diet and exercise habits started in childhood can start a lifetime of heart health.  For adults, the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention is shining a light on hypertension (high blood pressure), a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The division is committed to addressing barriers to health equity in communities disproportionately affected by cardiovascular disease.

Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we work on them with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others. This article has facts, how-to tips, and resources to inspire you to join with others, even if you can’t be physically together, to improve your heart health. 

To be successful in achieving New Year’s resolutions is to determine what motivates you, which differs from person to person. For example, did you complete a marathon because you had a spouse or training partner depending on you?  Or did you launch that business because you wanted to prove others wrong? It’s all about making your resolutions—be they health, financial, educational or relational—a priority, and then taking action that aligns with your daily habits and schedules.

Norwalk Community Hospital reached out to help Angel Step Inn Domestic Shelter during the holidays with a $450 donation to support parents in crating happy Christmas memories for their children. Angel Step Inn is a safe, confidential home for victims of domestic violence. The shelter holds approximately 30 people at a time and is staffed 24 hours a day to offer security and comprehensive support services to residents. The shelter is a homelike atmosphere that encourages privacy and peace for healing from intimate partner abuse.

From Thanksgiving through New Year’s, the holiday season is month-long food marathon. Sure, we visit with family and friends, but what do we do there? EAT! These subtle tricks and tips help avoid the temptation to overindulge this holiday season.

Life can be quite hectic. When 24 hours isn’t enough time to complete the day’s tasks it makes sense that fatigue sets it. But if you feel like you’re doing everything right and getting seven to nine hours of sleep each night and still feel tired, there might be something else to blame. The feeling of fatigue could be a symptom of anything from poor diet to a gut infection that you may not be aware of.

Summer is a great time to get outdoors and enjoy being with friends and family. From swimming to boating to picnics in the park, it’s a time for fun in the sun. But with more time outside and around water, there are some important things to be mindful of to keep you and your family healthy and safe. Take the quiz!

Intermittent fasting and time restricted eating are techniques to help people lose weight, improve their overall health, and some say simplify their lifestyles. Intermittent fasting (sometimes referred to as IF) and time restricted eating (sometimes referred to as TRE) are becoming increasingly popular so you are likely to hear about them more and more.

Summer is here and the temperatures are rising. As the days get hotter, cooking is less appealing than binging on ice cream or a cold berry mojito. But have no fear. Here are some healthier recipes for cold treats and snacks that can satisfy your sweet tooth.

Our hospital is pleased to announce that its contract negotiation with Anthem Blue Cross has been completed. Effective June 1, 2021, our hospital contract will renew on a multiple-year term. Both parties are satisfied with the outcome which resulted in a fair and sustainable contractual language and rate term agreement going forward.

Over the last year, the pandemic has given people a small glimpse of the vital role of EMS professionals. The sacrifice and dedication of EMTs, paramedics and other EMS practitioners has rightfully earned them admiration and gratitude in their communities. Calling us heroes sometimes obscures the fact that—behind those masks—are people who, every day, take on many crucial roles: Healthcare professional. Emergency manager. Social worker. Crisis counselor. Consoler. Caregiver. This week, we celebrate our EMS colleagues.

National Hospital Week (May 9-15) provides an opportunity to look back at the past year and appreciate the pivotal importance hospitals play in our communities. It’s also a time to reflect on the invaluable role Norwalk Community Hospital caregivers and employees fill within our hospital, and the sacrifices you make every day to deliver care to those who need it. This year, National Hospital Week theme is inspiring Hope Through Healing. Today, we celebrate the many ways you do just that by providing quality healthcare with compassion, commitment and resilience.

During National Nurses Week (May 6-12), we salute our nurses for their service to our community 365 days a year. Our nurses are to be applauded for their innumerable contributions to the care of our patients in Norwalk. While we have always had deep appreciation for the profession of nursing, during this past year they have truly inspired us.

Our nurses have demonstrated tremendous commitment and resilience. We know it has not been easy. We realize not all of our facilities could participate in last year’s Nurses Week due to the pandemic, so this year provides an opportunity to doubly express our gratitude. We thank them for facing the many challenges and long hours stemming from this public health crisis with extraordinary courage.

Our hospital has implemented extra safety precautions for more than one year now to ensure you remain safe while seeking vital medical care. Delaying important screenings and treatment for chronic conditions can be dangerous and may lead to worsening conditions. Follow these four tips to get the treatment you need:

Carmelo James, chief nursing officer of Los Angeles Community Hospitals at LA, Norwalk and Bellflower, received the Florence Nightingale Award for Nursing Leadership from the Career Networks Institute College of Nursing. CNI awards hospital CEOs, CNOs, directors and managers for their exemplary work in the healthcare field. He was honored for his role in leading the team to national clinical excellence, including Healthgrades’ Pulmonary Care Excellence Award and Five-Star Recipients for Heart Attack, Sepsis, Hip Fracture, GI Bleed and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

With the development of COVID-19 vaccines, healthcare staffs are among the first to receive the vaccines, thereby protecting themselves, patients, communities, and their loved ones. In this video, our caregivers share reasons they chose to get the vaccine, and why they're encouraging colleagues and others to do the same.

February is American Heart Month and knowing which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit is a powerful way to prevent heart disease and improve your overall health. Use the steps below to work toward a more heart-healthy diet. Here are 6 easy ways to eat smart for your heart.

Burning more calories than you eat in a day is referred to as a “calorie deficit” and is the basis of many weight-loss equations. The idea is daily calories in minus daily calories out = caloric deficit.

The first thing you need to understand is that one pound of fat is made of about 3,500 of extra calories. To lose one pound of fat, you need to create a caloric deficit of 3,500 calories. For example, if you wanted to lose one pound a week divide 3,500 calories by seven to get 500; that means negative 500 calories a day overall.

The COVID-19 vaccine created by Pfizer arrived at Norwalk Community Hospital this week. The hospital received 205 doses on Monday and planned to begin vaccinations throughout the week.

According to Hector Hernandez, CEO of Los Angeles Community Hospitals, the vaccines would be given to healthcare providers in high-risk departments, including the emergency department, intensive care unit, COVID units. Recipients include nurses, physicians, respiratory therapists, and housekeeping personnel, going down a chain dependent on level of risk.

Santa and his elves left the cold of the north pole for sunny Southern California to partner with our hospital’s care coordinators for a drive-through Christmas. The team passed out Christmas bags filled with blankets, socks, slippers, robes and pajamas to more than 50 nursing homes, assisted living and board-and-care facilities, along with scrumptious to-go lunches. The decorated tunnel drive-through event was held at Bellflower Behavioral Health Hospital.

The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic impacted virtually every healthcare organization in the world. Prospect Medical Holdings, which operates 17 hospitals in five states—including Los Angeles Community Hospitals in LA and Norwalk—as well as 165 outpatient centers and 28 medical groups, found its hospitals at the center of the crisis.

A growing national healthcare system, Prospect quickly leaned on its core values amid the crisis and took decisive action to help mitigate the impact on its communities, facilities, staff, and patients. To do that, Prospect relied on the same grit, determination, and vision that guided its actions during its origin.

Recently a 45-year-old male was admitted to Norwalk Community Hospital’s emergency department with no brain activity.  He was not registered as an organ donor therefore any decision to be a donor was up to his mother and father.  OneLegacy was contacted to approach the family and explain potential organ donation. 

The Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce (TACCLA) as part of its “Million Face Masks for Greater Los Angeles” donated 50,000 face masks to Los Angeles Community Hospitals. “We are thrilled to be one of the recipients of this generous donation of masks,” said Keith Levy, Los Angeles Community Hospital administrator. “Donations like these make a huge difference.”

Over the last several months, Ari Jogiel, founder and CEO of fashion brand Ari Jogiel, has provided Los Angeles Community Hospital with more than 4,800 masks for its front-line staff, and generously provided enough masks to send dozens to all of the system’s local hospitals in Norwalk and LA.

Staff from Norwalk Community Hospital were joined by Santa and his elves to distribute gifts to Norwalk and Los Angeles area nursing homes and board-and-care facilities for a special Christmas in July outreach effort.

Prospect Medical clinical leaders across the nation have stories of sacrifice, encouragement and thanks from the front lines of care during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Being  diagnosed with COVID-19 gave CEO Hector Hernandez a better perspective on health and his extraordinary staff.

Every year, we celebrate National Nurses Week. This year, at this exceptional time, our Prospect Medical nurses’ sacrifices, dedication, and compassion have an even deeper meaning. I thank all our nurses for the tremendous work they do every day to care for our patients, especially during this pandemic.

Employees of Los Angeles Community Hospitals are giving back to the communities during the COVID-19 crisis, delivering bags of food and supplies to the 300 residential care and assisted living facilities. These facilities are vulnerable to shortages of food and household supplies due supply chain challenges and quantity restrictions at grocery stores.

March 30 is National Doctors’ Day across our nation. Many of our physicians are on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis, so today we recognize our talented and committed doctors. Regardless of their specialty, the COVID-19 pandemic brings unique challenges to our doctors requiring sacrifice, dedication and compassion. 

Prospect Medical leaders at every level of our organization, clinical and non-clinical alike, are working around the clock to be responsive and proactive in the fight to identify and treat those infected by the virus, and protect those who are not from the threat.  Teams are meeting several times a day to assess the evolving situation, particularly its impacts on our employees and providers, patients and their families, hospitals and other facilities, communities, and those we are proud to serve.

Patient safety is a top priority at Norwalk Community Hospital, which is why the hospital leadership is committed to becoming a High Reliability Organization (HRO).

To mark American Heart Month, NHLBI, one of the National Institutes of Health, is inviting people across the country to team up and join #OurHearts, a national heart health initiative that encourages people to improve heart health together.

Maintaining healthy blood pressure is a critical part of maintaining general health. Blood pressure is the force blood exerts against the walls of your arteries. This force is primarily a function of how hard your heart is pumping and how much resistance to that blood flow your arteries are exerting. Resistance can come from the narrowing of arteries as we age or as a function of poor diet, inflammation, and other factors. 

February is American Heart Month! Did you know that people who have close relationships at home, work, or in their community tend to be healthier and live longer? One reason, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), is that we’re more successful at meeting our health goals when we join forces with others. NHLBI launched the #OurHearts movement to inspire us to protect and strengthen our hearts with the support of others in the Hispanic/Latino communities.

Sometimes grocery shopping can be a dangerous task. We tend to go to the grocery store when we are hungry, ready to scoop up all the delicious-looking, ready-made food or sweets from the bakery.

Next time the sensation to grab the first box of cookies you see takes over, think about your heart! Did you know that each year about 800,000 people die from heart disease? It’s up to you to keep your heart healthy, and you can start by making sure your fridge and pantry are stocked with heart-healthy foods.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States. Despite increases in awareness over the past decades, only about half (56%) of women recognize that heart disease is the No. 1 killer, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). Many believe it’s cancer, yet heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined.

For this reason, The American Heart Association created the Go Red for Women awareness campaign. The campaign is designed to increase women’s heart health awareness and serve as a catalyst for change to improve the lives of women.

Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of both women and men. Every year, 1 in 4 deaths are caused by heart disease.

The good news is that healthy choices can help manage or prevent heart disease. Many of us set up a New Year’s Resolutions in January related to lifestyle improvements, such as eating healthier, exercising more, and reducing stress. These lifestyle changes not only help you, but creates a framework that your children will take into adulthood. February Heart Month provides another opportunity to keep those positive lifestyle changes.

There is a reason that National Heart Month falls in February—the same month that Valentine’s Day is celebrated. As Valentine’s Day is all about the heart, this is a good match. Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both American men and women; almost one in every four deaths in the United States is caused by heart disease. African-American men are especially susceptible.

Knowing which foods to eat more of and which foods to limit is a powerful way to prevent heart disease and improve your overall health.  Use the steps below to work toward a more heart-healthy diet. Here are 6 easy ways to eat smart for your heart.

You just joined a gym as part of your New Year’s Resolution to get into shape, and maybe feel a little intimidated by the whole new environment. Congratulations on taking the first step toward fitness. You may feel confused and conspicuous the first few times you walk in the gym. However, the best place to begin is with the new member orientation.

It’s official!  You’re the proud owner of shiny new fitness tracker as part of your New Year’s Resolution to walk 10,000 steps a day. Sure, you can hit that number when it’s gym day, but it can be a bit more difficult on your off days. This hurdle can be overcome by making a few little changes in your daily routine.

Does your back give you pain? Well, you are not alone. About 31 million Americans experience low back pain at any given time. So, when should you be concerned that your back pain is too severe to cope with on your own? Read on to see if surgery or other interventions are right for you.

Learn More about Back Treatment Options

For many people looking to lose weight in 2020 or maintain current weigh, the greatest nemesis is food cravings. The seemingly insurmountable desire for something very specific (and usually very unhealthy) is more than normal hunger. Some research shows that these strong yearnings are linked to habits, hormones, and emotions.

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Uncontrolled cases can cause blindness, kidney failure, heart disease and other serious conditions.

Before diabetes is diagnosed, there is a period where blood sugar levels are high but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. This is known as prediabetes.

It's estimated that up to 70% of people with prediabetes go on to develop type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, progressing from prediabetes to diabetes isn't inevitable.

It's time again for your annual checkup. What your doctor does during your yearly exam will vary to some degree based on your age, changes in your health, and other variables. Different doctors may also check different things simply because exam protocols vary. Also, if there is something specific you need to have examined, it could require a specialist to diagnose the problem properly.

Diabetes is a disease where the bodies ability to respond to the hormone insulin is no longer working properly. The bodies inability to properly respond to insulin results in excess sugar being in the blood and urine. This excess sugar can damage vital organs such as the kidneys, eyes, and other parts of the body.

Norwalk Community Hospital is offering free flu shots for senior citizens on Tuesday, Oct. 22, from 3-8 p.m. at the hospital, which is located at 13222 Bloomfield Ave. Free onsite parking is available.

While Southern California winters are more mild than in most other parts of the country, it still marks the beginning of the cold and flu season. Instead of just waiting around hoping you won’t catch anything, why not take a proactive approach?

Norwalk Community Hospital hosted a senior and community health fair for the Norwalk community in June and was recognized by the California assembly and senate.

Whether it’s a cat, dog, horse or iguana, pets can improve your overall health and happiness.

Summer is the time of year everyone seems to look forward to! School is out, and family time is planned and enjoyed. However, summer creates a set of dangers and issues we should all be aware of and prepare for.

Ah yes, spring is in the air—along with all the sneeze-inducing pollen! Seasonal allergies are extremely common, but no need to suffer this year. Numerous strategies can help reduce or prevent your symptoms before they start.

Many of us want to lose weight and many of us want to be healthier. Many of us want to change aspects of our lives or substantial parts of our lives that we don’t feel are serving us well. And many of us just can’t seem to make that change happen.

The Los Angeles Community Hospital, Norwalk Community Hospital and Los Angeles Community Hospital at Bellflower, each gave back to their community with an annual donation.

Los Angeles Community Hospital at Norwalk hosted a grand opening ceremony to unveil their First Responders Lounge on Jan. 18, 2019.  The purpose of the lounge is to give first responders a place to relax after bringing a patient into the ER.

Los Angeles Community Hospital and Los Angeles Community Hospital at Norwalk are the recipient of the 2018 Patient Safety Excellence Award™  for the fifth year in a row (2014-2018).