Seismic Planning

By Suzanna Coxhead

• In 1994, the California legislature passed a law, SB 1953, which required all acute care hospitals in the State to bring their facilities up to a higher level of earthquake safety standards.

• Marin General has three acute care wings, two of which were built in the 1950's and which need seismic retrofitting or replacement. The third wing (West Wing) was built in 1989 and meets the State's highest seismic standards.

• Since the 1994 law was passed, Marin General has spent approximately $20 million to retrofit the Hospital. An additional $18 million of retrofit work needs to be done and the Hospital has submitted a seismic compliance plan to complete the retrofit by 2008, the State's deadline.

• The Hospital also has the option of avoiding the expense of retrofitting by replacing the use of the two older wings by 2013. It is estimated that the cost of replacement could be in the range of $100 million.

• Before deciding whether to proceed with the expense of retrofitting or replacement, the Hospital recommends a full strategic analysis of the community's health needs. This process is estimated to take a year and will involve an extensive review of overall health trends as well as provider resources. It will include public input. The Hospital asked the District Board Directors to join with them in a collaborative planning process.

•At the July 9, 2002 meeting of the Marin Healthcare District Board the five directors unanimously passed a motion stating that the District Board and MGH would "continue the collaborative process to develop full strategic analysis of community health needs relating to seismic planning and develop a process which will allow for ample public input."

• Since then, some Directors have expressed reservation about this joint planning process. I believe that the Hospital and the District should seize this opportunity to work cooperatively to plan for future patient and seismic needs. If re-elected, my goal will be to keep the spirit of cooperation going.