Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Stanislaus County Coroner Facility Inspection Case #11-43gj

Findings and Recommendations 3 findings

F1

The current Coroner’s Facility is approximately 32 years old. The current facility is meeting current mandated requirements. Recent upgrades to heating, cooling and ventilation systems are limited “stop gap” measures at controlling odor. Based on the size and construction of the current facility, there are no available solutions for reducing noise levels or improving sound insulation. Future operational mandates, as determined by the Department of Justice, and projected workloads are undetermined at this time.

Related Recommendations (1)

R1

The Coroner’s Division/Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department continue with the proposed renovation of the Medical Arts Building in an effort to re-locate the Coroner’s Division. The proposed move would allow the Coroner’s Office to operate in a more up to date facility, improve and enlarge available work spaces and upgrade and/or add essential equipment. These improvements would improve the efficiency of the Coroner’s Office and subsequently benefit the current and future needs of Stanislaus County residents.

F2

The Coroner’s Office pathologists are performing an estimated 450-500 autopsies per year. According to N.A.M.E., Board Certified Pathologists should be performing no more than 250 autopsies per year. Based on N.A.M.E. standards, caseloads exceeding 350 autopsies per year increase the risk of errors and the quality of the autopsies can be sacrificed. In addition, more than 400 autopsies, performed by one pathologist, is considered a “phase 1” deficiency if accreditation is sought through N.A.M.E. 5

Related Recommendations (1)

R2

Increase current staffing levels in an effort to conform to the performance standards as recommended by N.A.M.E.

F3

The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Division is not prepared/equipped to respond to a large-scale multi-casualty disaster. At current capacity, the Coroner’s Office facility is only capable of adequately holding approximately 15-20 human remains.

Related Recommendations (1)

R3

Dedicate use of increased space to an area prepared/equipped to adequately respond to a multi-casualty incident.

Agency Responses 2

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

Board of Supervisors

August 25, 2011 • 31 pages • 6 responses • Score: +2 (+3, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

6 responses to findings and recommendations

F1

The current Coroner’s Facility is approximately 32 years old. The current facility is meeting current mandated requirements. Recent upgrades to heating, cooling and ventilation systems are limited “stop gap” measures at controlling odor. Based on the size and construction of the current facility, there are no available solutions for reducing noise levels or improving sound insulation. Future operational mandates, as determined by the Department of Justice, and projected workloads are undetermine...

Response: Agree Score: +1

Agree.

R1

The Coroner’s Division/Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Department continue with the proposed renovation of the Medical Arts Building in an effort to re-locate the Coroner’s Division. The proposed move would allow the Coroner’s Office to operate in a more up to date facility, improve and enlarge available work spaces and upgrade and/or add essential equipment. These improvements would improve the efficiency of the Coroner’s Office and subsequently benefit the current and future needs of Stanislaus Co...

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

Agree. The decision for the location of the new Courthouse will be made by the California Judicial Council, Administrative Office of the Courts. The County is represented on the New Courthouse Project Advisory Group by two members from the Chief Executive Office, one from the Sheriff's Office and from the District Attorney and Public Defender's Offices. The Chief Executive Office is working with the Sheriff (Administration, Court Security and Transportation units) to evaluate the impacts of a new Courthouse location once the site has been determined.

F2

The Coroner’s Office pathologists are performing an estimated 450-500 autopsies per year. According to N.A.M.E., Board Certified Pathologists should be performing no more than 250 autopsies per year. Based on N.A.M.E. standards, caseloads exceeding 350 autopsies per year increase the risk of errors and the quality of the autopsies can be sacrificed. In addition, more than 400 autopsies, performed by one pathologist, is considered a “phase 1” deficiency if accreditation is sought through N.A.M.E....

Response: Agree Score: +1

Agree.

R2

Increase current staffing levels in an effort to conform to the performance standards as recommended by N.A.M.E.

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

No response requested.

F3

The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Division is not prepared/equipped to respond to a large-scale multi-casualty disaster. At current capacity, the Coroner’s Office facility is only capable of adequately holding approximately 15-20 human remains.

Response: Agree Score: +1

Agree. Consideration and Approval of Response to the 2010-2011 Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury Final Report page 3

R3

Dedicate use of increased space to an area prepared/equipped to adequately respond to a multi-casualty incident.

Response: Will Not Implement

Score: -1

The recommendation will not be implemented because it is unclear what is being recommended. It is difficult to determine if an increase in the number of staff is being requested or if an upgrade to the existing position levels is requested. The current economic status of the County would make either request cost prohibitive at this time.

Sheriff

June 24, 2011 • 3 pages • 3 responses • Score: +3 (+3, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

F1

The current Coroner’s Facility is approximately 32 years old. The current facility is meeting current mandated requirements. Recent upgrades to heating, cooling and ventilation systems are limited “stop gap” measures at controlling odor. Based on the size and construction of the current facility, there are no available solutions for reducing noise levels or improving sound insulation. Future operational mandates, as determined by the Department of Justice, and projected workloads are undetermine...

Response: Agree Score: +1

approximately 32 years old. The current facility is meeting current mandated requirements. Recent upgrades to heating, cooling and ventilation systems are limited "stop gap" measures at controlling odor. Based on the size and construction of the current facility, there are no available solutions for reducing noise levels or improving sound insulation. Future operational mandates, as determined by the Department of Justice and projected workloads are undetermined at this time. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. The Stanislaus County Civil Grand Jury finds the Coroner's Off...

F2

The Coroner’s Office pathologists are performing an estimated 450-500 autopsies per year. According to N.A.M.E., Board Certified Pathologists should be performing no more than 250 autopsies per year. Based on N.A.M.E. standards, caseloads exceeding 350 autopsies per year increase the risk of errors and the quality of the autopsies can be sacrificed. In addition, more than 400 autopsies, performed by one pathologist, is considered a “phase 1” deficiency if accreditation is sought through N.A.M.E....

Response: Agree Score: +1

performing as estimated 450-500 autopsies per year. According to N.A.M.E., Board Certified Pathologists should be performing no more than 250 autopsies per year. Based on N.A.M.E. standards, caseloads exceeding 350 autopsies per year increase the risk of errors and the quality of the autopsies can be sacrificed. In addition, more than 400 autopsies, performed by one pathologist, is considered a "phase 1" deficiency if accreditation is sought through N.A.M.E. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. We provided this exact information to the Civil Grand Jury in a letter dated Apr...

F3

The Stanislaus County Coroner’s Division is not prepared/equipped to respond to a large-scale multi-casualty disaster. At current capacity, the Coroner’s Office facility is only capable of adequately holding approximately 15-20 human remains.

Response: Agree Score: +1

not prepared/equipped to respond to a large-scale multi-causality disaster. At current capacity, the Coroner's Office facility is only capable of adequately holding approximately 15-20 human remains. Response: The respondent agrees with the finding. While our current facility has been identified as one that needs to be replaced, in the event of a natural disaster or intentional terrorist incident, there are resources available to local agencies either through the California Emergency Management Agency (Mutual Aid) or from the United States Federal Government through the Office of Emerge...

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office

Stanislaus County Coroner Elected County Office