Securing the Future of Alameda Hospital

Alameda Hospital Seismic Update

As a vital part of the healthcare system in Alameda County, Alameda Hospital is the sole emergency department on the island and a world-class stroke center. These services are essential for the health and safety of the community, particularly in times of disaster.

Following the Northridge earthquake in 1994, California lawmakers enacted a law requiring hospitals to either seismically upgrade their existing buildings or replace them to meet safety standards by 2030. This unfunded state mandate requires that hospitals not in compliance with these earthquake standards must cease operations.

Currently, the Alameda Health System (AHS) operates the hospital, while the City of Alameda Healthcare District owns the buildings and is responsible for maintaining their structural integrity, including the seismic upgrades. The District has started the process to meet the 2030 requirements.

The planned project has two primary components:

1. Seismic Retrofits: All buildings will be retrofitted to meet the 2030 seismic standards at an estimated cost of $28.9 million.
2. Operational Upgrades: An area in the South Wing will be upgraded to create an 18-bed short-stay Skilled Nursing Facility unit. This will facilitate the timely transfer of acute care patients to a more appropriate level of care, at an estimated cost of $25.1 million.

The total construction project is scheduled to be completed by 2028, ensuring that critical healthcare services remain available at Alameda Hospital for years to come.

Stay tuned for more updates on this important project. For additional information, please visit the AHS website. (Link to AHS Website)