The mission of the LA Health Services’ Employee Health Services unit (EHS) is to care for the staff who care for patients or support the operations of the healthcare system. In January 2023, EHS underwent a significant transformation to enhance the health and safety of Los Angeles County employees and contractors. Previously hampered by delays, EHS centralized leadership and reorganized clinics to prioritize workforce needs. This led to a drastic reduction in average visit times from 90 to under 30 minutes. As a result, over 40,000 staff members regained 40,000 working hours, saving resources. Nurses, doctors, and other team members now spend more time providing essential care, setting a new standard of excellence in Employee Health Services.

The EHS reorganization was implemented in three phases. Harbor-UCLA Medical Center and Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Center went live in January 2023. In April 2023, the Ambulatory Care Network (ACN), which previously lacked a dedicated EHS unit, was supported by a new EHS clinic in Glendale, covering staff from Long Beach to High Desert and the Juvenile Health Court System. This team also supported the Health Services Admission workforce, Housing for Health, Emergency Services Agency, and administrative offices. Los Angeles General Medical Center followed in November 2023, and Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in July 2024. For the first time, all EHS units are under centralized leadership, ensuring equitable care for the workforce.

EHS has hired three new Nurse Managers dedicated to Employee Health. Using quality improvement tools, an in-depth analysis of clinic practices revealed inefficiencies like redundant processes, unnecessary forms, unclear repeat visits, and inconsistent services. EHS leadership addressed these by performing tracers, observing staff visits, and gathering feedback to streamline operations and improve care quality.

Due to the adoption of a uniform reporting model, EHS successfully implemented the updated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, which eliminate annual tuberculosis testing for low-risk healthcare personnel. This change will save countless hours and resources, allowing more time and support to be dedicated to patient care and services across the enterprise.

The reorganization of Employee Health Services focused on equity and inclusivity, ensuring all employees receive fair access to care. By standardizing practices, the initiative promotes a diverse workforce and addresses systemic inequalities. Adopting the mantra “from DMV to caring for me,” EHS emphasizes personalized care that respects everyone’s unique needs and experiences.

Please reach out to your local EHS unit with any questions.

The Employee Health Services (link is only available to DHS staff members) page has additional information including how to contact them.