Danville Register and Bee
Friday, September 7, 2007
The Healthcare Leadership Council is a newly appointed local group designed to track the progress - or lack thereof - at Danville Regional Medical Center.
The Council is the successor to the Citizens Commission, a seven-member body that was appointed earlier this year by local doctor and Danville Mayor Wayne Williams to hear complaints about Danville Regional. Just one Citizens Commission member - Arlene Creasy of Pittsylvania County - is on the new group.
“I know, I see, and I hear from a lot of the people in the city and the county,” she said. “I can be a voice for the people and I am accessible for them. I bring the voice from the northern end of the county. We have medical options (Danville or Lynchburg) and we need to be sure this voice is heard.”
Creasy and other Citizens Commission members heard plenty of complaints about the quality of care at Danville Regional after it was purchased by LifePoint Hospitals Inc. in July 2005. The expectation is the new group will keep the lines of communication open with the hospital’s management.
“It is a group of trusted citizens separate from groups related to the hospital; therefore, they can offer an unbiased evaluation of what is happening at the hospital both good and bad,” Williams said.
Unlike the Citizens Commission, the Healthcare Leadership Council includes residents of Caswell County, N.C., and its members have been appointed by the local governments in Danville, Pittsylvania and Caswell.
While the hospital sale and LifePoint’s management since it bought Danville Regional is still a controversial topic, the hospital has maintained full accreditation from the Joint Commission this year after several months of operating under a “preliminary denial of accreditation.”
The Healthcare Leadership Council will give local people another way to express concerns about and problems with the hospital. Local residents should use the new Healthcare Leadership Council to keep Danville Regional honest - and improving.
The real test of hospital-community relations won’t be the number of complaints the new Healthcare Leadership Council receives, but the number of local people and physicians that put their trust in Danville Regional. If the worst for the hospital is really over, word will get out to the people who have had their confidence in Danville Regional shaken by the events of the past two years.
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34 comments:
i'm an outsider and notice that you poor folks don't have a newspaper either. what a jumble of nonsense.
Where are you writing from? Have you got a LPNT hospital too? How are things in your world?
This outsider has a great point. We have newspaper that everyone knows is slanted towards the biggest dollar amount and we have a hospital that is losing points with the trust of the community every day. How do we make Danville a commuity one can be proud to state is their home in this atmosphere? No one seems happy in this town.
Did everyone receive the e-mail sent out by Ruth. Where do they find these people? The new CNO is coming from corporate headquarters of TENET. TENET, a for-profit hospital that has been investigated and fined more often than LIfepoint/HCA which is amazing, since Lifepoint/HCA has paid, between the two of them, at least $20 miliion dollars if fines and are still being investigated by the FBI and congress. I honestly believe that Lifepoint, HCA, and TENET must just recycle their upper management every few years and trade them off in between companies. Because if you do the research, every CEO, COO, CFO, or CNO we have had has a background with one of these three companies. Another example of doing the same thing over and over again hoping for different results. Like Forrest Gump said.."Stupid is as stupid does".
What documentation of fines do you have that LifePoint has paid since separating from HCA in 1999? You write as if you're "in the know".
Google and you will find plenty. Ask about the $3 million they had to pay back to the state of Tenn for fraudulant billing. No, I am not in the know. Just an employee that does their due deligent research.
Of course these thieves are able to usually work it so they do not go to jail, but has anyone in this web of crooks seen the slammer?
I didn't ask for a website, I asked for sources. In the grandscheme of things, $3M is a drop in the bucket. Can you imagine making such a big deal ab out all the fines that are paid in Danville every week...parking, library, traffic. Are all those folks evil devils?
"How do we make Danville a commuity one can be proud to state is their home in this atmosphere? No one seems happy in this town." I suggest rolling back the clock to 1800 and don't let anyone in from the outside. Seems that's where all the trouble comes from.
If outsiders would come in and use their absence of connections to try and right the plantation mentality that has sucked us dry, that would be good. Instead they hit town and immediately throw in with the very people who have wrecked our community.
That's an interesting point. I came here 18 months ago and consider myself an outsider. We moved from an enlightened city, and research done by my wife showed us immediately to avoid the Lifepoint hospital here at all costs. That said, I have met two of the men you call Bank Boys. I found them to be friendly and engaging but very insular; they have short horizons, and you see that right away.
But that said, I liked these guys and believe that they are doing what they think is best for Danville. Obviously others disagree. But they seemed very "Danville" to us, and I think that is better than folks who might seem "UnDanville."
As an outsider, should I attack these guys as a way of changing what you called a "plantation mentality?" I just don't see it that way.
--From Down South
Must have been April Fool's day when you met them.
Could be April Fools x 365 for you. Give it a rest.
The Lifepoint people always give themselves away by certain phrases that are not used here.
I don't believe you met OUR Bank Boys. If you walked away with your wallet, you met someone else.
While most people have given up complaining about the hospital and have taken their business elsewhere, here's one from today's paper that SE should put up front for comments:
September 12: Skeleton crews
Danville Register and Bee
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
To the editor:
I have heard and read so much about how the public’s opinion of Danville Regional Medical Center is in jeopardy and how it is working so hard to repair the damage that has been done in the past. Here are my recent experiences.
My 85-year-old grandfather fell and broke his hip - a serious injury. EMS transported him to the hospital, where he was cared for very quickly and with great care. Surgery was done immediately to repair the break. It went great and he was well on his way.
As expected, he had an undetermined amount of time to spend in the hospital for recovery. Unfortunately, he is a chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient and pneumonia is always a concern. As his time in the hospital lengthened, the danger of pneumonia or other lung-related illnesses became more imminent.
The weekend rolled around and talk of “skeleton crews” started. Over the weekend, a chest X-ray was taken due to the respiratory problems that he was having. That comforted the family. Then the report that the X-ray may not be read for a couple of days due to the Labor Day weekend became a great burden. See, they were operating on “skeleton crews.” Yes, he is an 85-year-old man with a history of COPD (he was hospitalized for it for five days last month) that just had emergency surgery and was currently facing the fear of pneumonia, but he will just have to wait for his X-ray results. But that’s OK, because they only had “skeleton crews.”
I must say that my grandfather - as well as his children - seemed to be happy with the caregivers that were attending to him. In no way am I trying to take away from those people that gave him aid when needed.
My 75-year-old grandmother is as stubborn as a mule. It’s hard to make her sit down and take care of herself sometimes. She lives alone, cleans several homes, mows her own grass, sits with her 94-year-old mother … get the picture? She also has had a horrible time with her knees.
After years of trying to convince her to have them replaced, she has finally given in. Her appointment was set. She had her consultation at the doctor’s office and do you want to guess what they told her to expect? “Skeleton crews.” They actually told her to try to provide someone to sit with her around the clock while she was in the hospital because of the nursing shortage.
Now she has even more to worry about than the original issue with her knees. She has to worry about inadequate care, not because of an angry person’s rumor, but because her care provider has actually showed a concern about the ability of the hospital to provide care for her. How’s that for patient confidence?
Recently my father, also a COPD patient, was taken by ambulance to the Emergency Department for difficulty breathing. When I got there, I was concerned because of the condition that I found him in - in a room by himself, coughing to the point of gasping for air and definitely unable to tell me what he needed. Two nurses came in and showed genuine concern. His cough subsided and he caught his breath and was able to speak clearly. The nurses assured him they would get him another breathing treatment and we felt a little relief.
His condition seemed important at the time. So after about 20 minutes and several more coughing episodes, I began to wonder what had happened to the staff. I walked into the hallway and thought to myself, this must be what they mean by “skeleton crews.” It was like ghost town - no nurses, no doctors, not even a custodian. I had to go looking for someone to ask help from. I eventually found our two nurses hugged up to a security guard, laughing and joking. Evidently, they didn’t want to share the subject of humor with me because they quickly gained their distance and the smiles and laughter went away. They assured me help was on the way. Another 20 minutes passed and he got his treatment.
I know I’ve said a lot and maybe some things that should not have been said. I can only imagine other stories that are being told. The sad thing is that Danville and Pittsylvania County residents just don’t have a great deal of choices. They have to rely on the only hospital that we have. So, they take it. That’s all they can do.
The statements I just made do not reflect the feelings of the patients I mentioned, or my family. Just me. My insurance requires that I go to Centra-Health in Lynchburg for treatment. I used to think that was an inconvenience, but now I think it’s a blessing.
I know there are a lot of hard workers at Danville Regional - people who really care about others and do their best to help people heal. My hat is off to them. Don’t take it personally; we know it’s not your fault. For those of you who would rather goof off and play games while others lie in pain or suffering, get another job.
In closing, for those of you who are responsible for putting our loves ones in the hands of “skeleton crews,” shame on you - you are in the wrong business. Oh, one more thing. Since patients are getting skeleton crew-care, are they being charged skeleton-crew bills?
CHRIS ANDERSON
Chatham
"Since patients are getting skeleton crew-care, are they being charged skeleton-crew bills?"
I LOVE IT!!!!
Also love the fact that someone has the balls to step up and say it.
"Oh, one more thing. Since patients are getting skeleton crew-care, are they being charged skeleton-crew bills?"
Chris,
Don't count on it. Brentwood and their many O's here and there are in trouble, their stock is dropping so its VERY important that they get raises and bonuses to make up for what they're losing in their portfolio.
How unfortunate for Chris' family members, but is this not the way the hospital has been functioning for some time? What about patients who do not have family members to care for them? Are they left to attend to themselves? Please, when will inadequate staffing be addressed? When will there be management individuals at DRMC who care about the citizens (patients) of Danville, Pittsylvania County, Caswell County, and surrounding areas??
Upper management only looks after the bottom line. The managers and directors of departments are good people. However, if they go against Ruth they are chastised. The staff wants to do the very best for our patients, but, aren't given the resources to do such. I know there bad apples everywhere you go. But, the people here are hard working people who want to do the right thing.
This point needs to be brought up again and again...
"But, the people here are hard working people who want to do the right thing."
There are inherent limitations in the system(s) at DRMC that prevent the "right thing" too many times. Until that changes, nothing else will change.
Indeed , lifepoint's whole type A personalities(ie "O"s) is : "You need to learn to work smarter"
This is perhaps the most infuriating stupidity I have heard as of late.
The "O"'s have no idea how to do pt care or any service ,maint., type job (when was the last time the big "RM " touched a pt for real?)
lifepoint continues to handcuff the staff with less and less wants more and more so they can spend and spend , sorry to say lifepoint bad reputation and bad service should be the point of death for you.
"The managers and directors of departments are good people. However, if they go against Ruth they are chastised."
ruling by fear does not breed success. Please if there is anyone in Brentwood with a brain can't you see what this woman has done to this organization? Moral is worse, managers are afraid to speak and good solid people are leaving every day because it is not a work environment that is supporting quality.
RUTHless needs to be run out of town. She has been worse then any of the others who came before the only difference is that she can appear very warm and cuddly at first. But once you are trapped it is difficult to get out alive or with your dignity intact.
Mr.Anderson be very aware the RUTHettes are plotting your demise. If you are feeling the knife in your back I can tell you who is holding it.
Hmmm...healthcare leadership council met last night and there is NO coverage in the local media.
Who are the RUTHettes?
You can find the RUTHettes every morning in the lobby sipping lattes and chia teas and laughing at every joke Ruth tells them. Go down to the main lobby around 0830 every morning and you wil find this group. Most are directors (or director wanna-bes), some clinical managers, and a select few of staff nurses that carry clipboards and haven't done patient care in a few years. So sad to have to sell your soul to the devil to try and obtain promotions instead of the old-fashion way of hard work. But, that is the Lifepoint/DRMC way of doing things.
Who is actually doing the work then?
When will the public realize that lifepoint doesn't care if the work gets done? All they care about is did they make a profit on each patient's stay. Lifepoint won't even let some tests be made because the reimbursement isn't good enough.
"All they care about is did they make a profit on each patient's stay."
AMEN.
Who is actually doing the work then?
The RUTHnots are doing the work. Since they need not spend their day laughing and stroking her arrogance they actually make time to perform the work necessary to care for the patients. I think the new CEO (who hopefully will get here soon before we are a total lost cause!) will make the executive decision to blow up the Starbucks cart. Just think how this would help the public good? The nursing directors wannabees would actually have more time to support and guide thier staff. They might find their income is greater as they aren't flushing away time and money at the cart. Secondly staff morale (the nebulous morale!) would improve as they would not have it thrown intheir face that they are the workers and the directors are coffee tasters.
Ruthless: fearless leader leading through fear
Ruthettes: big lips better to kiss a-- with
Ruthnots: regular real healthcare
workers
Does that sum it up?
Love it!!
"The nursing directors wannabees would actually have more time to support and guide their staff"
They'd have to have the ability to start with.
Ruthless: fearless leader leading through fear
Ruthettes: big lips better to kiss a-- with
Ruthnots: regular real healthcare
workers
Does that sum it up?
Love it!!
You wouldn't love it if you were living it on a daily basis or if you were a patient in bed and those tasked to lead the standards of care were more concerned int he fact they could not get their chai tea.
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