Danville Register and Bee
Sunday, May 27, 2007
No matter what people think of Danville Regional Medical Center, its corporate parent, LifePoint Hospitals Inc., or the sale of Danville Regional to LifePoint, the community discussion now underway needs to include the hospital’s doctors, nurses, technicians and other employees who want to speak out.
During the recent Citizen’s Commission hearings in Danville and Yanceyville, N.C., the hospital employees who spoke strongly defended Danville Regional. Their point was that a number of dedicated, caring professionals worked at the hospital despite strong criticism from the community - and that the hospital’s problems were being fixed.
But what the Citizen’s Commission didn’t hear during the community meetings were current hospital employees complaining about the situation.
This week, Commission Chairman Jim Houser said the reason for that was that at least some of them were afraid they might be fired for criticizing Danville Regional. Houser interpreted that as a sign of a possible morale problem among hospital employees.
“If the morale is low, then certainly the type of services offered aren’t going to be what you’d expect them to be,” he said.
While that’s true, it’s also true that most employers don’t want their employees to speak publicly about what goes on at work. Some companies even go as far as to force their employees to sign legal agreements promising not to speak to outsiders under any circumstances.
In the case of hospitals, there are patient confidentially laws that limit what can be said about individual cases.
It’s hard to say if morale problems at Danville Regional - if they truly exist - are the result of the employee’s ability to speak out about the situation or the situation itself. But it’s probably the latter.
The Citizen’s Commission can’t do its job until it hears from current Danville Regional Medical Center employees. The commission has to get to the bottom of this situation, and it can’t do that if the only people it hears from are those who aren’t worried about speaking out.
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39 comments:
Yesireee.
And two plus two is four. Jeeeez!
So what do you expect? None of this woulda ever happened if this town had a serious newspaper.
Local paper sold to an out of town corp. sound familiar?
Big difference. Having a ridiculous newspaper that sticks to crime and fluff is NOT a life or death matter. The hospital is.
Still, your basic point is the same: the long distance newspaper management cares no more about our region than the long-distance hospital management. They just fluff it all up to APPEAR to care.
Whose the optimist who thinks two plus two is four? At that paper, two plus two equals either three or five.
You might be laughing, but if they had been tough and honest they could have made a huge difference in this horrible situation. As it is, they just hid behind brave people's letters.
We might start to see a difference now that LifePoint has cancelled all its advertysing with them.
Honestly?,Lifepoint cancelled all of it's R&B adverts ?
I realized that I hadn't seen any lately.Hmm, I wonder if the R&B "opinions" will get tougher and realistic now.
Has lifepoint paid the newspaper yet for all that past advertising? How about their other debts around town? How about their city taxes? How many locals are scared silent because of lifepoint's unpaid bills?
Don't know for sure about cancelling all the adverts, but I've heard the same thing. Supposedly that's what the PR girl Leslie Smith has been spreading around.
I suggested on the citizens commission forum that they obtain a list of employees who were let go through the pool or moved on on their own and send each of them a survey to try to get some honest "unafraid" answers.
I'm obviously one of the "groupies" therefore if I gave my facts to the commission I too would be on a dusty trail out of here, just like anyone else who has spoken out with the truth.
I'm not stupid!
Decisions are real easy when you have a spouse and children depending on a DRMC paycheck. If you have a grain of sense, you sit there and you take it and take it and take it. As horrible as going to work is, I would not open my mouth to the mayor or anyone else. I'm even using someone else's computer to make this comment. There is no limit to the brutality of managers with no families here and working toward big performance bonuses.
But God willing, something will happen to get them out of here. And I'll have to live with the fact I keep smiling and trust no one.
Your blog sight and your leadership should be commended. Non-Urban cities across America are fighting healthcare battles. Recent efforts could enforce Joint Commission regulation and accountability-as historically they've only tip-toed the issues. They have hidden incriminating reports for some time. Transparancy of those records is of vital importance to one of our nations vital infra-structures, and non-disclosure is unconstitutional. Your mayor should be commended. Your community is indeed involved in a large battle...and one that is seriously important. Protecting your community is vital and continued questioning and accountability is vital on all individual and local levels. Rally support from your state and national levels as much as possible. You are wise to solicit help from your state attorney general-enforcement varies between states currently, as some have turned a deaf ear to commercially insured individuals-only to govern state/fed monies spent. This trend has induced a turn in corporate healthcare target markets toward primarily that of the working population-commercially insured. (Commercial Health Insurance also has been slow to address the issues-as they too are selling a product) Some hospital chains manage with goals that WILL make profit-whatever the costs- jobs..and yes,lives. Beware of mgmnt. wolves parading in sheep's clothing. All suspicious errors should be questioned-(doctor's wife given ineffective medication? Happens often...too often) When a healthcare agency administers goals to increase patient stay...these behaviors become commonplace, as well as unecessary proceedures, over-medication, oversedation, irregular monitoring, falsely reporting test reports and many more. The list is overwhelming!
To secure this blog's future, consider independent provisions. It could be shut down/ or "purchased" to scramble your efforts-through large corporate networking. Your eyes, voices, knowledge, spirit, and unity are some of your greatest assets. You would be wise to protect its future by seeking alternatives. Your community must continue to stand on integrity, truth. Rest assured that some actions that you witness that seem contradictory to quality healthcare goals ...often are. Promises to change- are often "announced" to pacify, and then are short lived. Staff physicians(many non U.S. Citizens-take simple written tests to receive state liscenses) are often strategically placed in communities based on consumer climate and then relocated as needed...(Patients should not make decisions on week-ends w/o primary care physician consult.) Local ethical physicians will leave and are replaced until climate is controlled for corporation-silenced due to physician/hosp. contracts, or indebtedness. Nurses are overworked-too many patients to uphold quality care(but often blamed for errors) Only financial quarterlies are of value to mgmt. HIPPA laws are often mis-interpreted and mis-applied. Release of patient records are often delayed, and changed-if not obtained immediately. (Signatures by patients can allow others to seek/view/share records. Patients should ask questions and family members should keep as much documentation as possible while family members are hospitalized. Consider medical power of attorney documents.) Continue building your legal, medically educated networks-privately. As more avenues of concern arrive perhaps delegation of responsibilities such as researching AMA guidelines, state liscensure responsibilities and alliances, American Nursing Association/ State Nursing Branches & support, Medical Standards of Code, Patient Rights, Guard/educate against eager DNR solicitations, and patient finance agreements signed during influence of medications.
Research is available about standards/codes/overcharging online. Encourage your state legislation to construct and enact protective criteria-laws-governance/with accountability. Google other state laws, and organizational websites such as Healthwatch U.S.A. Some Hospital Corporations are targeting unstructured healthcare governments, and rural/uneducated environements. Research history of HCA-ten year FBI investigation.(Your hospital corp. branched off during investigations-and HCA settled with National Executive Endorsements. You have same song-new verse- with a twist of terror.
Investors/legislators should research who really owns corporate stock-to whom corporations are indebted-how mgmt. decisions are made. Who answers to whom...some of it is indeed of monumental importance-difficult to digest in America, yet rapidly growing.
However, these battles can be won, and will be eventually. The processes are slow, difficult to maneuver. Grass-roots efforts from all communities are vital. Your community is proving itself a leader of ethical/responsible leadership for other communities seeking paths. The national problems are complex and collaboration of all are necessary. We will remain in touch-perhaps through private e-mail.
God Bless You,
IHCC Consortium
Awesome!!!!
Yes, awesome.
As for earlier post, thanks for confessing you use someone else's computer. This is only my third post, but each time I have used a computer that does not belong to me. My greatest fear is all posters will be "outed" and there goes everything--perhaps even our motgage, since the bank boys have that.
Listening is great. We have been listening to each other for quite some time now. The community is getting involved that hopefully will spur action beyond listening and having a list of recommendations that can be tossed into a file and forgotten. We can hope. Most of the employees are willing to do their part to turn this all around, but we need dedicated effective leadership that believes in us and this community. Right now the best description that fits is being on the crew of a ship that is filling up with water. The crew is bailing out the water as fast as they can to keep the ship afloat. Some of the crew have jumped overboard moving on to other ships within their reach. The buckets are beginning to lose their handles and developing holes of their own. The captain is standing by the helm looking out over the sea with hands behind his back whistling a merry tune. All is well at sea!
I just read the above editorial from the Danville paper. Whoever wrote that is absolutely clue-less about the real world. What an idiot. In my department, I can guarantee your a-- is adios if you open your mouth. More than that, your mouth better be smiling!
Tell us please what department you work in? Who is threatening you? Did you realize this is illegal?
Yes it is illegal , But we have neither the time or money to fight millionaires.
Funny, if you were truly being threatened by your employers a simple call could address that. My thought is that you are exagerating and understand that you would not be able to support your arguement. With all the spotlight and the commission I am sure you would have support if this were true. I love that people can make such comments anonomously but do not speak to them publically with documented support. If you have the support and what you are saying is true then you could retire off the payments made in retribution from the big evil empire.
First off you cannot "speak to" a comment.
You should get rid of your subcription to " How to sound important for dummies"
Next Lifepoint is very versed in lawsuits for such things, do some research on the past lawsuits they have had for firing folks.
They are also good about NOT issuing any type of "memo" on anything that could incriminate them. No paper means it didn't happen.
Exactly. not to mention the fact that Virgina is an at will state. You can be terminated at any time without cause just like you can quit at anytime without notice.
Look into this company. History speaks volumes. By their own admission they seek out "rural" hospitals that have no competition. No competition means you can provide the bare legal minimums since you have a captive customer/employee base. We aren't the first hospital that Lifepoint has trashed. They just screwed up on their geographics and figured the "rural" hicks in Danville wouldn't go elsewhere.
I'd say they were fooled on that front.
They have also had their share of doctor boycotts. I hate to see our great physicians leave but sometimes you have to go through a valley to get back up on a mountain.
As far as winning a lawsuit against them, good luck, millions of our dollars already have their lawyers on retainer. Sad the citizens of Danville are paying for their own demise.
Most lawsuits get "settled", and include gag clauses which prohibit their publicity.
Also, Lifepoint is historically known to set up work environements that lead to "errors" at the "hands on" level-which usually points directly at the practioner or nurse in charge. Patients(or their families if error is fatal)tend to have compassion on the "home-grown" employee. If its an imported employee(many times a staff physician) he is relocated immediately. 19 states;50 hospitals=decent options/unless the collateral damage is criminal-then he goes back to the country of origin. By the time the evidence gets tracked back to lack of quality patient care-the fight is a he said/she said court battle, usually with patient records being miraculously cleaned up......kind of makes a patient realize the importance of having a camera handy, huh?
Sad though, patients feeling they have to protect themselves when they are ill...if they are conscious....really sad.
Sad when a nurse feels she is trying to help someone or save their life in such a blame game atmosphere....Sad.
As far as community members "giving baths" etc. There are hazards if not trained correctly. Hospitals are required to have trained personel to do these things...and teach patients and family correct care when they are discharged-an important part of quality patient care and infection control-life threatening for patients!
School cafeterias (where immune systems are stronger) are governed more than this! Additionally, I don't want "Miss Ida Noe", getting off from the pet grooming shop in charge of delivering my food trey or pulling a quick volunteer shift of sheet changing after my back surgery!
Threatened is too strong for our situation on the Tele unit. So readers, tell us how to describe comments such as "if you don't work with me, I'll replace you with travelers". Hmmm, still trying to figure out how to read this one. Cavalier comments from management do not foster an enviornment of care for staff.
Agreed. Management seems to be drawing lines. Our side/their side.
They created this mess.
How long does it take to train a traveler. And how long is their typical tenure at a hospital?
So, when I roll up my sleeves to help out and give my family member a bath or help them to the restroom...and then they fall down causing a serious injury...who would be responsible??
Do you think LPNT is going to be there for me then??
Well, you have to consider the source...anyone who would suggest you should be willing to bathe patients yourself would probably also hire landscapers to do their lawn professionaly, yet be willing to do the weedeating or mulching themselves. "Oh thats ok Mr. Greenthumb I know you are busy, I'll pay you the same but let me worry about the trimming and mulching."
To the poster who asked about travelers, I would like to answer that question. A traveler is a nurse who is suppose to come in to the hospital already with experience. They get about 3-4 days to learn the DRMC way of doing things and are released. The average length of a contract is 8-13 weeks. A telephone interview, not a face-to-face interview, is conducted. So, the manager never sees the nurse that the agency is sending until the day they show up for work. Now let me give you something else to think about. The average nurse at DRMC probably makes around $20.00/hr, however, the average traveler makes about $32.00/hr and DRMC pays agencies on average of $65-75/hr for their services. Think about it, Why not invest in your current staff?
Actually, a lot of businesses use "temps". Yes you pay a little more per hour usually around 50% of their hourly pay, plus the agency fees. But most businesses calculate a full time employees cost at twice their hourly pay (benefits, ss, unemployment insurance). I'm not sure about travelers, but with themps you don't have to worry about HR issues, when you no longer need them, you call the contract company and say "don't send them back'. No paperwork, no unemployment, no severance. They are a quick easy fix for short term needs.
Fine double my "20" dollars an hour that's 40 and no where near what travel nurses are paid or cost.
In my experience the great majority of them are NOT as trained as they say and not very good and even at the "40" dollar an hour calculation for a full time RN DRMC could still get 2 RN's for 1 agency RN.
Lifepoint-Stupid is as stupid does.
Your $40 an hour equals $80,00 a year. 6 weeks of a temp at $75/hour only comes to $18,000. But the real point is Lifepoint can get by with investors showing more money for temps...claiming its due to a temporary staffing shortage... than they can explaining the salaries column on the spreadsheet. Welcome to big corporate business juggle the numbers to keep the o's and stockholders happy.
Research shows high traveler use costs the organization money and quality. these people still require orientation time and training but is it less. We do not pay for their benefits but that is why we are paying sometimes 80 dollars an hour. There is no buy in or committment to the organization. There is no long term committment. Not a good scene.
Not a good scene at all. But then again trying to make the numbers look good doesn't always make good sense. Look at how they played with the ratio calculations. Used hospitals that contracted a lot of services and then counted maintenance, janitorial etc. when calculating admission hours or some such replacement for ratios.
Dear Funny,
Apparently you do not work for LPNT
otherwise that comment would not have come out of your blog mouth. or, you do work for lpnt but are playing on the other side of the playground. well all i can say is you probably should stay there. this hospital has for years been known to terminate for no reason. many attempts have been made to unionize this hospital with no luck because everyone fears retaliation. goodyear reps have been waiting for us to decide what staff wants to do for years. when we get close numbers of professional staff back out because of fear.
telemetry nurse
OK 6 weeks = 18,000 for a temp and a regular would costs 80,000 per year in this scenario.
That 80,000 would equal double the normal salary for fulltime.
If you bother to compute out the
total for the traveler it would be :Full time 80,000 and
Traveler 8.67 cycles of 6 weeks times 18,000(your calculation ) which would equal $156,060 for the traveler .that's 1.95 times more for a traveler per year than a full time nurse ,that's 2 fulltime nurses at double pay with benefits per one travel nurse.OR 4 fulltime nuses at straight time. Hardly a bargain .
And before anyone asks, yes there have been travelers at DRMC consistently for over a year.
I agree....just remember on the spreadsheet traveler pay is a seperate item. Sure its a shysters ploy but when investors are looking at the books they are looking at payroll for full time permanent first. Travelers can be explained away as a temporary "fix" for a staffing or nursing shortage.
Agreed , we need to spread the knowledge about this DECEPTIVE, practice,especially since one of lifepoints philosophies was to "reduce waste",remember that lie?
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