(Blogs are currently being updated, and put in a different order. Some of the things have already happened, as HFS is on board doing it's thing, which is to see if there is a way to save the hospital as it is in default on it's contractual obligations regarding the revenue bond project that has plagued the hospital with defaults and service and licensing issues, as well as staffing.)
After a disappointing sale-a-thon at the Kern Valley Healthcare Board of Directors meeting, where the big news was left for last, while we pretended the hospital had not just been taken over by Cal Mtg. the insurer of the revenue bond debt, fourteen million dollars.
Next week, we will not only be signing a contract with HFS financial consultants, we will have "tele-psychiatry." Finally, somewhere for KVHD board member,Bob Jamison, to get help and watch TV at the same time.
I love the Christmas list we're getting for believing things are so much better at the hospital. (It's always good to see the board passing out the kudos and pats on the back as they explain if the community doesn't pay we're out of business. Makes sense...on some other planet I suppose.)
We are going to have new stuff, cool things. Right? And I'm sure much like they have done, if anything goes wrong, they will stand up and take responsibility. Sorry, that's not KVHD that's Sierra Kings in Reedley.
Oh, but we have to pay for it with a general obligation bond. How do those bonds work?
Two thirds of the voters must agree to raise property taxes to pay off the hospitals' debtor Cal Mtg. Then what is left of the monies will be spent on a "retrofit."
Yes, we heard Chet Beedle and Pam Ott say for years it would be too uncertain financially to retrofit the hospital or remodel as there could be hidden costs as there could be mold from the leaking roof in the ER, or more likely asbestos in the ceiling requiring hazmat units to remove it.
They are right. But now the hospital administrators have one plan: pay off the debt and remodel the ER with the money from the community by way of property taxes in the form of a GOB.
Now these bonds have restrictions, you cannot use the monies for anything such as raises, operations of the hospital, just what the community ordered.
Hold it...Or can you?
Pam Ott almost had Measure M in her hands in 2006, until the nursing center collapse.
I was on the campaign trail with Ott and Beedle who both told me that the bond money was safe, as it could not be used for anything other than what the voters said it is to be used for.
After her rather quick departure in 2007 she headed to Reedley California somehow landing another CEO position even with a degree from a diploma mill on the internet.
Sierra Kings district hospital, currently in bankruptcy and being run by interim CEO, Sandy Haskins, of a familiar company who will be here in the KRV soon, HFS.
(HFS began it's contract only a week ago so the inspection, audit, is underway with the audit and we will see what the can find, and fast.)
HFS has been putting the pieces of it's life back together since Ott was fired in October 2009, after elder abuse charges were filed against her.
Now she might find the Fresno District Attorney interested in her recent shenanigans at Sierra Kings. (If the DOJ can't get her, maybe the DA and the good people of Reedley will)
According to this weeks article in the Reedley Exponent, a dynamic, community driven, newspaper, it seems 1.7 million dollars of "GOB" bond money was misspent. (But Ott and Beedle said that couldn't happen)
With CEO, Tim McGlew, and CFO, Cheet Beddle, and possibly the whole KVHD board counting on quickly planning a bond, construction project, and anything else that would entice the community to vote for it's "save the whales" campaign, it's good timing to look at what could have been the KRV.
It's all about trust
Many of us who lived thru the Pam Ott era and survived or partially survived, remember the promises of what the community could do by voting in a bond.
We were all ready to go and believe anything she said. I personally backed Ott and the bond.
Elder abuse charged, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, was another fan of Ott, and was photographed for many of the advertisements for Measure M. He backed Ott's play like nobody else in the hospital.
Now, HFS, trying to revive a dying hospital, Sierra Kings, finds that more than 1.7 million dollars in bond money, with very restrictive uses, has been used.
Oh my? How could that be? there are laws against it.
Well, according to the Exponent article, a government expert said by going against the will of the voters, they have lost "public trust." (along with 1.7 million dollars)
Haskins, the article said, verified the monies had been misused. Apparently, the town of Reedley was excited to vote in a bond worth 20 million and at the same time be promised new technology, another ER, upgrades on the birthing center, Adult and children health centers and seismic upgrades so that they will be standing during an earthquake.
Although monies went for other things, there was a construction project and new ER, but vendors walked away unpaid too. (Oddly, it seems they still have money left over. Good planning, it seems they planned for the misuse of the funds.)
Haskins does say that the rest of the bond monies not used are now being used properly again.
It's so easy to do a bond and build a building isn't it?
At tonight's KVHD meeting there was no chagrin as the board was confident there was no waiting for planning a future project, say in two years when the next election takes place, rather they would push forward and hurriedly get a "thingy" together for this election in November.
There is apparently no time for planning, that's out. We need to take action.
Unfortunately, because financial status reports were unclear, the KVHD board decided not to take action last year when it was apparent the hospital would be in default on it's debts by at least this year. And in default they are.
(I'm lying they knew there were problems but they waited until they are being hijacked by their debt insurer to do anything. Now the extreme measure of going to the community for money is being taken. Had we acted on this last year, could we have allowed more time for planning for the future? Would we have invited more community members in to help? We are setting ourselves up for failure and I'm going to watch it happen. I won't be happy though, but people will learn.)
What if they rush into this and then change their minds about the project, or the prices fluctuate, and the bond is written that the monies will be used for these specific purposes and nothing else?
With minimal planning and a rush job, it could happen. That could lead to a second bond or a third, etc. Or it could lead to using that money for things other than were voted in, which would be against the law. (we don't believe in the law at KVHD so it's really not a problem. And since all the agencies let us get away with "murder" I don't think anyone should worry about consequences.)
Do we really want our hospital "rushing" out a project when in the 1990's they took years to accomplish a third of what they promised and are now in default over?
I wouldn't recommend it, but the hospital is doing what "it" wants to do.
I've been in construction, it's never a good idea to rush anything, most especially a medical construction project with many different types of guidelines which must be followed. You could lose your shirt and fast with all the regulations involved.
Oh, yeah, we know that, but we haven't learned that. We are preparing to make the same mistake again. This time it could be with your money.
In Reedley the clean up from the Ott aftermath
Only the latest financial mismanagement, said the Exponent, as they had reported last month that Ott and financial manager, Chet Beedle, no sorry, Barbara Jennings, held back payments to it's social security alternative program.
Bankruptcy is an interesting process as it uncovers EVERYTHING which may have been done in error, or on purpose, who knows, nobody is going to tell the truth.
With HFS up in Sierra Kings, we have a good opportunity to see what they can do following up on Ott here at KVHD. They may see that there are similarities in the way both our hospitals were run financially.
The board of directors oversight
This article which tells a tale of blatant mismanagement at Sierra Kings, only serves as a warning of what is happening here in the KRV.
A government affairs official cited in the Exponent article said that the board lacked oversight. Well duh.
Tonight at our local hospital board meeting a moment of "who is running the show" became apparent at the end of the night.
CEO, Tim McGlew, told the board he had selected NTD an architectural firm, to put together something for them to see, regarding the bond again that will be on the ballot in November. He said he chose that particular company because the board had used them before.
Then he added, "if that's what the board wants to do."
Suddenly, a board member made a motion, and finally a sensible thing happened: Board member, Kay Knight asked what they were voting on, the company, money, what?
So, before they had heard what they were voting on, motions were made. Does this not make you think that the board is relying totally on it's CEO and CFO?
Obviously, because, one of the board members said the CEO and CFO are the heroes of the district who have cut costs and have been doing an excellent job.
So, I guess there's no reason for a board of directors then? Let's just get rid of them.
According to the article an attorney warned that the board can be liable for things that they should have been watching....and doing their due diligence.
Motioning for a vote without knowing what your CEO meant, is blind voting, pavlovian. Only easily manipulatable minds do things like that.
A tale of two types of boards
With Ott possibly facing some more criminal charges the board of directors in Reedley had something to say.
One board member said they weren't strict with Ott and didn't really know how the money was being spent. The Sierra Kings board member then conceded that the board is beholden to the community and staff.
What a board member actually took responsibility?
No, not here in the KRV, I'm talking about those people in Reedley whom I'm smitten with these days as they would be wonderful to have around here.
The one Sierra Kings board member who admitted they didn't watch carefully, now says that HFS is reporting everything. If they can't pay, the board knows about it that day and is able as a group to take action.
But out of all of this, DOJ, defense attorneys, Measure M supporters, Cal Mtg., we may actually see the truth, and with that truth, correction can be made.
You cannot make a good decision based on inaccuracies and untruths.
If the hospital runs down to the architect and says can you do all of this for us for this price and they say sure, that will be the restriction on the ballot. But as Ott and her gang have shown, all laws can be bent and broken: and people too.
I'd say print out the Exponent article and when the board comes a calling to tell you that they must have this bond: show them the article.
We need to trust the board and administration before we can even consider this bond measure.
And with a financial manager using credit cards to pay for operations costs, it's a cheesy operation which would love to suck in 20 million of "free money."
One audience member tonight summed up the issue of the debt with one practical question: why did it take 20 years to fix this problem?
As usual, no one answered. But maybe the problem with the board is they don't know what to do and hope that they can just skate by on silence and dodging questions they don't particularly like or agree with.
However, at issue is that the problem was never fixed and couldn't be obviously.
Who said that you can only go to a meeting if you agree with the board? Nobody. And in fact, if you harass or target someone for not agreeing with you, you're in violation of a few laws.
Things were strangely chipper, as if we had invited our debtor to take over the hospital. Some of the things that were said, were so out of touch with reality, I could hardly keep my mouth shut. And got gut shot for it too.
It is difficult for me sometimes to be able to explain some of what I have researched to people, board members, administrators, who don't or maybe can't think outside the box. But I feel confident that you the KRV resident, come November, will want to hear more and learn more. And I'll make sure you get the correct information.
One claim I've heard repeatedly is how good we are doing in comparison to other hospitals.
Well, it was said again tonight...
If we are doing better than most other hospitals across California, than why are we being taken over by a bond insurer? Are all the other hospitals in worse shape? How could that be, it makes no sense. Worse would mean, what, closed down? How much worse is it when you have to get a bond and refuse to consider any other options? When it makes no sense, you go to the experts and find out why. I'll get back to you on this.
Then we will wait and see what the DOJ, Etra and Ginsburg, the medical and nursing boards, the Fresno District Attorney, have to say in regards to potential charges against Pam Ott and our other cases of bad judgment.
Now if we find more evidence for you Jerry Brown, could you possibly stop the woman from taking down more than two hospitals and a nursing center? Isn't than enough?
Hopefully HFS will have not ideas, but will dig and find the things they have found in Reedley on our former CEO, Ott. And find the things that still keep us from having a functional hospital.
More to follow...
Thanks again to the people of Reedley, the journalistic integrity, the community support, you are an example for us all to follow.
And here's the article:
http://www.reedleyexponent.com/articles/2010/05/05/news/doc4be1d4b3d65c6435055285.txt
Press control button and click on link to open or just copy and paste into address bar.
Persistance and Tenacity, requires a new chapter, a new beginning....
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Special meeting, sounds good, but was it?
As is usual with the Kern Valley Healthcare Board of Directors, nothing much happened that could be reported at the special meeting today.
But as many members of the community called and asked me if the meeting was going to rid us of certain people at the hospital, I assured them that probably wasn't going to be the case.
I know many of you have expressed to me the disappointment in the KVHD board's lackluster management and the lack of action you so want to see.
Two people called with the same question: are Jamison and Armstrong going to step down?
My response was and is, I doubt it. They don't have enough character to do something for the sake of renewal for the hospital. It's apparently all about them. A selfish, almost sociopath's perspective.
Upon hearing my response one community member remarked, "how can they just sit there when they allowed people to be drugged against their will?"
Another person said, "they are there because of ego and nothing else." (I think that might hit the nail on the head)
Both Armstrong and Jamison have never spoken or admitted to any of the things that happened in the nursing center or as to why they didn't act and do something. They refuse to speak to the matter.
Jamison attacked anyone who would question former CEO, Pam Ott, and its my understanding that Mr. Armstrong gave her a glowing report in a reference for her new job.
The two long time board members have used a smoke screen and still hide behind it at the meetings. I directly asked them questions and they have nothing to say.
No, "I'm sorry," no "we made some errors" or anything of that nature.
The second question is about Chet Beedle. "Why has the board just let him get away with all of this?" And that was followed by "is he going to be indicted too?"
I told them that Mr. Beedle has been allowed to do the things he has done, which is up on this blog somewhere or everywhere, because, again, lack of oversight from the community, the new administration and the board.
As far as charges being brought against Beedle or Jamison and Armstrong, I told them, the new board needs to clean house itself and not rely on the department of justice.
The healing will only begin when the infection is under control. As we have seen this week, Pam Ott, former CEO/ administrator, has been charged with eight counts of elder abuse, and if all goes well, she will tell the story of her friends still on "board."
Sorry, if people are disappointed in the board of directors and their lack of action, but we will have to wait and see what happens.
To remove board members, there is a recall that can be utilized. If you don't feel the board is serving your best interest, the best interest of the hospital, patients and employees, you can pick up a recall packet at the elections office.
I know its tough to have to wait to see if there is going to be any other charges brought down from the state to help out, but I must tell you, I doubt that too.
After reading the press release from the Attorney generals office regarding the KVHD case, I still see many errors of understanding the complete picture of what happened.
So, I guess all I can say is that maybe people need to speak up. If you want something done, then get out there and do it. You want to remove board members or "the whole board" as someone said today, then do something about it.
I can't really explain to you why the board has taken no action to remove and replace people in administration who definitely have been here too long.
The only reason I can see is that the board doesn't understand its capacity and responsibility or even opportunity.
So, here's your special meeting report: they had a meeting, then it ended.
Nothing special came out of it that I have been able to ascertain. Not even sure why the meeting had to be called in the first place.
Here are few remarks from the community and one from a town called Reedley:
"He goes on and on and never says anything I can understand." Regarding, CFO, chet Beedle and his financial reports.
"I've never seen a hospital so out of whack unable to function as a team, with systems in place. They can't make it much longer."
"We need to revote." Regarding the board members.
There is pressure for the hospital to perform and the comments are becoming stronger and more direct as the media has come to find out what is going on.
Special meeting a big yawn and not of the expectations to some in the community. (Isn't that special?)
I'll ask the hospital for more information on the Ott defense fund, and if there will be one.
The Ott charges, missing one conspiracy charge, will check on this...
001
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
002
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
003
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
004
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
005
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
006
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
007
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
008
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
But as many members of the community called and asked me if the meeting was going to rid us of certain people at the hospital, I assured them that probably wasn't going to be the case.
I know many of you have expressed to me the disappointment in the KVHD board's lackluster management and the lack of action you so want to see.
Two people called with the same question: are Jamison and Armstrong going to step down?
My response was and is, I doubt it. They don't have enough character to do something for the sake of renewal for the hospital. It's apparently all about them. A selfish, almost sociopath's perspective.
Upon hearing my response one community member remarked, "how can they just sit there when they allowed people to be drugged against their will?"
Another person said, "they are there because of ego and nothing else." (I think that might hit the nail on the head)
Both Armstrong and Jamison have never spoken or admitted to any of the things that happened in the nursing center or as to why they didn't act and do something. They refuse to speak to the matter.
Jamison attacked anyone who would question former CEO, Pam Ott, and its my understanding that Mr. Armstrong gave her a glowing report in a reference for her new job.
The two long time board members have used a smoke screen and still hide behind it at the meetings. I directly asked them questions and they have nothing to say.
No, "I'm sorry," no "we made some errors" or anything of that nature.
The second question is about Chet Beedle. "Why has the board just let him get away with all of this?" And that was followed by "is he going to be indicted too?"
I told them that Mr. Beedle has been allowed to do the things he has done, which is up on this blog somewhere or everywhere, because, again, lack of oversight from the community, the new administration and the board.
As far as charges being brought against Beedle or Jamison and Armstrong, I told them, the new board needs to clean house itself and not rely on the department of justice.
The healing will only begin when the infection is under control. As we have seen this week, Pam Ott, former CEO/ administrator, has been charged with eight counts of elder abuse, and if all goes well, she will tell the story of her friends still on "board."
Sorry, if people are disappointed in the board of directors and their lack of action, but we will have to wait and see what happens.
To remove board members, there is a recall that can be utilized. If you don't feel the board is serving your best interest, the best interest of the hospital, patients and employees, you can pick up a recall packet at the elections office.
I know its tough to have to wait to see if there is going to be any other charges brought down from the state to help out, but I must tell you, I doubt that too.
After reading the press release from the Attorney generals office regarding the KVHD case, I still see many errors of understanding the complete picture of what happened.
So, I guess all I can say is that maybe people need to speak up. If you want something done, then get out there and do it. You want to remove board members or "the whole board" as someone said today, then do something about it.
I can't really explain to you why the board has taken no action to remove and replace people in administration who definitely have been here too long.
The only reason I can see is that the board doesn't understand its capacity and responsibility or even opportunity.
So, here's your special meeting report: they had a meeting, then it ended.
Nothing special came out of it that I have been able to ascertain. Not even sure why the meeting had to be called in the first place.
Here are few remarks from the community and one from a town called Reedley:
"He goes on and on and never says anything I can understand." Regarding, CFO, chet Beedle and his financial reports.
"I've never seen a hospital so out of whack unable to function as a team, with systems in place. They can't make it much longer."
"We need to revote." Regarding the board members.
There is pressure for the hospital to perform and the comments are becoming stronger and more direct as the media has come to find out what is going on.
Special meeting a big yawn and not of the expectations to some in the community. (Isn't that special?)
I'll ask the hospital for more information on the Ott defense fund, and if there will be one.
The Ott charges, missing one conspiracy charge, will check on this...
001
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
002
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
003
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
004
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
005
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
006
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
007
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
008
F
PC
368(B)(1)
CAUSE HARM/DEATH OF ELDER /DEPENDENT ADULT
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
updated: Caldwell Flores Winters: advice on writing the ballot Part 3 "special Meeting"
Caldwell Flores and Winters, a bond consultant company, out of Oakland California, who was instrumental in the 2006 Kern Valley Healthcare district general obligation bond, Measure M. Though the bond missed by less than 100 votes, and the early surveys showed that it would be close, the plan the hospital, under former CEO, Pam Ott, had was not workable.
Here's the CFW link: http://cfwinc.com/
Ott eventually admitted to serious problems with the architectural plans and the hospital would not have been able to complete it's project.
But had it passed, and even though they couldn't do the project, the community would still have had to pay for the bond: you vote for it and you pay for it.
If you vote for a GOB for the hospital this year, don't forget you pay for it. You're paying money and I will go quickly into the elections aspect of the bond in another post.
The monies derived from a GOB are supposed to be protected, but like she did here in the valley telling us one thing and doing another, Ott, moved up to Sierra Kings District Hospital and was able to use the bond monies for things like payroll and other sundry items the bond was not voted in to be used for.
(I'll be following up with Ott in Fresno county to see if the DA will charge her for misuse of the public funds. How will the Fresno DA handle Ott's indescretion, better than they did here in Kern I hope.)
Sierra Kings went into bankruptcy shortly after Ott was charged with elder abuse, last September. She was then relieved of her position as CEO.
Here's the advice from CFW
Since the hospital wants to use the GOB to pay off a project that took place more than 20 years ago, and failed to be built to the plans. Half a skilled nursing facility is better than nothing? No, I"m afraid not.
Now, CFW, says they have surveyed this community and amazingly the community wants to pay more property taxes to the tune of more than 67% of the people contacted.
AMAZING! In 2006, with community members swarming around the hospital, meetings and volunteers, CFW's survey showed that less than 60% agreed to pay for a GOB.
The advice to the board at the time was to take their time to plan and gather volunteers prior to deciding whether or not to put Measure M on the ballot.
New advice at special meeting 5/17/10
I tried to get you the video last night, but things didn't quite go the way I wanted.
So, as I said, the representative from CFW had new advice for the board and administration, not to have to explain the debt history to the community, but rather say it's paying off a "lease."
I contacted KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, to ask whether he felt it was fair to put in couched language to avoid the truth. Is it par for the course. Haven't heard back, yet.
(As we know the ballot that has been written, does not contain the word taxes, debt relief or bail out. It is unfair and it shall be fought, the ballot itself.)
I also sent off a letter to Caldwell asking about the survey they did up here, and how I could get in touch with the "objective" company who did the survery.
The reason: several people contacted me asking why it sounded like old women doing the survey, like the Pink Ladies, one person suggested.
Again, I get no response which makes me wonder what are they covering?
The CFW rep explained to the KVHD board members people understand buying is better than leasing. And then an audience member asked him straightforwardly if he was lying. Is the term "lease accurate?"
No. But it sounds better than admitting to failure and asking the community for a bailout because nobody is able and willing to say the terrible word, "bankruptcy."
And that aside, a bargain, a reorganization, anything else. We will take up Parcel Tax, as it excludes seniors from seeing the raise in funds and only lasts a few years, and may only produce a couple million dollars, but a creative management team can always find a way.
Temporary technical problems
Blogger is being problematic about the videos, so we will attempt to get these videos onto Youtube. And continue to get some more videos on the blog.
YouTube "orderbipolardisorder" Look for Leaselying 1 and 2. More to follow...if the upload gods will allow it.
And if you can't find us that way, just plug in "Ask Bob Jamison," and that seems to be easily found...
The week before the board meeting has just begun. Next up interview with elections department on how to write the verbiage for a GOB. A look at the answers other rural hospitals are finding to stay strong during the economic crisis...But a more serious matter is at hand, I'll get to that the day of the board meeting....June 3, at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria.
Here's the CFW link: http://cfwinc.com/
Ott eventually admitted to serious problems with the architectural plans and the hospital would not have been able to complete it's project.
But had it passed, and even though they couldn't do the project, the community would still have had to pay for the bond: you vote for it and you pay for it.
If you vote for a GOB for the hospital this year, don't forget you pay for it. You're paying money and I will go quickly into the elections aspect of the bond in another post.
The monies derived from a GOB are supposed to be protected, but like she did here in the valley telling us one thing and doing another, Ott, moved up to Sierra Kings District Hospital and was able to use the bond monies for things like payroll and other sundry items the bond was not voted in to be used for.
(I'll be following up with Ott in Fresno county to see if the DA will charge her for misuse of the public funds. How will the Fresno DA handle Ott's indescretion, better than they did here in Kern I hope.)
Sierra Kings went into bankruptcy shortly after Ott was charged with elder abuse, last September. She was then relieved of her position as CEO.
Here's the advice from CFW
Since the hospital wants to use the GOB to pay off a project that took place more than 20 years ago, and failed to be built to the plans. Half a skilled nursing facility is better than nothing? No, I"m afraid not.
Now, CFW, says they have surveyed this community and amazingly the community wants to pay more property taxes to the tune of more than 67% of the people contacted.
AMAZING! In 2006, with community members swarming around the hospital, meetings and volunteers, CFW's survey showed that less than 60% agreed to pay for a GOB.
The advice to the board at the time was to take their time to plan and gather volunteers prior to deciding whether or not to put Measure M on the ballot.
New advice at special meeting 5/17/10
I tried to get you the video last night, but things didn't quite go the way I wanted.
So, as I said, the representative from CFW had new advice for the board and administration, not to have to explain the debt history to the community, but rather say it's paying off a "lease."
I contacted KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, to ask whether he felt it was fair to put in couched language to avoid the truth. Is it par for the course. Haven't heard back, yet.
(As we know the ballot that has been written, does not contain the word taxes, debt relief or bail out. It is unfair and it shall be fought, the ballot itself.)
I also sent off a letter to Caldwell asking about the survey they did up here, and how I could get in touch with the "objective" company who did the survery.
The reason: several people contacted me asking why it sounded like old women doing the survey, like the Pink Ladies, one person suggested.
Again, I get no response which makes me wonder what are they covering?
The CFW rep explained to the KVHD board members people understand buying is better than leasing. And then an audience member asked him straightforwardly if he was lying. Is the term "lease accurate?"
No. But it sounds better than admitting to failure and asking the community for a bailout because nobody is able and willing to say the terrible word, "bankruptcy."
And that aside, a bargain, a reorganization, anything else. We will take up Parcel Tax, as it excludes seniors from seeing the raise in funds and only lasts a few years, and may only produce a couple million dollars, but a creative management team can always find a way.
Temporary technical problems
Blogger is being problematic about the videos, so we will attempt to get these videos onto Youtube. And continue to get some more videos on the blog.
YouTube "orderbipolardisorder" Look for Leaselying 1 and 2. More to follow...if the upload gods will allow it.
And if you can't find us that way, just plug in "Ask Bob Jamison," and that seems to be easily found...
The week before the board meeting has just begun. Next up interview with elections department on how to write the verbiage for a GOB. A look at the answers other rural hospitals are finding to stay strong during the economic crisis...But a more serious matter is at hand, I'll get to that the day of the board meeting....June 3, at 5:30 PM in the cafeteria.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
The staff's convenience or maybe...the hospital's administrative variable cost cutting: what do you think Mr. Brown?
I don't mean to be flip, I just need to understand
As I said in the previous post regarding the Attorney General Jerry Brown press release which for the first time in the history of this elder abuse case at the Kern Valley healthcare district, former CEO, Pamela Ott is mentioned alone in the story (a paragraph) being compared to the so -called elder abuser of the year, Mary Louise Wilson of San Diego for attempted murder by arson.
As I was writing about Pamela Ott, the CEO, of the Kern Valley Healthcare District prior, during and ...during the mess that would take place in the nursing center for "several years" (You could try to dispute the time frame, but it's not really disputable, as the records still in existence show.) which would degrade into the the safety hazard it became.
But a hazard, not announced such as the Toyota recall. Now that is something major a company would have to have the courage to do. Admit mistakes and begin to fix them.
That didn't happen at the Kern Valley Healthcare District. But I have a question, maybe somebody can answer for me.
Why is it that Jerry Brown keeps calling the chemical restraints for the staff convenience. Is that a term widely used in the business? Or is it like a smoking area out of the rain, for "staff convenience."
What is this staff convenience?
First, the state tagged the hospital with lack of staff, so are we saying for the short staffing, we will convenience them by sedating patients to the point of little necessary care so we can get by with less staff?
Were all the drugs given for staff convenience or were some for patient and family convenience, as some patients would be prone to anxiety attacks, potential frightening hallucinations, depending upon what disease or diseases plague them?
That's where I'm thrown off of this whole argument. I'm all for the argument that the top manager, administrator, knew of some misuse of restraints, be it, chemical or physical restraints. They were popping the physical restraints like candy too, they just weren't as easy to swallow.
But what is missing is the short staffing causing mistakes and ratios of nurses and patients at a minimum, but definitely, more money for the hospital. That's the act of two top administrators, the CEO and CFO, as well as the "pleasure of the board."
So, there should be some sort of explanation for this oft repeated statement by the California AG, Jerry Brown. I'd love to hear it any time.
As I said in the previous post regarding the Attorney General Jerry Brown press release which for the first time in the history of this elder abuse case at the Kern Valley healthcare district, former CEO, Pamela Ott is mentioned alone in the story (a paragraph) being compared to the so -called elder abuser of the year, Mary Louise Wilson of San Diego for attempted murder by arson.
As I was writing about Pamela Ott, the CEO, of the Kern Valley Healthcare District prior, during and ...during the mess that would take place in the nursing center for "several years" (You could try to dispute the time frame, but it's not really disputable, as the records still in existence show.) which would degrade into the the safety hazard it became.
But a hazard, not announced such as the Toyota recall. Now that is something major a company would have to have the courage to do. Admit mistakes and begin to fix them.
That didn't happen at the Kern Valley Healthcare District. But I have a question, maybe somebody can answer for me.
Why is it that Jerry Brown keeps calling the chemical restraints for the staff convenience. Is that a term widely used in the business? Or is it like a smoking area out of the rain, for "staff convenience."
What is this staff convenience?
First, the state tagged the hospital with lack of staff, so are we saying for the short staffing, we will convenience them by sedating patients to the point of little necessary care so we can get by with less staff?
Were all the drugs given for staff convenience or were some for patient and family convenience, as some patients would be prone to anxiety attacks, potential frightening hallucinations, depending upon what disease or diseases plague them?
That's where I'm thrown off of this whole argument. I'm all for the argument that the top manager, administrator, knew of some misuse of restraints, be it, chemical or physical restraints. They were popping the physical restraints like candy too, they just weren't as easy to swallow.
But what is missing is the short staffing causing mistakes and ratios of nurses and patients at a minimum, but definitely, more money for the hospital. That's the act of two top administrators, the CEO and CFO, as well as the "pleasure of the board."
So, there should be some sort of explanation for this oft repeated statement by the California AG, Jerry Brown. I'd love to hear it any time.
KVHD elder abuse case possibly delayed again, June 22- Gwen Hughes filing bankruptcy?
The Kern County Superior court website is indicating there is will be a continuance request coming up June 22 rather than the much awaited preliminary hearing to see if there will be a trial ahead in the Kern Valley Healthcare District Elder Abuse Case.
The website also notes that defendant and former Director of Nursing, Gwen Hughes, is filing for bankruptcy. This may be the cause for the continuence but we won't know until Tuesday when the judge decides.
I will take the court date off to rest and will gather information for the blog that afternoon and give you an update.
The blog is being rearranged and you will be able to find much of the earlier posts now moved forward to be reviewed once again.
If you haven't read thru these posts they include taped interviews, radio defense team work, documents and news on the attorneys in the cases.
The website also notes that defendant and former Director of Nursing, Gwen Hughes, is filing for bankruptcy. This may be the cause for the continuence but we won't know until Tuesday when the judge decides.
I will take the court date off to rest and will gather information for the blog that afternoon and give you an update.
The blog is being rearranged and you will be able to find much of the earlier posts now moved forward to be reviewed once again.
If you haven't read thru these posts they include taped interviews, radio defense team work, documents and news on the attorneys in the cases.
UPDATED: Headline: "Elder abuse preliminary hearing set for June" the case is finally underway
UPDATE: Currently the Kern County Superior court web site indicates that there will be a hearing regarding a continuance in the Attorney General, Jerry Brown's elder abuse case against Pam Ott, Hoshang Pormir and Gwen Hughes formerly of the Kern Valley Healthcare District.
The site information also indicated that Gwen Hughes is filing for bankruptcy, which could be the need for a continuance in the case as she may be changing attorneys.
Well, I will likely not attend now, but I will get the information and pass it along Tuesday afternoon. As is explained below, this case hasn't even gotten to the point of trial, and they are still waiting to convene the preliminary hearing so that we can find out if there is enough evidence for trial.
The civil cases are hinging on the outcome of the preliminary hearing, so it looks like the families of the victims will have to wait again.
With a pattern of two month continuences, this could get back in court in August, and we will finally know if there will be a trial. Read below...
After more than a year since the original arrests and charges in the Kern Valley Healthcare District elder abuse case, the court has finally set the date for the preliminary hearing, which will be June 22 and 23 for all three defendants, Pamela Ott, Gwen Hughes, and Dr. Pormir.
Yes, it's a long process but finally we are here at,mid field, for football fans.
After speaking to one of the family members who is involved in one of the civil cases against the hospital nursing center claiming the chemical restraints caused the death of her mother, the families are more than a little anxious as the civil cases are currently on hold as the outcome of the criminal case is particularly important to those cases.
The preliminary hearing will be the judge basically deciding if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial in Superior court. And there could be witnesses called and all kinds of fun stuff and even the whole case or parts of the case, just being thrown out; anything can happen.
Bargains could be made, the judge could order bargains be made or new evidence and charges could be brought on; basically anything goes from now on it gets exciting.
We had been waiting to see that preliminary hearing date on the calendar and now they are lining up the witnesses and the elephants for the parade.
Sadly though these situations take years to resolve, so there is no expectation that just because the preliminary is on the calendar that there will be a organized chain of events which will follow.
Attorney's could ask for more time to prepare or prosecutors could be rummaging through the last of the evidence and witnesses and suddenly find the "magic evidence" that leads to truth and justice.
Considering every defense attorney out on the internet believes that more cases are settled without trial than with a trial, that would mean that bargains are yet to come.
Nothing will go quickly, unless there is a sudden need for a "speedy trial" as the defendants agreed to forgo a speedy preliminary trial after the last defendant in the case so far, Pam Ott, was brought in late for dinner, so it could happen.
But we still don't know about the attorney change that took place on Jan. 5, of this year, and came with a continuance as new criminal attorney for Dr. Pormir, Donald Etra, has yet to be seen or heard from. No pictures, no statement.
Yet Mr. Etra is quite a respected attorney of some merit. (which leads us to wonder what is he doing here?)
I'm sorry Mr. Etra, I am sure you are glad I decided to plead nolo sleepo Tuesday morning, and not attend the calendar change, as I would have been looking for you. I do hope to meet some day and ask why and how you got here to our white "by the collar," case?
So, the judge may get a shot at deciding whether to send this case upstairs, or deciding on other deals the kind done in chambers without court reporters. But the statistics show once we are here this judge doesn't have to decide if they are guilty without a doubt, they just decide if it looks bad enough to send upstairs to ICU, or I mean Superior Court.
Patience, this is the pace of the criminal calendar in Kern County, but we should keep a sharp eye now that things are coming closer to that preliminary hearing where we could be entertained with witnesses and evidence, and trying to figure out the strategies of all parties involved.
Personally, I think it has got to get interesting. I personally know the players involved; know what they are capable of; how they will protect themselves above anyone else; and then you throw in the likes of Jerry Brown, a new surreptitious attorney Donald Etra, and the potential for other "witnesses" or even "defendants" makes this nothing but must see TV...and then there's the spin off being filmed at the hospital right now.
The site information also indicated that Gwen Hughes is filing for bankruptcy, which could be the need for a continuance in the case as she may be changing attorneys.
Well, I will likely not attend now, but I will get the information and pass it along Tuesday afternoon. As is explained below, this case hasn't even gotten to the point of trial, and they are still waiting to convene the preliminary hearing so that we can find out if there is enough evidence for trial.
The civil cases are hinging on the outcome of the preliminary hearing, so it looks like the families of the victims will have to wait again.
With a pattern of two month continuences, this could get back in court in August, and we will finally know if there will be a trial. Read below...
After more than a year since the original arrests and charges in the Kern Valley Healthcare District elder abuse case, the court has finally set the date for the preliminary hearing, which will be June 22 and 23 for all three defendants, Pamela Ott, Gwen Hughes, and Dr. Pormir.
Yes, it's a long process but finally we are here at,mid field, for football fans.
After speaking to one of the family members who is involved in one of the civil cases against the hospital nursing center claiming the chemical restraints caused the death of her mother, the families are more than a little anxious as the civil cases are currently on hold as the outcome of the criminal case is particularly important to those cases.
The preliminary hearing will be the judge basically deciding if there is enough evidence to proceed to trial in Superior court. And there could be witnesses called and all kinds of fun stuff and even the whole case or parts of the case, just being thrown out; anything can happen.
Bargains could be made, the judge could order bargains be made or new evidence and charges could be brought on; basically anything goes from now on it gets exciting.
We had been waiting to see that preliminary hearing date on the calendar and now they are lining up the witnesses and the elephants for the parade.
Sadly though these situations take years to resolve, so there is no expectation that just because the preliminary is on the calendar that there will be a organized chain of events which will follow.
Attorney's could ask for more time to prepare or prosecutors could be rummaging through the last of the evidence and witnesses and suddenly find the "magic evidence" that leads to truth and justice.
Considering every defense attorney out on the internet believes that more cases are settled without trial than with a trial, that would mean that bargains are yet to come.
Nothing will go quickly, unless there is a sudden need for a "speedy trial" as the defendants agreed to forgo a speedy preliminary trial after the last defendant in the case so far, Pam Ott, was brought in late for dinner, so it could happen.
But we still don't know about the attorney change that took place on Jan. 5, of this year, and came with a continuance as new criminal attorney for Dr. Pormir, Donald Etra, has yet to be seen or heard from. No pictures, no statement.
Yet Mr. Etra is quite a respected attorney of some merit. (which leads us to wonder what is he doing here?)
I'm sorry Mr. Etra, I am sure you are glad I decided to plead nolo sleepo Tuesday morning, and not attend the calendar change, as I would have been looking for you. I do hope to meet some day and ask why and how you got here to our white "by the collar," case?
So, the judge may get a shot at deciding whether to send this case upstairs, or deciding on other deals the kind done in chambers without court reporters. But the statistics show once we are here this judge doesn't have to decide if they are guilty without a doubt, they just decide if it looks bad enough to send upstairs to ICU, or I mean Superior Court.
Patience, this is the pace of the criminal calendar in Kern County, but we should keep a sharp eye now that things are coming closer to that preliminary hearing where we could be entertained with witnesses and evidence, and trying to figure out the strategies of all parties involved.
Personally, I think it has got to get interesting. I personally know the players involved; know what they are capable of; how they will protect themselves above anyone else; and then you throw in the likes of Jerry Brown, a new surreptitious attorney Donald Etra, and the potential for other "witnesses" or even "defendants" makes this nothing but must see TV...and then there's the spin off being filmed at the hospital right now.
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Scared and impaired: what happened to KVHD?
I've wondered over the past three years how the leadership of a hospital could provoke a dangerous circumstance as that which happened here at the Kern Valley Healthcare District in Mt. Mesa, California.
These circumstances lead to four people being charged with counts of elder abuse and two counts of assault. One of the defendants plead to a lesser charge of conspiracy which makes her a witness now to some things that a judge and jury should hear.
The most recent acquisition by the state Bureau of Medi-cal Fraud and Elder abuse, was the former CEO/administrator of the KVHD hospital and skilled nursing facility, Pamela Ott, who was charged in September with eight counts of elder abuse.
She is currently on unpaid leave at her new job with Sierra Kings District in Reedley, CA.
Why would they pick up Miss Ott?
Ott was the top dog, the leader of the pack, and she lead this pack into dangerous territory, where employees did things they knew were wrong, and residents of the nursing facility suffered.
Why would they do this?
It's crossed my mind over and over that the only way to get people to do things they know are wrong and harmful, is to frighten them somehow.
When we are scared, our thinking becomes impaired.
Our employees saw things go on at KVHD that they KNEW were wrong. Some were even participants in the ghastly circumstances which took place. A few had serious problems and had emotional breakdowns because of the conflict. Staff quit, even moved out of this valley to get away, fleeing in fear.
Again how did the leadership do this?
They threatened them with their jobs, their licenses, their careers, their ability to support their families. And then they offered those who would keep quiet; praise, attention, and new higher paying positions.
The wreckage, the human indignities, were the impetus for the state of California to come in and investigate.
It was too late you know?
Department of Health Services had called on the skilled nursing facility during the time under investigation, Aug. 1/06 to Jan. 31/07, because, yes, there were a few that weren't afraid and impaired.
But the state oversight tends to lean towards management and give them every opportunity to skateboard around the park.
Imagine yourself in the shoes of these employees, what would you have done?
If we were talking about me, I would have done just what I'm doing now: finding justice no matter how long it takes. But other people have children to feed and care for, parents to assist, jobs to hold down, businesses to keep afloat in an environment polluted in small town politics, so it's not that easy to get involved.
Think of the difference it would have made if people came when the first alarms rang out. It's not like I wasn't getting my own calls for help, but didn't know exactly what to do.
I didn't get backing from the local paper I wrote for at the time, and the leaders of the hospital used the radio station to attack all who would disagree.
It all tied in that the powers that be were allowed to do some awful things and literally ruin lives, careers, but where they hit rock bottom, was how they treated the residents and their concerned families. (Paid them off too, keeps it quiet)
But we are talking about local people, who had taken care of their patients for years, then found themselves under the control of a new director of nursing who was given full charge of the nursing facility.
The propaganda was that the new director of nursing was "wonderful" and that she had "great" credentials to the point of being an "expert."
But it turns out credentials at KVHD are like "woops I fogot to look at that."
When the going gets tough...
Ott who continuously denied any "serious" problems with the skilled nursing cnter, and now has plead, in front of God and all of us who know, in the Kern County superior court, that she is "not guilty."
She got away with getting no bail, and having to spend no time in jail, too.
What was this about? I don't know and they won't tell me at the Department of Justice either. It's been more than a month and all I can get is, "oh yeah," I'll get back with you on that.
After being the fodder for a major news release from the Attorney General's office, as the worst elder abuse case in the history of elder abuse, or something like that, the Kern Valley and it's rural healthcare district have taken a beating.
Why is it so tough to take the people down from the top?
I would say it started with the slowness of the project. You gave them too much time to cover up the evidence. To rid themselves of employees, paperwork, medicine containers, and staffing reports.
Then we wonder that after all the work by the state, that there are still problems in the KVHD nursing center.
I will repeat that by allowing a grand jury investigation to slip by with handshakes and old friends; calls to the public health department full of sarcasm, and even a "we already know thank you."; HIPAA privacy violations left without a trace of sweat put into the complaints; Brown act crimes went on with unmistakable brazenness; and finally the mixture so poisonous it brought about criminal charges.
Now they did it with confidence and bluster.
The wool not only went over your eyes, but scratched your corneas.
Be right back...
These circumstances lead to four people being charged with counts of elder abuse and two counts of assault. One of the defendants plead to a lesser charge of conspiracy which makes her a witness now to some things that a judge and jury should hear.
The most recent acquisition by the state Bureau of Medi-cal Fraud and Elder abuse, was the former CEO/administrator of the KVHD hospital and skilled nursing facility, Pamela Ott, who was charged in September with eight counts of elder abuse.
She is currently on unpaid leave at her new job with Sierra Kings District in Reedley, CA.
Why would they pick up Miss Ott?
Ott was the top dog, the leader of the pack, and she lead this pack into dangerous territory, where employees did things they knew were wrong, and residents of the nursing facility suffered.
Why would they do this?
It's crossed my mind over and over that the only way to get people to do things they know are wrong and harmful, is to frighten them somehow.
When we are scared, our thinking becomes impaired.
Our employees saw things go on at KVHD that they KNEW were wrong. Some were even participants in the ghastly circumstances which took place. A few had serious problems and had emotional breakdowns because of the conflict. Staff quit, even moved out of this valley to get away, fleeing in fear.
Again how did the leadership do this?
They threatened them with their jobs, their licenses, their careers, their ability to support their families. And then they offered those who would keep quiet; praise, attention, and new higher paying positions.
The wreckage, the human indignities, were the impetus for the state of California to come in and investigate.
It was too late you know?
Department of Health Services had called on the skilled nursing facility during the time under investigation, Aug. 1/06 to Jan. 31/07, because, yes, there were a few that weren't afraid and impaired.
But the state oversight tends to lean towards management and give them every opportunity to skateboard around the park.
Imagine yourself in the shoes of these employees, what would you have done?
If we were talking about me, I would have done just what I'm doing now: finding justice no matter how long it takes. But other people have children to feed and care for, parents to assist, jobs to hold down, businesses to keep afloat in an environment polluted in small town politics, so it's not that easy to get involved.
Think of the difference it would have made if people came when the first alarms rang out. It's not like I wasn't getting my own calls for help, but didn't know exactly what to do.
I didn't get backing from the local paper I wrote for at the time, and the leaders of the hospital used the radio station to attack all who would disagree.
It all tied in that the powers that be were allowed to do some awful things and literally ruin lives, careers, but where they hit rock bottom, was how they treated the residents and their concerned families. (Paid them off too, keeps it quiet)
But we are talking about local people, who had taken care of their patients for years, then found themselves under the control of a new director of nursing who was given full charge of the nursing facility.
The propaganda was that the new director of nursing was "wonderful" and that she had "great" credentials to the point of being an "expert."
But it turns out credentials at KVHD are like "woops I fogot to look at that."
When the going gets tough...
Ott who continuously denied any "serious" problems with the skilled nursing cnter, and now has plead, in front of God and all of us who know, in the Kern County superior court, that she is "not guilty."
She got away with getting no bail, and having to spend no time in jail, too.
What was this about? I don't know and they won't tell me at the Department of Justice either. It's been more than a month and all I can get is, "oh yeah," I'll get back with you on that.
After being the fodder for a major news release from the Attorney General's office, as the worst elder abuse case in the history of elder abuse, or something like that, the Kern Valley and it's rural healthcare district have taken a beating.
Why is it so tough to take the people down from the top?
I would say it started with the slowness of the project. You gave them too much time to cover up the evidence. To rid themselves of employees, paperwork, medicine containers, and staffing reports.
Then we wonder that after all the work by the state, that there are still problems in the KVHD nursing center.
I will repeat that by allowing a grand jury investigation to slip by with handshakes and old friends; calls to the public health department full of sarcasm, and even a "we already know thank you."; HIPAA privacy violations left without a trace of sweat put into the complaints; Brown act crimes went on with unmistakable brazenness; and finally the mixture so poisonous it brought about criminal charges.
Now they did it with confidence and bluster.
The wool not only went over your eyes, but scratched your corneas.
Be right back...
Waiting for the world to change...I'm using the express lane
"Pray for the dead and fight like hell for the living."
Mother Jones
I guess this could be called a memorial for the fallen employees of KVHD. And most certainly for the people who trusted the hospital with their care and care for their loved ones.
Some employees just left before the gunshots were heard when former CEO, and main conspirator in the skilled nursing facility fiasco, Pam Ott resigned in May of 2007.
Ott knew she was cornered, the emails were flying, the Kern Valley Revitalization forum was rocking, and requested SNF manuals were flung out the CEO's door at me. (Whizzing just past my head I might add. Remember that Heidi?)
The newspaper was being pressured, as I was demanding information and answers from an arrogant "public healthcare district" not used to being put on the spot.
I told Ott, "I've got so many knives in my back, all you're hitting is metal," as she took shot after shot at me. The new mantra was that I was trying to take down the district. Just like the Knights.
Funny thing, people were biting on that crap like hungry trout.
Little did I know they were willing to sink to any level to protect themselves...
Well, she and the rest of her gang, took the biggest and best shot at me they could, right through the heart: the employees who knew me or about the SNF were fired, abused, mislead; and I cracked.
The day I took that missile they knew they had me. I dropped hard to the floor: the thud could be heard around the valley.
I cared about all the people who were helping in the initial investigation, who were taking care of their families, just trying to do their job, and these criminals didn't give a damn about anyone but themselves. It was the most dismal display of cover your own ass I have ever seen.
The shock of learning in the first place that people I thought I could trust were the very slime which was and is the rotten core of KVHD was tough enough. Then watching from the floor as they walked all over everyone, scapegoating as they went along, I knew I had to get back up, somehow.
There is a ninth inning, and I'm now up at bat. And I've got my Louisville Slugger with me. And I'm a great curveball hitter now too.
Before I came back in the game I made sure that everyone on my team never admitted to knowing me, liking me, or certainly talking to me.
(Actually, Chet Beedle, CFO, had the employees certain they were next on the hit list if they talked to me or about me. My wounds were not tended in the emergency room out of employee paranoia. I don't blame them, they were just trying to keep their jobs in a town where the hospital rates as number one employer.)
People in the community who have been my supporters were equally warned by me not to admit to knowing the likes of me. That way I get good information about what is really being said and going on. And I had to make sure I was covered and nobody got hurt, again.
Now, there's no more fooling around. Let me explain.
That's it!
When my parrot is out roaming she often finds some way to get into trouble. I correct her only so many times before the final words, "that's it."
She knows immediately I'm completely serious and her bad deeds will now come to an end: she gets a time out in her cage.
So, I'm telling you Beedle/Ott gang, I'm done correcting, "that's it."
If anyone thinks I'm not serious then you will be sideswiped. This last meeting was only a small taste of what I'm capable of and now you're going to have to just guess what's coming next.
And Pam Ott I'm not done with you either. I'll see you in court and hopefully at your own trial.
Our government oversight officials shouldn't count out some face time with me as I'm tired of writing and asking them to do what they are supposed to be doing. We will bring our cameras with us too. Pictures are just plain fun.
Don't forget this is a public healthcare district, and I plan on giving it back to the public, warts and all. (Former board member, JoAnn Jones, angry with me, said in an email: why don't you just use a match and burn it down. (The hospital.) JoAnn, did you not know about the advent of lighters? And I will use mine to light the fireworks only; ooh, pretty.)
First you clean the wound then you stitch it up otherwise you've got a puss problem. KVHD has a puss problem.
Does the new leadership have the back bone for this? There's some heavy lifting required.
People say, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and the grand canyon took years of natural erosion to create. I say, Rome was a "Pre-fab" and the grand canyon took a week with a Catepiller tractor.
I know there are so many of you out there "waiting for the world to change." I'm here to tell you I'm tired of waiting...
Mother Jones
I guess this could be called a memorial for the fallen employees of KVHD. And most certainly for the people who trusted the hospital with their care and care for their loved ones.
Some employees just left before the gunshots were heard when former CEO, and main conspirator in the skilled nursing facility fiasco, Pam Ott resigned in May of 2007.
Ott knew she was cornered, the emails were flying, the Kern Valley Revitalization forum was rocking, and requested SNF manuals were flung out the CEO's door at me. (Whizzing just past my head I might add. Remember that Heidi?)
The newspaper was being pressured, as I was demanding information and answers from an arrogant "public healthcare district" not used to being put on the spot.
I told Ott, "I've got so many knives in my back, all you're hitting is metal," as she took shot after shot at me. The new mantra was that I was trying to take down the district. Just like the Knights.
Funny thing, people were biting on that crap like hungry trout.
Little did I know they were willing to sink to any level to protect themselves...
Well, she and the rest of her gang, took the biggest and best shot at me they could, right through the heart: the employees who knew me or about the SNF were fired, abused, mislead; and I cracked.
The day I took that missile they knew they had me. I dropped hard to the floor: the thud could be heard around the valley.
I cared about all the people who were helping in the initial investigation, who were taking care of their families, just trying to do their job, and these criminals didn't give a damn about anyone but themselves. It was the most dismal display of cover your own ass I have ever seen.
The shock of learning in the first place that people I thought I could trust were the very slime which was and is the rotten core of KVHD was tough enough. Then watching from the floor as they walked all over everyone, scapegoating as they went along, I knew I had to get back up, somehow.
There is a ninth inning, and I'm now up at bat. And I've got my Louisville Slugger with me. And I'm a great curveball hitter now too.
Before I came back in the game I made sure that everyone on my team never admitted to knowing me, liking me, or certainly talking to me.
(Actually, Chet Beedle, CFO, had the employees certain they were next on the hit list if they talked to me or about me. My wounds were not tended in the emergency room out of employee paranoia. I don't blame them, they were just trying to keep their jobs in a town where the hospital rates as number one employer.)
People in the community who have been my supporters were equally warned by me not to admit to knowing the likes of me. That way I get good information about what is really being said and going on. And I had to make sure I was covered and nobody got hurt, again.
Now, there's no more fooling around. Let me explain.
That's it!
When my parrot is out roaming she often finds some way to get into trouble. I correct her only so many times before the final words, "that's it."
She knows immediately I'm completely serious and her bad deeds will now come to an end: she gets a time out in her cage.
So, I'm telling you Beedle/Ott gang, I'm done correcting, "that's it."
If anyone thinks I'm not serious then you will be sideswiped. This last meeting was only a small taste of what I'm capable of and now you're going to have to just guess what's coming next.
And Pam Ott I'm not done with you either. I'll see you in court and hopefully at your own trial.
Our government oversight officials shouldn't count out some face time with me as I'm tired of writing and asking them to do what they are supposed to be doing. We will bring our cameras with us too. Pictures are just plain fun.
Don't forget this is a public healthcare district, and I plan on giving it back to the public, warts and all. (Former board member, JoAnn Jones, angry with me, said in an email: why don't you just use a match and burn it down. (The hospital.) JoAnn, did you not know about the advent of lighters? And I will use mine to light the fireworks only; ooh, pretty.)
First you clean the wound then you stitch it up otherwise you've got a puss problem. KVHD has a puss problem.
Does the new leadership have the back bone for this? There's some heavy lifting required.
People say, "Rome wasn't built in a day," and the grand canyon took years of natural erosion to create. I say, Rome was a "Pre-fab" and the grand canyon took a week with a Catepiller tractor.
I know there are so many of you out there "waiting for the world to change." I'm here to tell you I'm tired of waiting...
The anatomy of a news story...what you think you know and may just react to
What's news?
People these days barely have time to read a news story all the way to the end, and probably no time to question and understand it.
People these days barely have time to read a news story all the way to the end, and probably no time to question and understand it.
And reporters and writers, have less time, get less money, trying to give you all the facts and details.
Those are just some of the factors which play out in how you get your information. (Processing it: well that's a whole other matter)
Even if you did have all day long to read, you would still have to spend just as much time on the Internet or the library researching to see if you were sold a bill of goods. A fact is not a fact, just because I or someone else says it is.
I remember my favorite day of the week was Sunday, as I knew I would spend it ensconced in newspaper, black ink on my fingertips. Those big, bulky papers, too big to roll up, so they had to be folded in half for delivery, contained a whole section of comics, sports, pull out magazines, world news, and Lot's of puzzles you couldn't get the answer to until the following Sunday. (no cheating)
I grew up with the LA Times and the Orange County Register, Indianapolis Star, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, and then on to the Wall Street Journal, and our local newspapers which monitored what these other huge news superstars couldn't.
The gap.
My father was always going to city council meetings about something. He wouldn't be seen as an activist, he simply knew that certain things got done and local government was how to achieve these aims.
It was pretty matter of fact that my father argued with the state of Arizona over his property taxes and then found out how to avoid the rise in costs.
Many people don't know how to utilize local government, which is always labyrinth like no matter how small the area.
Community newspapers should consider it their responsibility to cover all the local issues that cannot be addressed by the larger organizations. It should be first and foremost to keep the community "covered" as so many things get lost.
There are dozens of clubs, small franchise organizations, children's sports and hobbies, that rely on local news coverage to survive as fundraisers, memberships, and donations are necessary if they're going to be here next year.
Anything which has any urgency to the community, such as a change in laws, road construction, weather conditions, safety issues such as unqualified leaders in a hospital promoting the use of drugs that settle unwanted behaviors in patients which would require more staffing of which there wasn't, SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS.
How do you know?
Well, let's take a story, and examine the origins and what you know about it. Here's a good one: what happened at our hospital with the news coverage.
The incidents and practices of chemical restraints used at the Kern Valley Skilled Nursing Facility between Aug. 1 thru Jan. 31, 2007, were investigated by the state of California Office of Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse bureau, in 2008, after Department of public health scrambled around for more than a year gathering the confetti.
Now, there were a lot of us here who could tell this story from many perspectives.
But the investigators wrote their reports, jotted down notes, took recordings, removed the leftover evidence after the shredding and illegal tampering, and went home with it.
The lawyers then looked at what the investigators had, fit it into a winning scenario, added some charges to coordinate the outfit, spun the situation for their own purposes, then sent that case off with a, "next."
From the original incidences, witnesses, the perpetrators, the ombudsman, the department of public health investigators, the state investigators, to the lawyers, and finally, lovingly into the hands of the press.
Our bad boys of public relations at the DOJ, Scott Gerber and Evan Westhrupp, were pumping up the volume with one too many Starbucks on this day, and probably found the material to be quite viable for an attention getter of a story.
They did what millions of us out here do, spin baby spin.
They are public relations, the PR, the authors of press releases which go out to every news organization they can get them to. If they go in verbatim, the better.
That was one of the first things I did in the news business was to re-write the press releases, trying to drain them of some of the spin, before they would go in the paper.
Now, I see that practice has changed, as most of the coverage brought about by our local "hot topic" almost all coverage came from those press releases. Some with follow up calls, but not many.
So, now, do any of you here know Scott or Evan the authors of the press release about KVHD? (I don't know, I thought I'd ask, it is a small world up here)
But the newspaper, radio and TV will tell you that they're safe when they stick with this release. It wasn't there mistake it was Scott, he did it.
It was hot news, so the PR boys and their press releases flooded the information market as speed out runs accuracy.
You might find it funny, but ask either of the PR boys if they thought the press "got" what they said in the release right.
As the information comes down these channels, it gets a marked change as it goes through many filters. The attorney general has his slant as he is creating an image of fighting for the people as this might help him win the governors seat this next election.
Hey, its just the truth, we all have spin. (Only some of us admit it)
Now, you're a nurse, fired from KVHD, you break your last dollar to purchase the local newspaper and then you read the story...and you know its not what you experienced...and the bulk of the story comes from a stranger's interpretation a few hundred miles away in Sacramento in the form of a press release...but this is your local paper, your neighbor, what happened?
And then your grandmother has died under suspicious circumstances; family were frequent visitors to the KVHD skilled nursing facility but you weren't notified of changes made in the treatment; none of your questions were answered and you are labeled a simple "complainer."
You tune in the local radio station, the only one broadcasting for our area, and hear that CEO, Pam Ott, is on the radio with KVHD board member, Bob Jamison, and they're talking about rumors, laughing off claims that people died in this or that way, and you decide to call.
Taking action, you call in and after having to make your point sharp, you are then placated by Pam Ott, who tells you she's sorry, and she would like you to come in and talk to her. (But you'd have to make it quick as she was on her way out, just waiting for that job at Sierra Kings to come through)
Ott forgets and can't see your face, that you have already been to the hospital many times, trying to obtain paperwork, which you never could get all copies, and you realize this is the local media misleading and covering for a public healthcare district.
You're on the air...
Those are just some of the factors which play out in how you get your information. (Processing it: well that's a whole other matter)
Even if you did have all day long to read, you would still have to spend just as much time on the Internet or the library researching to see if you were sold a bill of goods. A fact is not a fact, just because I or someone else says it is.
I remember my favorite day of the week was Sunday, as I knew I would spend it ensconced in newspaper, black ink on my fingertips. Those big, bulky papers, too big to roll up, so they had to be folded in half for delivery, contained a whole section of comics, sports, pull out magazines, world news, and Lot's of puzzles you couldn't get the answer to until the following Sunday. (no cheating)
I grew up with the LA Times and the Orange County Register, Indianapolis Star, San Jose Mercury News, San Francisco Chronicle, and then on to the Wall Street Journal, and our local newspapers which monitored what these other huge news superstars couldn't.
The gap.
My father was always going to city council meetings about something. He wouldn't be seen as an activist, he simply knew that certain things got done and local government was how to achieve these aims.
It was pretty matter of fact that my father argued with the state of Arizona over his property taxes and then found out how to avoid the rise in costs.
Many people don't know how to utilize local government, which is always labyrinth like no matter how small the area.
Community newspapers should consider it their responsibility to cover all the local issues that cannot be addressed by the larger organizations. It should be first and foremost to keep the community "covered" as so many things get lost.
There are dozens of clubs, small franchise organizations, children's sports and hobbies, that rely on local news coverage to survive as fundraisers, memberships, and donations are necessary if they're going to be here next year.
Anything which has any urgency to the community, such as a change in laws, road construction, weather conditions, safety issues such as unqualified leaders in a hospital promoting the use of drugs that settle unwanted behaviors in patients which would require more staffing of which there wasn't, SHOULD BE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE LOCAL NEWS OUTLETS.
How do you know?
Well, let's take a story, and examine the origins and what you know about it. Here's a good one: what happened at our hospital with the news coverage.
The incidents and practices of chemical restraints used at the Kern Valley Skilled Nursing Facility between Aug. 1 thru Jan. 31, 2007, were investigated by the state of California Office of Medi-Cal fraud and elder abuse bureau, in 2008, after Department of public health scrambled around for more than a year gathering the confetti.
Now, there were a lot of us here who could tell this story from many perspectives.
But the investigators wrote their reports, jotted down notes, took recordings, removed the leftover evidence after the shredding and illegal tampering, and went home with it.
The lawyers then looked at what the investigators had, fit it into a winning scenario, added some charges to coordinate the outfit, spun the situation for their own purposes, then sent that case off with a, "next."
From the original incidences, witnesses, the perpetrators, the ombudsman, the department of public health investigators, the state investigators, to the lawyers, and finally, lovingly into the hands of the press.
Our bad boys of public relations at the DOJ, Scott Gerber and Evan Westhrupp, were pumping up the volume with one too many Starbucks on this day, and probably found the material to be quite viable for an attention getter of a story.
They did what millions of us out here do, spin baby spin.
They are public relations, the PR, the authors of press releases which go out to every news organization they can get them to. If they go in verbatim, the better.
That was one of the first things I did in the news business was to re-write the press releases, trying to drain them of some of the spin, before they would go in the paper.
Now, I see that practice has changed, as most of the coverage brought about by our local "hot topic" almost all coverage came from those press releases. Some with follow up calls, but not many.
So, now, do any of you here know Scott or Evan the authors of the press release about KVHD? (I don't know, I thought I'd ask, it is a small world up here)
But the newspaper, radio and TV will tell you that they're safe when they stick with this release. It wasn't there mistake it was Scott, he did it.
It was hot news, so the PR boys and their press releases flooded the information market as speed out runs accuracy.
You might find it funny, but ask either of the PR boys if they thought the press "got" what they said in the release right.
As the information comes down these channels, it gets a marked change as it goes through many filters. The attorney general has his slant as he is creating an image of fighting for the people as this might help him win the governors seat this next election.
Hey, its just the truth, we all have spin. (Only some of us admit it)
Now, you're a nurse, fired from KVHD, you break your last dollar to purchase the local newspaper and then you read the story...and you know its not what you experienced...and the bulk of the story comes from a stranger's interpretation a few hundred miles away in Sacramento in the form of a press release...but this is your local paper, your neighbor, what happened?
And then your grandmother has died under suspicious circumstances; family were frequent visitors to the KVHD skilled nursing facility but you weren't notified of changes made in the treatment; none of your questions were answered and you are labeled a simple "complainer."
You tune in the local radio station, the only one broadcasting for our area, and hear that CEO, Pam Ott, is on the radio with KVHD board member, Bob Jamison, and they're talking about rumors, laughing off claims that people died in this or that way, and you decide to call.
Taking action, you call in and after having to make your point sharp, you are then placated by Pam Ott, who tells you she's sorry, and she would like you to come in and talk to her. (But you'd have to make it quick as she was on her way out, just waiting for that job at Sierra Kings to come through)
Ott forgets and can't see your face, that you have already been to the hospital many times, trying to obtain paperwork, which you never could get all copies, and you realize this is the local media misleading and covering for a public healthcare district.
You're on the air...
The filtration media used on this blog...yes, we're all bias, and so are you reader. What?
The stories we read and hear in the media are mostly remote and distant from the actual events being reported on.
(I've yet to be invited to the White House, but I still care what is going on there. And, who knows, maybe someday they'll have me over for a chat. Hey, my life has been such that just about anything can happen.)
I think I've made that point heavily on this blog, but there is more to say, as I've transformed myself from an average reporter to someone with a whole new journalistic style: I like to call it "facts and smacks."
But this blog is alive, there's a writer, a person, a whole lifetime of experience which the stories I write have to go through in the filtration process.
You may never know or ever see the reporter from the LA Times who sits behind his name and title, writing from a perspective not that all of us will understand nor care about.
Even our brethren newspaper in Bakersfield is a mystery as to who is writing, why they are writing it, and why they write the story from the angle they do.
I don't know them, their lives, their marketing strategy, but I glean what I can from the paper, with a certain respect that they are doing the best they can to give us a look at what they think is important to write about and print.
The TV stations do blurbs about us in the mountains above Bakersfield, usually with mangled wrecks from the canyon on the five O'clock news, or just video of our elder abuse defendants from the Kern Valley Healthcare District.
(making a point about how this story could even be properly covered by a TV or radio station, even a newspaper would be overwhelmed with this Kern Valley Healthcare District drama. That's why there are now almost 200 blog posts up)
TV does not have time to get anymore than a video bite and a few quotes and lines for the story. They do have the advantage of having the ability to get breaking news to many people in short order, which is important in case of emergencies, fires, road closures, earthquakes, major governmental decisions, untimely deaths, etc.
So, they have their role to play, but more often than not, they try to squeeze a complicated story into a two minutes of air time, and it can become the source of misinformation by virtue of the inability to bring enough of the picture together to make a whole portrait.
The job is tough one, but we are all bias, and all confined by some limitation, whether it be our own personal values, or the media outlet we work for.
I'm so happy to be away from the constraints of the media market, as this blog runs off air and handouts, I have successfully found the freedom to write what I deem important and interesting. And how I write it is no longer going through an editor. (Love you editors, you catch our mistakes before they're published, and then you load us with stories we can't possibly complete, but reporter types are definitely gluttens for punishment.)
There is one thing though, that makes this different, is that I take full responsibility for what is put on this blog. If I make the mistakes it doesn't fall on my editor or corporation it hits me right in the face. But I recognize my responsibility to my readers and actually like it. When I make mistakes, I will be the first to tell you. So, it's a freedom/responsibility combination that makes this endeavor so appealing to me.
You're biased too: don't you realize?
How seriously you take the stories are based on your own filters which means maybe if your healthy and have never been sick in your life, you probably won't open the paper or this blog, to find out all you can about about healthcare issues or reform.
However, your parents are in a nursing home, you turn right to any article that concerns elder abuse or anything to do with diseases of age.
Then there are those interested in crime and punishment, because...they may just like CSI Miami, or have an interest in the inhumanity glaring at them constantly from our media.
I'm not sure why, but I watched the OJ case for months, felt like I knew those people by the time it was over. I even went to the crime scene on Bundy and came up with my own theory. (I still have the pictures somewhere)
I also took off work to watch the Iran/Contra hearings, because it was intriguing to me that our President, Ronald Reagan, was allowing others below him to take the fall (Ollie never fell though) or responsibility for the decisions of our ultimate leader.
My favorite thing to watch for when I actually turn on the TV, which is seldom, but I like to see what the news is teasing. You know what I mean, the story they say is coming up, and you wait through the top stories, the weather, sports and finally they tell you about the pit bulls who ate a house full of babies.
Pit bulls are great stories, everyone talks about it. Now they have all these television shows which provoke our fears about animals: "When animals attack," "When animals hate the postman," "When bears eat your honey," etc.
So, we are being used by the media as they have discovered we will turn on the news if they can scare us half to death.
Not that journalism was ever perfect, it cannot be. Again, its an interpretation being reinterpretted.
What this filter is made of: my bias
If you wonder why I'm doing what I'm doing, you're not alone, I wonder every night, but there are always good reasons and the real reason.
First, I'm an idealist who will fight for principles and values I hold true. I've been in the middle of many wars, this isn't my first tour.
The Casmalia toxic waste issue almost got me thrown out on my ass by secret service.
I've been in the middle of a teacher's strike. Unions versus school board: very inflammatory stuff. Both sides were on the attack, but the school board handled the situation about as badly as could be done. They personally defamed teachers while having an expensive dinner paid for by the district so they could talk about it. (The teachers won, and well they deserved it considering how they were treated.)
Then there was the issue of racism with the farmworkers who lived on the coast and woke up every early morning to pick the food we all shop for at the supermarket. Boy, that was one for the books. The ugliness that came out was something I don't even like remembering.
So, when I write, I can write from all sides, but there is always a stronger version that makes balance almost impossible.
I expect readers to think about what I have written, and not just take an informational handout.
People used to think if there was a cover on a book, or a white coat on a doctor, or a uniform, that it had the credibility and authority.
We all know now that is not true. We have to make sure we filter junk just like our email programs.
So, I'm a Pollyanna, a person of little intelligence, but one of integrity.
Now, let's go on to a more personal perspective. I was damaged by an antibiotic, called Gentamicin, which is an aminoglycoside, and it has all the potential to heal serious infections, but it also has to be handled carefully as it can cause permanent neurological damage.
I was never told about the side effects or what to watch for. So, when the damage occurred I didn't even know there was a relationship between the medicine and my sudden imbalance and blindness.
My life has not been always one of illness, though it is now, it was one of independence and physical strength and prowess.
The dealings I had with doctors were usually concerned with injuries from sports and other physical activities such as climbing and hiking, or my friendly GP was a good friend, we talked regularly.
Then years later I trusted a doctor over my own instincts. That was Oct. 1, 1999, when everything changed because I was not informed about the medication I was on.
You would think that would be enough, as I spent three years working to recover from this life long damage and try to start my life over without all the things I used to love: hiking, climbing, biking, swimming and reading.
I lost all my stress relievers as well as my own self image changed. I felt weak and victimized.
But again, my family and friends, picked me up off the floor and told me to "just keep going."
So, it was building things, climbing ladders, taking care of small children, gardening, reading until it hurt, and I had thought I had overcome the biggest obstacle of my life.
It wasn't the biggest obstacle I would face though
After three years, I had put on more weight and muscle than I had ever carried in my life, and I was ready to get back to it. But I didn't know what it was I was going back to, or more like forward to.
Suddenly, my recovery took a turn, and I was losing all that weight and muscle I had put on. I began to shake all the time and my hair was falling out.
What was I going to do? Not a doctor, hell no. I was scared to death of doctors at that point. But I was as mad as hell at the pharmaceutical industry and their half poison/half cure treatments.
I left my family on the coast as I knew I was sick and I didn't want them to be burdened again with my problems.
What I did was drop my parrot off with my friend, threw some clothes in a bag and took off looking for a den to crawl into. It was completely random, I could have thrown darts into a board, but this is where I ended up.
I headed straight into the mountains and found this isolated valley I had visited when I was young.
I came here to die
The Kern River Valley was my choice of places to die, because by the time I got here, the Grave's disease I was suffering from, had progressed to the point where I was unable to breath well enough to take the trash out and could not sleep at all. My heart pounded in my chest, my hands shook like palsy, while I kept losing weight.
I knew I was very sick, but I couldn't bring myself to go to the doctor. Until my neighbor above the antique store in Kernville, insisted that I go to see someone. Actually threatened to take me to the ER more like it.
Out of desperation I did go to the doctor, over to our Rural Health Clinic, where I would meet with my second destiny: the healthcare fight of my life.
They quickly diagnosed me initially with Grave's disease, but it was all downhill from there.
Unlike the prejudice I have encountered when I became disabled, I had no intention of living my life on medication in front of the television. I like to work and I also believe strongly in service to the community.
So, I have not been playing on the lake or laying around feeling sorry for myself. I've been trying to recover and work.
After some treatment, I began to feel like I could once again be part of the world. I had gained weight, been in an exercise class at the college, and was writing like crazy for the local paper (whom we will be discussing soon). Things were looking up.
However, in October of 2006, as the hospital was covering its dirty dealings in the skilled nursing facility and elsewhere, I again, lost the weight, strength and again was the shell of what I once was.
It all happened on my watch
While I struggled with this current downhill slide, which is still being diagnosed, (should know this week) the hospital administrators knew I was not much of a threat at 90 pounds.
They lied openly and even had these untruths in the newspaper. I didn't know, I was sick, and hanging on for my life. But that's no excuse, I didn't do my job. (If you can't do it right, you shouldn't be doing it. Just heard that somewhere.)
So many people were hurt here while I struggled simply to get out of bed. But I knew the moment, I had the strength, I would flush them out, and do what needed to be done.
Unfortunately, later in that year, out of complete physical weakness, I fell and hit my head, face, on the side of a tub. Ten days later I stroked out which caused more nerve damage; half my face is numb. (not just my skull)
You'd think it would have been over then, I did, but you can't ever count me out, ever.
September 2008: I came back
With my family again taking care of me, I worked to recover from the injuries from the fall, the stroke, then the current illness, which is likely Lupus, and came back to my house in the valley late last year.
No, no help from the rural health clinic, but we're going to take that up next: A Patient's plea: a rural health nightmare.
But now you know how this whole thing started. You know the filter I have. I care about people, principles, and my service to life.
I've been told "you can't take sides you're supposed to be impartial." Whatever, that's so old school. Nobody is impartial.
Let me also say this isn't a personal attack. (Oh, you liar Laura Hart) If it was then I would not be doing this.
For me, it's about progress and change. If nobody "Speak's Up" then the mistakes aren't caught and changed.
I'll give you an example of my bias. The Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy, which is sitting next to Chet Beedle's knife on the cutting board, was my pharmacy for the last five years.
I know the people there and they absolutely HATE ME. I've yelled at them for bad service; called them repeatedly on their mistakes; and generally there's a rift between us. Personally.
However, as a writer, and concerned citizen, I will fight for them to be treated right by this district, keep their jobs, and be paid an adequate wage.
I'm for fairness. If that's a problem, you shouldn't be reading this blog.
(Get ready though, there is going to be some bare knuckle brawling going on soon, as the state of California better be ready to prosecute the situation here at KVHD. Pam Ott is going to court on November third and fourth, and I am going to make sure you know why.)
Bob's bias: just to let you know the radio station of the valley, our only one, as signals get lost out there in the mountain range, had a story about the October board meeting. Yeah, Bob Jamison, KVHD board member, reported his own story from the board. I guess "smooth news" was busy, or tied up in Bob's trunk.
The story of the board meeting turned out on the radio as Jamison's attempt to close the pharmacy and stop wasting time and money. He was the protagonist in their story. (Good luck community. You're getting the news from a really "impartial" source there.)
Thanks Bob. That's so informative. I'll keep that in mind. (Jeez)
(I've yet to be invited to the White House, but I still care what is going on there. And, who knows, maybe someday they'll have me over for a chat. Hey, my life has been such that just about anything can happen.)
I think I've made that point heavily on this blog, but there is more to say, as I've transformed myself from an average reporter to someone with a whole new journalistic style: I like to call it "facts and smacks."
But this blog is alive, there's a writer, a person, a whole lifetime of experience which the stories I write have to go through in the filtration process.
You may never know or ever see the reporter from the LA Times who sits behind his name and title, writing from a perspective not that all of us will understand nor care about.
Even our brethren newspaper in Bakersfield is a mystery as to who is writing, why they are writing it, and why they write the story from the angle they do.
I don't know them, their lives, their marketing strategy, but I glean what I can from the paper, with a certain respect that they are doing the best they can to give us a look at what they think is important to write about and print.
The TV stations do blurbs about us in the mountains above Bakersfield, usually with mangled wrecks from the canyon on the five O'clock news, or just video of our elder abuse defendants from the Kern Valley Healthcare District.
(making a point about how this story could even be properly covered by a TV or radio station, even a newspaper would be overwhelmed with this Kern Valley Healthcare District drama. That's why there are now almost 200 blog posts up)
TV does not have time to get anymore than a video bite and a few quotes and lines for the story. They do have the advantage of having the ability to get breaking news to many people in short order, which is important in case of emergencies, fires, road closures, earthquakes, major governmental decisions, untimely deaths, etc.
So, they have their role to play, but more often than not, they try to squeeze a complicated story into a two minutes of air time, and it can become the source of misinformation by virtue of the inability to bring enough of the picture together to make a whole portrait.
The job is tough one, but we are all bias, and all confined by some limitation, whether it be our own personal values, or the media outlet we work for.
I'm so happy to be away from the constraints of the media market, as this blog runs off air and handouts, I have successfully found the freedom to write what I deem important and interesting. And how I write it is no longer going through an editor. (Love you editors, you catch our mistakes before they're published, and then you load us with stories we can't possibly complete, but reporter types are definitely gluttens for punishment.)
There is one thing though, that makes this different, is that I take full responsibility for what is put on this blog. If I make the mistakes it doesn't fall on my editor or corporation it hits me right in the face. But I recognize my responsibility to my readers and actually like it. When I make mistakes, I will be the first to tell you. So, it's a freedom/responsibility combination that makes this endeavor so appealing to me.
You're biased too: don't you realize?
How seriously you take the stories are based on your own filters which means maybe if your healthy and have never been sick in your life, you probably won't open the paper or this blog, to find out all you can about about healthcare issues or reform.
However, your parents are in a nursing home, you turn right to any article that concerns elder abuse or anything to do with diseases of age.
Then there are those interested in crime and punishment, because...they may just like CSI Miami, or have an interest in the inhumanity glaring at them constantly from our media.
I'm not sure why, but I watched the OJ case for months, felt like I knew those people by the time it was over. I even went to the crime scene on Bundy and came up with my own theory. (I still have the pictures somewhere)
I also took off work to watch the Iran/Contra hearings, because it was intriguing to me that our President, Ronald Reagan, was allowing others below him to take the fall (Ollie never fell though) or responsibility for the decisions of our ultimate leader.
My favorite thing to watch for when I actually turn on the TV, which is seldom, but I like to see what the news is teasing. You know what I mean, the story they say is coming up, and you wait through the top stories, the weather, sports and finally they tell you about the pit bulls who ate a house full of babies.
Pit bulls are great stories, everyone talks about it. Now they have all these television shows which provoke our fears about animals: "When animals attack," "When animals hate the postman," "When bears eat your honey," etc.
So, we are being used by the media as they have discovered we will turn on the news if they can scare us half to death.
Not that journalism was ever perfect, it cannot be. Again, its an interpretation being reinterpretted.
What this filter is made of: my bias
If you wonder why I'm doing what I'm doing, you're not alone, I wonder every night, but there are always good reasons and the real reason.
First, I'm an idealist who will fight for principles and values I hold true. I've been in the middle of many wars, this isn't my first tour.
The Casmalia toxic waste issue almost got me thrown out on my ass by secret service.
I've been in the middle of a teacher's strike. Unions versus school board: very inflammatory stuff. Both sides were on the attack, but the school board handled the situation about as badly as could be done. They personally defamed teachers while having an expensive dinner paid for by the district so they could talk about it. (The teachers won, and well they deserved it considering how they were treated.)
Then there was the issue of racism with the farmworkers who lived on the coast and woke up every early morning to pick the food we all shop for at the supermarket. Boy, that was one for the books. The ugliness that came out was something I don't even like remembering.
So, when I write, I can write from all sides, but there is always a stronger version that makes balance almost impossible.
I expect readers to think about what I have written, and not just take an informational handout.
People used to think if there was a cover on a book, or a white coat on a doctor, or a uniform, that it had the credibility and authority.
We all know now that is not true. We have to make sure we filter junk just like our email programs.
So, I'm a Pollyanna, a person of little intelligence, but one of integrity.
Now, let's go on to a more personal perspective. I was damaged by an antibiotic, called Gentamicin, which is an aminoglycoside, and it has all the potential to heal serious infections, but it also has to be handled carefully as it can cause permanent neurological damage.
I was never told about the side effects or what to watch for. So, when the damage occurred I didn't even know there was a relationship between the medicine and my sudden imbalance and blindness.
My life has not been always one of illness, though it is now, it was one of independence and physical strength and prowess.
The dealings I had with doctors were usually concerned with injuries from sports and other physical activities such as climbing and hiking, or my friendly GP was a good friend, we talked regularly.
Then years later I trusted a doctor over my own instincts. That was Oct. 1, 1999, when everything changed because I was not informed about the medication I was on.
You would think that would be enough, as I spent three years working to recover from this life long damage and try to start my life over without all the things I used to love: hiking, climbing, biking, swimming and reading.
I lost all my stress relievers as well as my own self image changed. I felt weak and victimized.
But again, my family and friends, picked me up off the floor and told me to "just keep going."
So, it was building things, climbing ladders, taking care of small children, gardening, reading until it hurt, and I had thought I had overcome the biggest obstacle of my life.
It wasn't the biggest obstacle I would face though
After three years, I had put on more weight and muscle than I had ever carried in my life, and I was ready to get back to it. But I didn't know what it was I was going back to, or more like forward to.
Suddenly, my recovery took a turn, and I was losing all that weight and muscle I had put on. I began to shake all the time and my hair was falling out.
What was I going to do? Not a doctor, hell no. I was scared to death of doctors at that point. But I was as mad as hell at the pharmaceutical industry and their half poison/half cure treatments.
I left my family on the coast as I knew I was sick and I didn't want them to be burdened again with my problems.
What I did was drop my parrot off with my friend, threw some clothes in a bag and took off looking for a den to crawl into. It was completely random, I could have thrown darts into a board, but this is where I ended up.
I headed straight into the mountains and found this isolated valley I had visited when I was young.
I came here to die
The Kern River Valley was my choice of places to die, because by the time I got here, the Grave's disease I was suffering from, had progressed to the point where I was unable to breath well enough to take the trash out and could not sleep at all. My heart pounded in my chest, my hands shook like palsy, while I kept losing weight.
I knew I was very sick, but I couldn't bring myself to go to the doctor. Until my neighbor above the antique store in Kernville, insisted that I go to see someone. Actually threatened to take me to the ER more like it.
Out of desperation I did go to the doctor, over to our Rural Health Clinic, where I would meet with my second destiny: the healthcare fight of my life.
They quickly diagnosed me initially with Grave's disease, but it was all downhill from there.
Unlike the prejudice I have encountered when I became disabled, I had no intention of living my life on medication in front of the television. I like to work and I also believe strongly in service to the community.
So, I have not been playing on the lake or laying around feeling sorry for myself. I've been trying to recover and work.
After some treatment, I began to feel like I could once again be part of the world. I had gained weight, been in an exercise class at the college, and was writing like crazy for the local paper (whom we will be discussing soon). Things were looking up.
However, in October of 2006, as the hospital was covering its dirty dealings in the skilled nursing facility and elsewhere, I again, lost the weight, strength and again was the shell of what I once was.
It all happened on my watch
While I struggled with this current downhill slide, which is still being diagnosed, (should know this week) the hospital administrators knew I was not much of a threat at 90 pounds.
They lied openly and even had these untruths in the newspaper. I didn't know, I was sick, and hanging on for my life. But that's no excuse, I didn't do my job. (If you can't do it right, you shouldn't be doing it. Just heard that somewhere.)
So many people were hurt here while I struggled simply to get out of bed. But I knew the moment, I had the strength, I would flush them out, and do what needed to be done.
Unfortunately, later in that year, out of complete physical weakness, I fell and hit my head, face, on the side of a tub. Ten days later I stroked out which caused more nerve damage; half my face is numb. (not just my skull)
You'd think it would have been over then, I did, but you can't ever count me out, ever.
September 2008: I came back
With my family again taking care of me, I worked to recover from the injuries from the fall, the stroke, then the current illness, which is likely Lupus, and came back to my house in the valley late last year.
No, no help from the rural health clinic, but we're going to take that up next: A Patient's plea: a rural health nightmare.
But now you know how this whole thing started. You know the filter I have. I care about people, principles, and my service to life.
I've been told "you can't take sides you're supposed to be impartial." Whatever, that's so old school. Nobody is impartial.
Let me also say this isn't a personal attack. (Oh, you liar Laura Hart) If it was then I would not be doing this.
For me, it's about progress and change. If nobody "Speak's Up" then the mistakes aren't caught and changed.
I'll give you an example of my bias. The Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy, which is sitting next to Chet Beedle's knife on the cutting board, was my pharmacy for the last five years.
I know the people there and they absolutely HATE ME. I've yelled at them for bad service; called them repeatedly on their mistakes; and generally there's a rift between us. Personally.
However, as a writer, and concerned citizen, I will fight for them to be treated right by this district, keep their jobs, and be paid an adequate wage.
I'm for fairness. If that's a problem, you shouldn't be reading this blog.
(Get ready though, there is going to be some bare knuckle brawling going on soon, as the state of California better be ready to prosecute the situation here at KVHD. Pam Ott is going to court on November third and fourth, and I am going to make sure you know why.)
Bob's bias: just to let you know the radio station of the valley, our only one, as signals get lost out there in the mountain range, had a story about the October board meeting. Yeah, Bob Jamison, KVHD board member, reported his own story from the board. I guess "smooth news" was busy, or tied up in Bob's trunk.
The story of the board meeting turned out on the radio as Jamison's attempt to close the pharmacy and stop wasting time and money. He was the protagonist in their story. (Good luck community. You're getting the news from a really "impartial" source there.)
Thanks Bob. That's so informative. I'll keep that in mind. (Jeez)
CEO, Doctor and Nurse headed for court June 22 and 23, 2010
California's "hidden" gold
Next week is the upcoming and much awaited preliminary hearings in the "elder abuse" case taking place in Kern County court, where the county will decide if there is enough evidence to send the three defendants to trial.
There are civil cases in the wings waiting to see if the state can actually prosecute the correct people and clean up after years of debt, short staffing, malfeasance, and failed services.
This blog was created to tell the story of the Kern Valley Healthcare District, a small, rural hospital, which has had a smoke screen up for years as the community, hospital employees, doctors, and board members, along with information control by the local media, has kept the dirt under the rug.
Someone asked me if there is ever going to be a reckoning and another asked if it will ever end?
I told these people that I would not abandon them as so many have suffered the unabashed lies and deceit.
I told them I don't believe in brick walls, I believe in sledgehammers.
There is no reason for anyone to believe that things are just going to remain the same. Sadly we see the California government falling apart, pointing fingers at each other, and becoming unable to govern properly anymore. They can't support healthcare, uphold their obligations as oversight, and have left education out in the cold too.
As I continue to put together the KVHD timeline, which keeps getting better and better, or I should say more clear, I feel common sense will win the day.
But there are others who are trying to keep things quiet and are willing to cover for others even when they know that there are untruths being expounded. These are people with power who are afraid to lose it, especially in this economy. (more on this)
The things I haven't told you and why
I have been told many things by people who you would think you could count on. In fact, there are emails and documents which highlight the "spin" being put on out there.
Then there are the things that they don't tell you which speak volumes.
In the coming weeks the blog will have been rearranged and additional stories will be up for the perusal of those in the system and those out of the loop who may not know what has happened behind the scenes.
I have questions out to Cal Mtg. now regarding the revenue bonds beginning in 1986. How this hospital got into a situation it may not survive. I've asked why not a low cost loan instead of revenue bonds? I've asked for an accounting of all monies paid to Cal Mtg. in premiums and services over the last 24 years.
They think we are stupid and incapable of rational thought
Actually, there was nothing rational about getting into a contract which allows that a state insurance agency, Cal Mtg., to come in and actually take over the hospital. And risk taking such as what took place, is not financially sound for small, rural hospitals. And apparently these management firms, one after the other show that the hospital never recovered from it's alliance with Cal Mtg.
Documents show the hospital was allowed to insure over 20 million in bonds with only 3 million in collateral like the hospital it's clinics and the contents, and the community's tax base. (I will be posting these documents)
The timeline shows that the problems started early in the project, and continue until today, as the hospital has to obtain lines of credit to pay the bonds and the insurer. They are in default and it is there fault.
But what some people know about the situation now is that they are being used as chattel to pay the debt with our property taxes. It's the GOB everyone is talking about.
If the community only knew
I've wavered about telling the whole truth, but it came to my attention this morning that I must give more details and names as the paranoia is spreading.
They are a club. They know each other.
If a reporter can't call a government funded agency and get a straight answer, then the reporter knows there's a bigger story underneath it all.
Reporters also try to keep their sources who are willing to tell the truth safe, but others who are not so willing must be revealed.
Who are these people in healthcare?
They are an entrenched army of people who prefer to tell a story and not the truth. And they don't think they are touchable when they do it. They can't take any criticism, which is odd, and yet criticism is something they dish out to the people who criticize them???
I call it a learning experience. You've taught me well KVHD, and all in all, I'm glad to be me when I look in the mirror because I've seen some of the most power driven, mediocre, unethical, behaviors which have become acceptable.
But everyone has a weakness, myself included as I'm ill, but mine is not a character weakness. And the people who are helping, some have been teenagers even, will know that standing up for truth, is a worthy cause.
Do the people who have committed crimes against the public, the fearful ones hiding with information, the one's who will do anything to keep their jobs including lie, realize that there are people watching you and expecting more? This is what you are teaching our children?
I'm not.
Next week is the upcoming and much awaited preliminary hearings in the "elder abuse" case taking place in Kern County court, where the county will decide if there is enough evidence to send the three defendants to trial.
There are civil cases in the wings waiting to see if the state can actually prosecute the correct people and clean up after years of debt, short staffing, malfeasance, and failed services.
This blog was created to tell the story of the Kern Valley Healthcare District, a small, rural hospital, which has had a smoke screen up for years as the community, hospital employees, doctors, and board members, along with information control by the local media, has kept the dirt under the rug.
Someone asked me if there is ever going to be a reckoning and another asked if it will ever end?
I told these people that I would not abandon them as so many have suffered the unabashed lies and deceit.
I told them I don't believe in brick walls, I believe in sledgehammers.
There is no reason for anyone to believe that things are just going to remain the same. Sadly we see the California government falling apart, pointing fingers at each other, and becoming unable to govern properly anymore. They can't support healthcare, uphold their obligations as oversight, and have left education out in the cold too.
As I continue to put together the KVHD timeline, which keeps getting better and better, or I should say more clear, I feel common sense will win the day.
But there are others who are trying to keep things quiet and are willing to cover for others even when they know that there are untruths being expounded. These are people with power who are afraid to lose it, especially in this economy. (more on this)
The things I haven't told you and why
I have been told many things by people who you would think you could count on. In fact, there are emails and documents which highlight the "spin" being put on out there.
Then there are the things that they don't tell you which speak volumes.
In the coming weeks the blog will have been rearranged and additional stories will be up for the perusal of those in the system and those out of the loop who may not know what has happened behind the scenes.
I have questions out to Cal Mtg. now regarding the revenue bonds beginning in 1986. How this hospital got into a situation it may not survive. I've asked why not a low cost loan instead of revenue bonds? I've asked for an accounting of all monies paid to Cal Mtg. in premiums and services over the last 24 years.
They think we are stupid and incapable of rational thought
Actually, there was nothing rational about getting into a contract which allows that a state insurance agency, Cal Mtg., to come in and actually take over the hospital. And risk taking such as what took place, is not financially sound for small, rural hospitals. And apparently these management firms, one after the other show that the hospital never recovered from it's alliance with Cal Mtg.
Documents show the hospital was allowed to insure over 20 million in bonds with only 3 million in collateral like the hospital it's clinics and the contents, and the community's tax base. (I will be posting these documents)
The timeline shows that the problems started early in the project, and continue until today, as the hospital has to obtain lines of credit to pay the bonds and the insurer. They are in default and it is there fault.
But what some people know about the situation now is that they are being used as chattel to pay the debt with our property taxes. It's the GOB everyone is talking about.
If the community only knew
I've wavered about telling the whole truth, but it came to my attention this morning that I must give more details and names as the paranoia is spreading.
They are a club. They know each other.
If a reporter can't call a government funded agency and get a straight answer, then the reporter knows there's a bigger story underneath it all.
Reporters also try to keep their sources who are willing to tell the truth safe, but others who are not so willing must be revealed.
Who are these people in healthcare?
They are an entrenched army of people who prefer to tell a story and not the truth. And they don't think they are touchable when they do it. They can't take any criticism, which is odd, and yet criticism is something they dish out to the people who criticize them???
I call it a learning experience. You've taught me well KVHD, and all in all, I'm glad to be me when I look in the mirror because I've seen some of the most power driven, mediocre, unethical, behaviors which have become acceptable.
But everyone has a weakness, myself included as I'm ill, but mine is not a character weakness. And the people who are helping, some have been teenagers even, will know that standing up for truth, is a worthy cause.
Do the people who have committed crimes against the public, the fearful ones hiding with information, the one's who will do anything to keep their jobs including lie, realize that there are people watching you and expecting more? This is what you are teaching our children?
I'm not.
Friday, June 18, 2010
KERN RIVER VALLEY NEWS: KERNVILLE ELEMENTARY
Just got word today there may be an official announcement coming regarding the closure at Kernville union Elementary school which would require children to be transferred to Lake Isabella to attend school.
None of this information has been confirmed, but there may be a deal where Cerro Coso College leases or rents the school to expand their own services.
But this is early news, we will wait on the meeting to find out.
The community is still paying GOB, general obligation bonds, property taxes for improvements to the school. How that will work out with the changeover, I guess that question would need to be asked.
Many people are concerned and upset about this issue, and if I find more information I will certainly pass it along.
But the communtiy in Kernville as the news seems now, accept the situation. I will update.
None of this information has been confirmed, but there may be a deal where Cerro Coso College leases or rents the school to expand their own services.
But this is early news, we will wait on the meeting to find out.
The community is still paying GOB, general obligation bonds, property taxes for improvements to the school. How that will work out with the changeover, I guess that question would need to be asked.
Many people are concerned and upset about this issue, and if I find more information I will certainly pass it along.
But the communtiy in Kernville as the news seems now, accept the situation. I will update.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Blog revamp and responding to questions
I'm letting you know we will be setting up the blog so that you can scroll down through some of the evidence and explanation more easily. As I've explained even before now, there is only so much I can share publicly, but after speaking to others, we have decided that since this is a "David and Goliath" situation anyway; and it did start here on this blog so I guess we will just go for it.
Questions, too many sorry
I've been getting a lot of emails and phone calls since last week, and I apologize for not having time to answer everyone who has inquired.
If you inquired here, then it makes me more assured that common sense and decency still exist in the Kern River Valley.
Thank you.
Threatdown: you will lose your job if the hospital bankrupts
Two questions came in asking if they would lose thier jobs at the hospital if they bankrupted. One said that is what she was told.
Dejavu, that's exactly what was said in 2006, and back to 1999. These sort of lies are perpetuated to "control" people from learning the truth. Meaning scare the sense out of somebody.
In this case it is the same and that is positively consistent with the workings of white collar crime.
We have a consitutional right to bankrupt and having that information quashed by both the KV Sun and those who would not benefit from the truth, tells you something right there.
My sense is that if you work at the hospital and even question what is going on, you WILL lose your job. Keep your mouth shut and vote.
But, and I want the employees to know this, if you see any criminal activity, and do not report it: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. THAT INCLUDES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
My favorite letter
Hi Laura
It's disgusting it looks like the project started right off wrong with incompetence and then the management company came in and just took care of themselves not caring about the hospital but just getting paid and most likely paid too much. But just look around you everywhere the banking institutions, cities they all are filled with incompetent greedy thieves.
All they care about is getting their's at the expense of the rest of us the ones who have to pay for their jobs with taxes. I pretty much look at government, cities, and large institutions as leeches sucking off us to pay their wages. We get nothing but the bill and more rules, laws and regulations or else we get fined and go to jail.
People are stupid until they wake up and realize government involvement means only problems. But that's what we get for always looking to be taken care of.
If the state cared about providing hospitals they'd build them from a fund, but if it's borrowed money it should be at no interest just pay the loan back. I find it incredible how almost always contractors and management steal and gets away with it. Where is the oversight? How come it keeps happening over and over with banks, insurance companies, etc.? I have no faith anymore in this country it's so screwed up.
I don't know what to say, the residents of KRV got screwed over and stuck with the bills for years to come ... it's the American way.
(She's right but I'm going to try anyway)
Questions, too many sorry
I've been getting a lot of emails and phone calls since last week, and I apologize for not having time to answer everyone who has inquired.
If you inquired here, then it makes me more assured that common sense and decency still exist in the Kern River Valley.
Thank you.
Threatdown: you will lose your job if the hospital bankrupts
Two questions came in asking if they would lose thier jobs at the hospital if they bankrupted. One said that is what she was told.
Dejavu, that's exactly what was said in 2006, and back to 1999. These sort of lies are perpetuated to "control" people from learning the truth. Meaning scare the sense out of somebody.
In this case it is the same and that is positively consistent with the workings of white collar crime.
We have a consitutional right to bankrupt and having that information quashed by both the KV Sun and those who would not benefit from the truth, tells you something right there.
My sense is that if you work at the hospital and even question what is going on, you WILL lose your job. Keep your mouth shut and vote.
But, and I want the employees to know this, if you see any criminal activity, and do not report it: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE. THAT INCLUDES THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS.
My favorite letter
Hi Laura
It's disgusting it looks like the project started right off wrong with incompetence and then the management company came in and just took care of themselves not caring about the hospital but just getting paid and most likely paid too much. But just look around you everywhere the banking institutions, cities they all are filled with incompetent greedy thieves.
All they care about is getting their's at the expense of the rest of us the ones who have to pay for their jobs with taxes. I pretty much look at government, cities, and large institutions as leeches sucking off us to pay their wages. We get nothing but the bill and more rules, laws and regulations or else we get fined and go to jail.
People are stupid until they wake up and realize government involvement means only problems. But that's what we get for always looking to be taken care of.
If the state cared about providing hospitals they'd build them from a fund, but if it's borrowed money it should be at no interest just pay the loan back. I find it incredible how almost always contractors and management steal and gets away with it. Where is the oversight? How come it keeps happening over and over with banks, insurance companies, etc.? I have no faith anymore in this country it's so screwed up.
I don't know what to say, the residents of KRV got screwed over and stuck with the bills for years to come ... it's the American way.
(She's right but I'm going to try anyway)
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Audio interview Pam Ott 6/06 re: skilled nursing
The following is a taped interview with Pam Ott, then former CEO/administrator, for KVHD.
This is regarding the year prior to the psychotropic restraint issues which have lead to three indictments.
The facility was not in compliance, paid penalties, and was not being paid for residents, and this was the 2006 survey.
This transcription does not contain the whole interview, but the portions regarding the SNF.
LH refers to my questions and responses and PO, is Pamela Ott.
PO-That was that whole restraint thing.
LH- When they came out for the regular, annual survey, they had a new criteria for the restraints?
PO- Right.
LH- They had a new criteria at that point and they said you're not following our new criteria?
PO- Because you are using restraints and they want all nursing centers to be restraint free. I know it's crazy.
LH- Are you going to have people on the floor?
PO- And they say that's okay.
LH-People on the floor with broken hips?
PO-No, they say you can keep them safe when they fall they won't hurt themselves if you protect their environment. If there's pads on the floor, low beds, pads on their hips, helmets if they're prone to falling on their head, (laughing) rubber walls...
LH-I guess you're going to have to throw them in a cotton room then?
PO-Yeah. Now here's what happened, they were sort of put under the gun a couple years ago when it was found that people were hanging themselves in their bed rails or in their restraints because they love to wiggle and they are all Houdinis; and they don't like being restrained so they try to do whatever they can to wiggle their way out.
And so people were hurting themselves with their own restraints which were supposed to be protecting them. So, they started doing this large study about how safe are restraints and believe it or not, with everything I've read, it's safer not to restrain than it is to restrain.
It's safer to let people fall- and they promise us that, I mean we have some people who are in restraints that the family said, if you take that restraint off and we'll sue you.
It was just a huge culture change. We had nurses in tears saying you can't do this to my resident I love, because they're going to hurt themselves.
It was a huge culture change. And that's really the bottom line is that you have to- apparently, from an attorney vantage point, there are enough studies done that say you're more likely to get sued for restraining than you are for not restraining and somebody hurting themselves, because it's standard of care now.
LH- So, this is the new standard of care?
PO- Correct
LH- This is pretty much big business here, the SNF?
PO- Well, that's the catch 22 is there, whether we were using restraints or not, we know that's safer then them being home alone. Without the kind of care that they needed, three square meals, and somebody to help take care of them.
(this is regarding the hoped positive outcome that patients will be admitted and paid by medicare again)
PO- So, we'll fill up pretty fast. And that's always the case here. We always have a waiting list, because the reality is no matter what about the restraints thing, we have a wonderful reputation.
(Two months after this interview, in Aug. 2006, Gwen Hughes was hired as the Director of Nursing in the Skilled Nursing Facility. Then, apparently, a different type of restraint was being used: psychotropic drugs. Now Ott is a witness for the state in charges against the SNF. Though, Ott herself, has a civil suit against her surrounding the same incidents. Here is her statement in the transcript from the state's case.)
On May 27, 2008, I interviewed Pamela Ott, former CEO/Administrator for KVHD. Ott stated that Gwen Hughes was the DON at KVHD when she was the CEO/Administrator. Ott stated that during the time DPH conducted their investigation in January 2007, she was informed of accusations from the staff that residents had been held down in order to give them forceful injections of medications.
Ott stated that the nurses came to her to voice their concerns with Hughes being rude and cruel to staff, but was never made aware of the psychotropic medications being used or Hughes threatening staff for refusal to administer these medications. Only after DPH conducted their investigation was Ott informed that KVHD resident, Louise Zimmerman, had been given a forceful injection of Respiridol without her consent.
Ott stated that she and her staff conducted a full internal investigation of the forceful use of psychotropic medication and found the accusation to be legitimate. The investigation found that Zimmerman was biting, kicking, and hitting others and that the IDT had recommended to Pormir the use of Respiridol to treat her. Their internal investigation found that staff were directed by Hughes to go into Zimmerman’s room to participate in administering the forceful injection to her. The internal investigation found that staff distracted Zimmerman. Then an injection was given to her without her consent. In this investigation, Pormir stated that he approved the use of psychotropics on Zimmerman.
Ott stated that there was a written report completed regarding this internal investigation.
This investigation is located at KVHD in the Quality Improvement (QI) file. Ott stated that she considered the incident in which Zimmerman received a forceful injection of psychotropics as elder abuse at the highest level.
This is regarding the year prior to the psychotropic restraint issues which have lead to three indictments.
The facility was not in compliance, paid penalties, and was not being paid for residents, and this was the 2006 survey.
This transcription does not contain the whole interview, but the portions regarding the SNF.
LH refers to my questions and responses and PO, is Pamela Ott.
------------------------------------------
LH-This doesn't sound like just an annual survey thing because this stopped you from bringing in new patients.PO-That was that whole restraint thing.
LH- When they came out for the regular, annual survey, they had a new criteria for the restraints?
PO- Right.
LH- They had a new criteria at that point and they said you're not following our new criteria?
PO- Because you are using restraints and they want all nursing centers to be restraint free. I know it's crazy.
LH- Are you going to have people on the floor?
PO- And they say that's okay.
LH-People on the floor with broken hips?
PO-No, they say you can keep them safe when they fall they won't hurt themselves if you protect their environment. If there's pads on the floor, low beds, pads on their hips, helmets if they're prone to falling on their head, (laughing) rubber walls...
LH-I guess you're going to have to throw them in a cotton room then?
PO-Yeah. Now here's what happened, they were sort of put under the gun a couple years ago when it was found that people were hanging themselves in their bed rails or in their restraints because they love to wiggle and they are all Houdinis; and they don't like being restrained so they try to do whatever they can to wiggle their way out.
And so people were hurting themselves with their own restraints which were supposed to be protecting them. So, they started doing this large study about how safe are restraints and believe it or not, with everything I've read, it's safer not to restrain than it is to restrain.
It's safer to let people fall- and they promise us that, I mean we have some people who are in restraints that the family said, if you take that restraint off and we'll sue you.
It was just a huge culture change. We had nurses in tears saying you can't do this to my resident I love, because they're going to hurt themselves.
It was a huge culture change. And that's really the bottom line is that you have to- apparently, from an attorney vantage point, there are enough studies done that say you're more likely to get sued for restraining than you are for not restraining and somebody hurting themselves, because it's standard of care now.
LH- So, this is the new standard of care?
PO- Correct
LH- This is pretty much big business here, the SNF?
PO- Well, that's the catch 22 is there, whether we were using restraints or not, we know that's safer then them being home alone. Without the kind of care that they needed, three square meals, and somebody to help take care of them.
(this is regarding the hoped positive outcome that patients will be admitted and paid by medicare again)
PO- So, we'll fill up pretty fast. And that's always the case here. We always have a waiting list, because the reality is no matter what about the restraints thing, we have a wonderful reputation.
(Two months after this interview, in Aug. 2006, Gwen Hughes was hired as the Director of Nursing in the Skilled Nursing Facility. Then, apparently, a different type of restraint was being used: psychotropic drugs. Now Ott is a witness for the state in charges against the SNF. Though, Ott herself, has a civil suit against her surrounding the same incidents. Here is her statement in the transcript from the state's case.)
On May 27, 2008, I interviewed Pamela Ott, former CEO/Administrator for KVHD. Ott stated that Gwen Hughes was the DON at KVHD when she was the CEO/Administrator. Ott stated that during the time DPH conducted their investigation in January 2007, she was informed of accusations from the staff that residents had been held down in order to give them forceful injections of medications.
Ott stated that the nurses came to her to voice their concerns with Hughes being rude and cruel to staff, but was never made aware of the psychotropic medications being used or Hughes threatening staff for refusal to administer these medications. Only after DPH conducted their investigation was Ott informed that KVHD resident, Louise Zimmerman, had been given a forceful injection of Respiridol without her consent.
Ott stated that she and her staff conducted a full internal investigation of the forceful use of psychotropic medication and found the accusation to be legitimate. The investigation found that Zimmerman was biting, kicking, and hitting others and that the IDT had recommended to Pormir the use of Respiridol to treat her. Their internal investigation found that staff were directed by Hughes to go into Zimmerman’s room to participate in administering the forceful injection to her. The internal investigation found that staff distracted Zimmerman. Then an injection was given to her without her consent. In this investigation, Pormir stated that he approved the use of psychotropics on Zimmerman.
Ott stated that there was a written report completed regarding this internal investigation.
This investigation is located at KVHD in the Quality Improvement (QI) file. Ott stated that she considered the incident in which Zimmerman received a forceful injection of psychotropics as elder abuse at the highest level.
That's not the way some people see it
Not that I know for sure if the state has spoken with any of the nurses and others who are about to be quoted regarding the knowledge of the board and Pam Ott, but these are certainly alarming facts that don't fit snuggly into the indictment. I have picked out a few quotes from my notes taken in May of 2007.
"By the second week in August staff was already calling in complaints to DHS."
"The hospital actually picked me up at lunchtime because they didn't want me to talk to the state."
(Regarding the incident when board members Kay and Bob Knight entered the nursing facility and was chased off by DON, Gwen Hughes, in her wheelchair running into Mr. Knight's shins with the approval of Pam Ott, who said, ordered her to get them out of there)
"Peg was in the SNF and stood up for Bob Knight. Pam ordered Gwen to write up Peg."
ONE MORE:
"When we told her about the SNF, she kind of hemmed and hawed, she really didn't want to know. She wanted to get rid of the people who know the truth."
The winners of the Putzlicker's Prize: Kern Valley Sun and Bob Jamison, smooth criminal
KRV wins illustrious journalism prize
They gave a Pulitzer Prize to a small town newspaper for doing it's job following the bad plotters in their rural community. These small time reporters put their heads down and looked for clues uncovering the yarn which garnered them a choice prize.
But here in this valley, the Kern River Valley, surrounding Lake Aintgonnatellya, where the two major news sources, the Kurn Vally Sin Noosepayperview, and the BobJamisonofagun, took to the streets with the incorrect stories ignoring their neighbors need for correct information, or at least something decent to read on the potty in the morning, wins my prize: the Putzlicker Prize.
When there's someone in need of extra money, and a cover up of bad news: Call the Sin or Jamisonofagun, and your troubles will go away.
Boot licking is typical in a country town like this, and I think it should be noted, that taking money for advertisements while looking the other way, is not, I say, is not "horse theivin'." It's a worthy trade passed on down through the corporations.
I say congratulations to the winners of this prestigious award and to the writers and most especially the editors and publishers who ensure a respectable days work to be unrespectable.
First Prize:KV Sin
Winner gits his horse's ass wiped
Second Prize: BobJamisonofagun
Winner gits to visit the hard of hearing, they like him best
They gave a Pulitzer Prize to a small town newspaper for doing it's job following the bad plotters in their rural community. These small time reporters put their heads down and looked for clues uncovering the yarn which garnered them a choice prize.
But here in this valley, the Kern River Valley, surrounding Lake Aintgonnatellya, where the two major news sources, the Kurn Vally Sin Noosepayperview, and the BobJamisonofagun, took to the streets with the incorrect stories ignoring their neighbors need for correct information, or at least something decent to read on the potty in the morning, wins my prize: the Putzlicker Prize.
When there's someone in need of extra money, and a cover up of bad news: Call the Sin or Jamisonofagun, and your troubles will go away.
Boot licking is typical in a country town like this, and I think it should be noted, that taking money for advertisements while looking the other way, is not, I say, is not "horse theivin'." It's a worthy trade passed on down through the corporations.
I say congratulations to the winners of this prestigious award and to the writers and most especially the editors and publishers who ensure a respectable days work to be unrespectable.
First Prize:KV Sin
Winner gits his horse's ass wiped
Second Prize: BobJamisonofagun
Winner gits to visit the hard of hearing, they like him best
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