Documents show KVHD knew of financial struggle: July 2010

As the buzz around the town has been about another cost to homeowners aside from a recent water rate increase, shocking electrical bills, a freeze on cost of living increases for those on fixed incomes, pension fund losses, propane, gasoline and food now comes another hand out: more property taxes to help the Kern Valley Healthcare District pay off the revenue bonds which cannot be bankrupted.

The KVHD administration has been talking about putting a general obligation bond on the ballot to pay off the debt, but what they haven't spoken about was they knew this was coming and waited for some now understood reason to act.

A GOB is not a new idea as you will see in the last document, it's been here many times before including Measure M in 2006.

Even Measure M as I mistakenly touted as completely necessary, was to be used to build an addition to the existing structure and utilize the depreciation to pay off what is called the "long term" debt.

The debt itself was a huge mistake on the part of possibly Goldman Sachs, but most assuredly on the hospital board of the time, which was 1985. Imagine this hospital putting out 22 million in bonds that can't be bankrupted and then they could not even finish the construction project this money was to be used for. The nursing center is half the size, so therefore, half the revenue projected.

Now they want 20 million from the community and they are somehow with less than the original debt, be able to pay off the first mistake and build a new ER and remodel an "imaging" center, which would be radiology.

But we have, according, to our CEO, Tim McGlew, and CFO, Chet Beedle no other options at this time.

Well, let's begin.

We knew a year ago January there were problems. I knew. But yet the person who is paid good money to keep this hospital functioning and safe, Beedle, for some odd reason didn't want to address the issue head on with our insurer.

After gathering support from KVHD chairwoman, Kathryn Knight, and Assemblywoman, Jean Fuller, to go to Cal Mtg. and simply ask what are our options, how can we solve these problems, can we defer payments, it was suddenly cancelled. (see email)

There was some bullying or as they like to call it here, politics, and nothing happened. No answers were given, no explanation provided.

Yet Beedle had 19 months to financially "manage" this hospital. Now the only solution that has been allowed to be discussed is the property taxes. A short message on bankruptcy was touched upon, and a parcel tax was considered, and there it ended: until now.

As I discussed in the previous blog (KVHD is not only hospital waivering) the problems with debt and spending are nothing new, but we heard some new excuses at the meeting which need to be addressed.

(click on documents to open, hit back button to close)

Millions of dollars have been lost out of the surgery department, salaries paid to a surgeon, nurses, and anesthetists, and what sorts of numbers do we see in this document: one, two and all the way up to five.

At the board meeting nobody, including the person in charge of the finances, CFO, Chet Beedle wanted to give a reasonable answer or explanation. They laughed basically and left it at that. (video coming soon)

Do you think those numbers are funny?

Look for yourselves.

Another issue came up regarding billings for co-payments from two years ago and financial manager, Beedle, answered by telling the community that by delaying their billings it was his effort to "help the community."

Old business is right, as you can see we have been talking about billing issues for a long time too, earlier than the document shows, I assure you.

But most know around town how bad the billing situation has been, they have been getting unknown bills. Accounts receivable is money you want to collect as soon as possible as people move or die or lose their jobs, and to say something as ludicrous as this was intentionally done to help the community only creates more of a rift between the hospital and it's voters for a bailout, AKA GOB.


And then there's the issue I'm still exploring as to why in January of 2009, the board knew there were serious problems, of course Beedle did too, but only one board member and one representative took the chance to try and address the problems that were already there. It was a meeting with the insurer of the large debt burden to try and find a way to stay afloat. (look under Cal Mtg. proposition)

If you're thinking right now that the insurer, Cal Mtg. in the Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, should just pay our debt and that's it, then you need to understand that they don't do that. They are different. And we signed a wonderful contract binding the community's property to the debt.

There is no bankruptcy for the long term debt. Not that there couldn't be bargains, and negotiations by people who know how to do these things, not those who just say they can.

So we see clearly that decisions made with a board stamp, a consent agenda, have wrecked havoc on this district, and yet we are seeing nothing more than the same soup served up again and again for answers. It shows that time and care need to be taken especially at this particular time.

I would not be saying these things if there weren't sufficient evidence to "prove it" and the board had better prove it has been using due diligence when making decisions.

This new GOB has been thrown together like scrambled eggs and toast so far, much like they did in 2006, as the architectural plans were unfairly put forth on a "voting ballot" as usable. It turned out those plans were not even close to being able to come in within cost, but even more egregious, they were unusable and we paid good money to Aspen Street Architects for many years for nothing.


Final document, shows we have been here before, many times, but this is particularly interesting as this was during the time BRIM management who gave us both CFO Chet Beedle and former CEO, Pam Ott, that the insurer has on it's list of options, that GOB.

Now, here's the email I received saying there would be no meeting with the insurer as we don't have to do anything, and the board was looking into it. When has this board here and now, with one exception, Kay Knight, asked any hard questions about what we are doing?

They are our representatives in healthcare. They decided to run for the board. They took on the responsibility on their own accord.

All I have heard are parrots over there, and not people with time and effort to go through the process called, "due diligence."

(these emails were the end of the attempt to address a bad situation before it got worse to the point of a bail out, rather than upgrading services, arranging an urgent care, and looking at potential architectural plans. Look at the dates and times as Beedle, having been directly asked by chairwoman Kay Knight for a meeting, denies it in these emails below. It goes backwards, the time frame, so the initial statement is the cancellation. And note the board never did again address the problem. So what's the problem? )

This would not be a good time to vote on this proposal. We should allow it more time to accumulate more imput so the Board can give the decision an educated decision. Thank you for your input and your inspiration.
----- Original Message -----
From: Laura Hart
To: Beedle, Chet
Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: Cal Mtg Proposal
Hello Chet:

Once the board votes to go into negotiations with Cal Mtg. then the proposal from KVHD would then, it would seem, be discussed and be more specifically written.

At this point, Cal Mtg. needs to get their people together and begin the process at their end. They know basically what this hospital needs to succeed and survive. And they know we don't have it.

And they have known this for a long time. I remember three years ago the hospital was purchasing a PAC system, for 80K. It was reconditioned, but what ever came of it? Now we're just dipping our toes into a digital radiology system.

Where is the true plan for expansion? What will it cost to keep up?

Which makes me wonder again, about the agency itself. From what I've read they are there to help keep rural hospitals growing and properly serving their respective communities.

One doctor who is currently under indictment, said that the ER is antiquated and he can't get doctors or staff to work up here.

And because of the looming indictments hanging over the hospital, with potential lawsuits, there is a sense of urgency to get this matter handled.

I'm assuming again that you yourself realize this.

Other issues of note that bring about urgency and fair play in this matter would be the needs of the hospital itself. The technology that you need. The structural repairs and additions. But more importantly a new plan for the skilled nursing facility.

Not just a note to public: it smells good in there. Nice murals. That doesn't work when people have died under suspicious circumstances. And these people live in this community. And these people are not getting complete medical records.

And local employees are being ignored by the largest employer in the valley.

We apparently have a truck load of rental nurses coming from Alabama or somewhere because of the staffing issues.

We can do better than this can't we? Or do you think this is the epitome of success for this hospital? I'm just wondering at this point.

Politics being played at this juncture will not help this hospital, the people and the valley. We have a reality to face and we need to do it. This is about elected officials, oversight agencies, the administration, and the public doing a good job. It's about new viewpoints, new avenues, new ideas, and new people.

This board needs to move forward, vote on the negotiations from this end, and Assemblywoman Fuller will then by order of the board begin the inroads for negotiations with Cal Mtg.

Other representatives of this valley, this district, the state can and will be utilized as well.

We need to learn from our mistakes and not hide from them; make things better by getting a clean start; and acting responsibly by taking action to get this done.

This is the first step.

And one of your employees, wrote on the Kern Valley Sun blog, that if people don't like the hospital they can drive down the canyon bleeding.

Another remark involved tearing down the hospital and creating an urgent care. Take a look it's coming from your management.

Is that helping our cause?

As far as the paperwork, there needs to be distribution of this material. I agree it is probably a mountain, but somehow, wouldn't it be quicker to scan this material into the computer so that it is easily accessed, rather than repeatedly making copies which would cost more?

Tell me we at least have that technology; I do.

Thank you again for your attentiveness to this matter. Let me know how you can make these documents available.

Laura Hart




----- Original Message -----
From: Beedle, Chet
To: Laura Hart

Sent: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 11:15 AM
Subject: RE: Cal Mtg Proposal
You are welcome for the response. I am not aware of any scheduled negotiations with Cal Mortgage. Relative to any current documents from Cal Mortgage, there are none since our last refinancing in 2003. Our original copy of that refinancing is in administration and Heidi can make you copies of the portion that you consider pertinent. The documents are very voluminous and it would help if you indicate to us those you consider necessary. We do not have these documents electronically, so they would have to be scanned or hard copies made.

-----Original Message-----

From: Laura Hart [mailto:hartofthekrv@msn.com]Sent: Monday, March 09, 2009 6:41 PM

To: Beedle, RE: Cal Mtg Proposal
Hello Chet:

Thank you for your response. I want to begin by saying the negotiations with Cal Mtg. will take place with what I understand, the board, yourself, Assemblywoman Fuller, and I have a private person in finance who will be overseeing the situation also.

All correspondence concerning these negotiations will go on to the Attorney General, Jerry Brown and Governor Schwarzenegger as well.

I will need all current documents regarding Cal mtg. and the most recent refinance for reference.

Copies will be sent to the other parties as well. You probably should email them to all of us involved.

xxxxx will be contacted shortly as to the intentions of following through on this proposal as well as adding other provisions as well as possible numbers which favor the hospital at this point.

They need to know they will not receive monies for at least two years. That's a definite. Our upgrades, with equipment, training, and construction will not allow for payments for at the very least two years. And any monies in the account deemed to go to Cal Mtg. will not at this point.

All the information I am receiving says we are on the side of doing what is appropriate with our bond and insurance situation.

Maybe the disparity between traveling nurses and community employees which is quite disproportionate at this point, can be rectified and mended with a new balance of monies.

I'm going to cc this letter to the board members so that they may stay in the loop on this matter.

As we both know there will be a serious cleansing process taking place to get the stains out of this district and upgrade the care and facility at the same time.

I repeat, thank you, for your support of this community. We need to hear more new voices and ideas from the valley itself.

God bless us, Chet, we need it.

Take care, Laura Hart

Request for relief from Cal Mtg/update/bullying

Update: this letter was sent out after KVHD, CFO, Chet Beedle said we were unable to pay our bond debt payment of 1.7 million. His story changed on camera as a new CEO had arrived Tim McGlew. The new story was that he never said that even though it's on tape. We had the backing of Jean Fuller and the KVHD chairwoman, Kathryn Knight, but the whole negotiation was quashed as Beedle, former CEO Rick Carter and board member Brad Armstrong convinced the chairwoman by visiting her at work unnannounced, that it wouldn't be a good idea. Today KVHD is being audited by a management company HFS sent in by debt insurer Cal Mtg. They have been in default for 24 years and there have been at least 4 or 5 attempts to secure a general obligation bond to have the community pay off the debt in property taxes.)

Dear Mr. Morey and those who oversee the state Cal Mtg. office:

I have spoken to people in this community now and have come up with an offer that will pay back certain funds to Cal Mtg. but at the same time save our hospital. I hope that our community means something to you, and that the objective of the low cost loan program is not to simply make money, but to bring about growth and change.

At the bottom of the letter are comments from the community which will tell the story of what this Skilled Nursing Disaster has done to the image and potential life span of our hospital.

As I have said in my blog, Cal Mtg. shoulders some of the responsibility as to what has happened to our facility. For instance, when you sent Brim Management in to take over the management of the hospital when the payments weren’t forthcoming; you brought on someone who had bad credentials. Someone who is being sued in a civil suit right now, but will hopefully be brought to justice soon.

Here is the proposal for relief. We are asking for relief and we will fight to get it. Our belief is that this situation calls for action and we are asking that you take action immediately to avoid another disaster: losing healthcare in the Kern River Valley.

At the Finance Committee board meeting, the CFO, Chet Beedle painted a grim picture for this year. We have already dipped into the reserve account that we are required by you to keep, to the tune of 180,000, to help make our most recent payment.

Your next payment is up in the air at this point and it will be contingent upon the perpetuity of this hospital.

We have already discussed that the hospital building is run down; we have been short staffing and underpaying our employees; there are shortages of various equipment and services for the community. The Skilled Nursing disaster COULD happen again, if we don’t act now.

If this hospital had the almost 1 million a year it pays to your office, there could be some serious changes made that would save the hospital from being the pariah of our community. And keep frightened residents from driving down our winding canyon road to seek medical treatment.

This community will pay you back your money, and already has been for 17 years. But we have to change the program because of the emergency situation.

We could open an investigation and look at all the records, the old and the new; and truly review the success or lack of success of this program. But time is of the essence for KVHD. And hopefully, you will be able to enact this proposal very quickly.

The Proposal:

First, the original sum of the revenue bonds were 13 million dollars. Now revenue bonds are based on business projections, like in the case of KVHD, it was to put in that skilled nursing facility, the CFO says we can’t survive without.

Then I understand when construction problems occurred, your office threw another 9 million at the problem.

In the end, the estimated amount of beds in the SNF was half of the original business plan, so therefore, the payments were outside the original numbers. They couldn’t pay because they didn’t have a finished product that would generate the original projections for revenue.

Now 17 years later, the hospital limps by, always trying to make sure to pay your office, and less to make sure the facility is staffed, trained, and in touch with current standards and technologies. That’s why I can’t figure how your program is helpful?

Even if you shut them down you would never retrieve the money you loaned, because they do not have that kind of net worth.

The IRS, a voracious office, and other types of creditors, knowing that they cannot collect all monies owed, make deals. They reduce the amount so at least they can retrieve some of their losses.

Okay, here’s the numbers: after 17 years of payments will still owe 15 million dollars from the original 22 million.

We figure we have paid your office and the taxpayers 17 million dollars. Yes, there is no interest in this figure, but that is not the issue here. The issue is that you have received this money.

Since Cal Mtg. originally agreed to the 13 million dollar business plan we consider that paid in full.

We propose that Cal Mtg. reduce the debt to 5 million dollars and refinance it over 30 years with low payments the hospital can handle. Yes, that means lot’s of interest for your program. These payments should be no more than 250, 000 a year, compared to the 1 million dollar payment.

This would allow the hospital more than 500,000 a year to get the hospital upgraded and staffed.

However, with this agreement comes two years of deferred payments, meaning we pay you nothing for two years and reinvest the monies we would have sent to your office on the hospital.

Here would be the conditions the hospital would have to follow to obtain this relief:

The district would have to join JCAHO and become an accredited hospital. This would keep the SNF from ever sinking below standards of practice.
There would be no raises for administrative salaries for two years until the hospital has implemented certain requirements. And raises in Administration from this year will be reduced to the original amounts, but with just an inflation adjustment of 4%. (That’s the raise the seniors in our community are receiving from Social Security.)
The board will have two members who were involved in covering up the SNF disaster, removed and bring on two new members. That would mean, Bob Jamison and Brad Armstrong have to step down if they want to help the hospital. No charges will be brought against them regarding brown act violations, conflict of interest, and privacy violations if they agree to leave.
The current CEO and all administrators must have their credentials checked to make sure that they are in qualified for the job they are doing.
The hospital must make an effort to increase staff positions by 10% the first year and another 10% the second year to people who live in this community. And at least two of the administrative positions must be held by members of the community. This could include people already working at the hospital.
The hospital must use this deferred payment period to pay off all outstanding debts to suppliers and providers.
An outside regulator must be contracted to monitor that all of these conditions are met.
During the deferred payment period, a construction plan must be conceived to upgrade the ER, and seismically retrofit the acute care wing. The plans must be in line with the extra monies the hospital is receiving so that there are no more loans necessary.
The hospital must also use the deferred payment time to obtain technology that allows the insular facility to directly contract with doctors who can read, treat, and follow patients via new computer technology. The current radiologist is unable to keep up with the imaging, and this would bring in doctors without having to bring them here.
The board, with its two new members, must create a comprehensive plan to deal with billing issues, collections, and potential lawsuits stemming from this incident.
New legal counsel will be hired for the board so that there is a clean start after many illegal and unethical practices have taken place
A internal audit committee will be established where the board, community members, employees, and consultants can streamline and plan for success.

That would be the initial framework for our new “covenant.” There could be additions to this, but we start from here.

I am sending this out to our local officials, as well as up the political ladder, and asking that they agree to this relief package.

We need this hospital and we need it healthy. You need money. So, can we agree upon this deal?

Please send this to your attorney and supervisors and begin the process as soon as possible. I will call you on Monday, March 2, 2009 at your office to discuss details.

Here are a few excerpts of the public’s reaction to the KVHD arrests. After you read them, you must understand that this is only going to get worse for us. The employees were fleeing anyway; now they have a terrible resume to take with them.

Yes, I will blog this letter tonight so the community knows what is going on. And it will be easier to disseminate the information to the proper authorities that way as well.

Take care, and take care of us. Thank you, Laura Hart

Comments from community, Kern Valley Sun, website:
" This is what is happening all across the country:
1. Many of our elderly are taken over by courts,
2. Appointed a guardian,in most cases friends of the court,
3. The guardian then isolates the elderly person and then keeps them from family,
4. This upsets the elderly person, and they start voicing their wishes and wants,
5. So then the guardian, and doctors start medicating, the person is then easier to manage for the staff. " I hope justice is swift for these 3, no one deserves the kind of treatment those residents received on their watch. They will have to answer to their maker one day...murder is murder "
"They outta administer the same drugs to these 3 and see how it works on them!
Show no mercy, Fry em I say! "

Nurse arrested for grabbing 79 year old nursing home resident by the throat: Kern Valley Healthcare District

Kern Valley Healthcare District another case of elder abuse shocks community...and hospital.

Rene Gotico a licensed Registered Nurse has been released on bail after being arrested for allegedly pushing a patient of the Kern Valley Healthcare District skilled nursing facility by the throat as she tried to get up and go to the bathroom.

According to Ray Pruitt, Public Information Officer with the Kern County Sheriff's department, officers were called out at 8:40 pm on Monday, August 23, as a witness to the alleged event called law enforcement.

The 79 year-old victim was supposedly trying to get help to get to the bathroom and Gotico was supposed to have told her to wait. It was reported the woman sat up and got to the edge of the bed.
"Allegedly Gotico took hold of her neck and pushed her back down," Pruitt said.

The incident is reported to have taken place at 7 pm Monday night, and when investigators arrived almost two hours later, they could see marks on the elderly woman's neck.

"Investigators found visible signs of redness on her neck," Pruit explained.

Pruit said Gotico was then arrested on one charge of felony elder abuse, penal code 368 B 1. This is one of the same charges facing Pamela Ott, Dr. Hoshang Pormir and Gwen Hughes, in the previous elder abuse case involving the use of psychotropic drugs allegedly used to keep patients quiet.

The report is that Gotico was arrested the same night and has now been released on bail. No word on the date of his arraignment as of today.

According to Kern Valley Healthcare District, CEO, Tim McGlew, the nurse was recently hired on at the hospital on a permanent basis, as he had been a traveling nurse for many years coming and going from the Kern Valley Hospital.

"Mr. Gotico has worked with the facility for some years as a traveling nurse. He was hired on as an employee about one month ago. He is a registered nurse," McGlew responded in an email regarding the situation.

"We had not experienced any behaviors of the kind demonstrated by this individual before Monday night. It was to all involved, a surprise" McGlew went on to explain.

The CEO also wrote that the ER director, Dr. Sacapano, was notified immediately and had the staff call the sheriff's department which he said was "protocol" in a situation like this.

All the typical hospital agencies, including Public Health were notified, as well as himself as administrator of both hospital and the skilled nursing facility as it took place after regular business hours.

"As I shared with the Californian (newspaper) and the other media outlets that have contacted us, our first priority was and is the safety of our patients and residents. Mr. Gotico was removed from all patient care contact immediately after the incident and was suspended pending investigation,"

I will follow up as Mr. Gotico will be in court in the next few weeks.

Currently awaiting basic facts in the California Attorney Generals elder abuse case, which is scheduled to come back to court on October 15 at the Kern County Superior Court for an arraignment. This includes all three defendants. Will have more details later...

Etra and Ginsburg: new attorney's in the Kern Valley Healthcare District case

(UPDATE: Sept. 2010:Donald Etra was a former attorney working with Ralph Nader. He moved on lately to high profile Hollywood cases. His client is Dr. Hoshang Pormir, the medical Director of the nursing center and ER. Dr. Pormir is charged with elder abuse. He has also hired William Howard Ginsburg who was the attorney for "Monica Lewinsky." The two other defendants in the KVHD elder abuse case, Pamela Ott and Gwen Hughes, have their own attorneys but they also maybe putting their heads together as I attended a hearing (on our YouTube site) and watched them shove Ott in the backseat of a car and the attorneys, not Dr. Pormir, and Ott all left together. Hughes is seen in the video leaving in her wheelchair. What is going on now? The defendants will be back in court to answer to the charges which could lead to a trial or they still have the opportunity to make a deal. If Monty Hall comes as their lawyer next, we will know what has happened...)

Who are they and what are they doing here?

I apologize, but I have not been able to verify much so far regarding the new attorney's in the KVHD criminal case surrounding the use or some will say, misuse, of psychotropic medications in the skilled nursing facility for six months during 2006.

Two new names, possibly big names in the world of defense attorneys, Donald Etra and William Ginsburg, who have been recently attached to the case, but we have no "verification" of how they got here and what their particular roles are.

What I have learned so far is that Etra is the attorney for Dr. Hoshang Pormir, a defendant in the case. Etra is thought to be taking the place of the previous criminal defense attorney.

Ginsburg, is the twist. His presence or actually I have not confirmed to my satisfaction what Mr. Ginsburg is doing in the case. And I have again not confirmed that he is the Ginsburg who was involved in the Monica Lewinsky drama, case, or whatever you want to call it.

I was told he was involved in another case for Dr. Pormir, one with the state medical board.

Again, I will get back today with that information if at all possible.

I thought I would ask

I've sought the assistance of a few media outlets and the Bakersfield Californian newspaper in helping to find out what sort of turn this case is taking and who are new players on the field.

Though, there are the media outlets who have been using our story for their own purposes, not remembering that this case took place in 2006, and forgetting there is another side: a new administration and new CEO. I would suspect the new administrators wouldn't mind giving their side of the story after the media has stuffed itself at the buffet we seemed to have arranged for them.

At the end of the year our story made a local outlet's year end shocking stories, and I kind of shook my head in disappointment when the article read something like: "they were giving out psychotropics like candy."

Yeah, thanks, that helps. (I know all these people who have reported on this were right there, bedside, or they were too lazy to go past a politically motivated report from our attorney generals office. Hey, other media outlets don't forget that Pam Ott was once a "witness" and now a defendant. And the pharmacist was once a defendant and now a witness. And the witness for the state scrutinizes the hospital medical records. The former CEO of the hospital shreds the paperwork leaving only what she thinks anyone should see. Yeah, rely on that and you'll go far.)

The media outlets were giving out "shockformation" like candy to their readers who unsuspectingly thought they were being treated with respect...

BYOT

Bakersfield Californian reports traveling nurse arrested on felony at KVHD: more trouble for ailing hospital's nursing center

Felony arrest of employee of the Kern Valley Healthcare District nursing center...again?

The Bakersfield Californian is reporting that Rene Gachon Gotico was arrested on Tuesday, August 24th, 2010, for an alleged elder abuse incident in the Kern Valley Healthcare District skilled nursing facility.

It has been reported that Gotico grabbed a resident by the neck and pushed her back into bed after she requested help from the nurse to go to the bathroom.

The Californian story goes on to say that the incident was witnessed and the proper authorities were notified, as the police came out and found the patient to have red marks around her neck.

While the elder abuse case has been in Kern County Superior Court

From charges of using psychotropic drugs stemming from Attorney General, Jerry Brown's investigation which brought about the arrests of three KVHD employees, including Dr. Hoshang Pormir, Geriatric nurse Gwen Hughes, and former CEO, Pam Ott, in 2009, to this new incident.

With the state's case in the Kern County Superior court this week for the preliminary hearing, news is that the older felony abuse case which may have shortened the lives of four KVHD nursing home residents, continues on to see if there is enough evidence to take the defendants to to trial.

How will this new incident reflect on the crumbling healthcare district

As the hospital, in dire financial trouble, seeks to obtain property tax dollars from residents of the Kern Valley, via a General Obligation Bond now on the Nov. 2 election ballot, this could not be considered good news as the election is only two and a half months away.

One community member hearing of the latest incident said, "this is out of control now, we can't vote to keep this hospital going the way it's going-it's getting , worse not better."

A local volunteer for the hospital said, remaining anonymous, alerted me that the problems are getting worse as nurses are understaffed in the nursing center and she said she knew something "terrible" would happen if they didn't get enough employees to cover the skilled nursing center.

I will follow up on Gotico, described in the article as a "traveling nurse" who has been working for the district "on and off" for fourteen years. Traveling nurses are temporary employees brought in to cover shifts which can't be handled with the current staff. (More on this situation: no overtime, traveling nurse brougth in to cover) The cost are higher, and often times the nurses are given housing along with the moving expenses.

According to the California Board of Nursing, Gotico, has had his Registered Nursing License since 1993 and the website shows no disciplinary action.

Updates on the new "felony" abuse case as it is another serious issue which will likely bring more attention to the hospital's reputation and ability to manage with serious shortages of money, even difficulty making payroll.

The hospital focusing on "Measure G" will have an uphill battle to climb as they have marketed the property tax measure as a 22.7 million dollar emergency room construction project.

Under fire, they have said many things on video over the past months and even years much of that will appear on our Youtube website for confirmation of the allegations of KVHD's lack of adhering to laws pertaining to public healthcare districts.

I'll send in questions to the hospital, but they have still not answered my public requests in a timely fashion, so we will see if the CEO, is willing to step forward and give a statement on behalf of the district

Here's the link to the article from Bakersfield Now a blog from the Bakersfield Californian.
http://www.bakersfield.com/news/local/x464578841/Nurse-arrested-on-felony-elder-abuse-charge

Update on Gotico as well as the on going preliminary case regarding the use of drugs to control the elderly patients of the hospital's nursing center.

YouTube: Kern Valley Healthcare District's "second bond measure," Donald Etra, Jim Faulkner, Bruce Blythe in the car ride after court

Last night three videos from the ordeal called, "The Kern Valley Healthcare District" were successfully uploaded...which means more to come every night.

Good stuff, things I had talked about, quoted, now you listen to the KVHD board and administrators, attorneys in the elder abuse case, and you can hear EXACTLY what they said.

You don't have to believe me, but you must look at the video for some home fried "truth."

Like a friend told me, "you couldn't even make that stuff up."

Enjoy and keep watching as we are cutting video everyday...

http://www.youtube.com/user/OrderBipolarDisorder

shooting ourselves in the foot, pharmacy, whatever (you've been had, KVHD board and CEO)

(Update: Latest pharmacist gone, obtaining prescriptions still slow, but the pharmacy remains in service)
Follow up to the pharmacy (an editorial, another one):

With the photos of protesters outside of the Sierra Kings District Hospital board meeting, home of the whopper, Pamela Ott, donning the front page of "The Reedley Exponent" on-line newspaper, I couldn't help but wonder what is it going to take to change things here?

I can't help but be envious of the Reedley citizens and their demonstration of unity against government waste and mediocrity last week, signs and all.

They asked directly that the President of the Sierra Kings district board, Trish Johnson, step down and allow someone else to give it a try as their hospital has filed bankruptcy and their former CEO, or current, Pam Ott, has her hearing in court next week on charges of elder abuse which occurred under her leadership here in the Kern Valley Healthcare District.

So many things have happened here in our district, but it seems we have a way of avoiding responsibility and continuing to expect the denizens of the valley to swallow the constant flow of excuses.

If this isn't the last straw, what is?

After actually killing the business at the Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy by announcing that the pharmacy is losing money and cannot support the community by supplying their prescriptions in a timely manner as well as not being able to "stock" or carry "brand name" or unusual medicines, the hospital has created a self fulfilling prophecy.

Though the new numbers examined by CFO, Chief Financial Officer, Chet Beedle, and CEO, Tim McGlew, showed their was life still left in the pharmacy service, the original advice to shut it down, may be the down fall of the business.

For months, the pharmacy has struggled to keep the medicine shelves stocked and the customers served on time, but the money wasn't being paid to the wholesaler of the drugs, and suddenly, the pharmacy hits the chopping block.

Why deal with it? Because there is a community out here to serve, who cannot make the trip around the lake or down the mountain, and we have according to four year old statistics, the same size population on the south side as we do in the Kernville area, where "The Drug Store" continues to peddle its pills without a peep.

Now, we have a situation: yes, there are numbers which support keeping the pharmacy alive, but I guarantee Mr. Beedle will be talking about the most recent numbers attached to articles in the local newspaper about the pharmacy being the number one money draw on the hospital.

(Again, it's a media situation. The local newspaper didn't understand the situation and headlined the pharmacy was closing. What did I say about power? I'll be talking about them soon, as I've had a chance to get a gander at the most recent ramblings of the local media)

But that was caused when people were told that the pharmacy cannot provide their medicine. Why would we go there if the news is that they don't have my prescription?

And there is a board member apparently, no names, only addresses, 104.5, who seems to believe that by not purchasing at the pharmacy himself, he is making a statement as to the viability of the retail outlet.

Well, board members are not looking too good these days, as they sat through the most bias (yes, I use the word too) board report I have witnessed since Pam Ott was telling us the employees, the college, the director of nursing, the leach lines, were causing all the problems in the skilled nursing facility.

Chet Beedle sat in front of all of you and I'm sorry to say the CEO as well, and recommended closing the pharmacy, taking action at that meeting, because of his analysis. (The off balance report)

As I have pointed out he used an old report, a ruler and some scotch tape, and suddenly the pharmacy was too much for us to handle, it is taking down the hospital.

You know there are rumors, as always here, hell we'd have no information at all if it weren't for rumors, that the pharmacy if it stayed open, would bring down the hospital.

How's that one? Another rumor is that I am going up against the pharmacy, that I want it shut down.

Good grief, KVHD, when does your rumor milling get the story right?

I am for financial viability of the district, but I also recognize that this is a rural healthcare district. It's paid for by the public to serve the public. And as the public we better take another look at what is going on.

Get me my prescription, NOW!

Some of us can't wait for the COD to arrive, but I've decided to bring my business back to Mt. Mesa pharmacy so that I can keep an eye on how the medications and customer service are doing.

We all need to come back with our business and demand that the hospital pay out the money to at least keep standard medications on the shelves.

We've already chipped away at the staff there like we enjoy doing as a business practice. Get rid of those costly, pesky employees, then we can make some money.

These employees are supposed to be "first in line" with the transition into the hospital pharmacy in the event of closure. Well, they are the front line of an untended business operation who have to hear complaints day in and day out, not because of the pharmacy, but because of the hospital financial priorities.

It is a priority to get the CFO a nice retirement and continue to pay him good money, while he throws away good money.

We heard about "volume" the secret of the Egyptians and that is no longer going to cut it: cut the salary, even cut the position.

Make the right cut, not the pharmacy: the CFO

You want to have a pharmacy and a hospital in our valley? I do. But not the way it is now.

We have replaced other parts but the car still doesn't run right. Hey we haven't tried to replace the the CFO. Let's start thinking in car repair terms: If it won't start, begin with the battery and move on. Don't take out the engine when it's a battery cable that needs to be replaced.

My advice: Go back to the pharmacy and let's start all over

If you live on the south side of the lake, go back to the pharmacy and start all over again. Maybe not this week or month, but eventually with our business we can bring it back.

Start by bringing your prescriptions that are not urgent, but can wait, for them to do what is necessary to fill it.

And start calling...(I know it's ridiculous to call anywhere now with the additional numbers to dial, 1-760-I hate the government)

But don't call those poor people at the pharmacy, they're just victims of this whole fiasco. They have had their hours and benefits cut while listening to customers complain on a daily basis. Leave them alone.

Call the hospital CFO, Chet Beedle, instead. 760-379-2681 is the main number and then dial O and ask for Chet Beedle.

If you have a problem at the pharmacy call the person who pays the bills, CFO, Chet Beedle. (I'm sure volume may be the answer here too.)

So, go back to the pharmacy if you want it to be there...

Gossip in the KRV over the hospital's property tax increase: what's real?

Now, I know some of you who have opinions or experience with our local hospital, the Kern Valley Healthcare District, and might have some interesting ideas about what this bond will or won't do and what could happen, so I'm going to try and simplify it for you.


Here's the bond in a "nutshell":

Will voting for the hospital bond keep the hospital from closing, assuming that it is that dire that it would have to close? NO

The hospitals problems are beyond the help of a bond at this point. Lawsuits and criminal escapades, heavy debt burden, no credit, have driven away most of the aid other hospitals in this situation could expect.

Will voting against the hospital bond cause the hospital to close? NO

The hospital will have to change management and the new administration would have to take over and try and salvage the situation.

Will voting for the hospital bond keep the hospital open in the future? NO

There are no guarantees that the hospital will stay open as they will eventually need to replace the whole building as well as ride out the storm of uncertainty with government, elder abuse, lawsuits, and can only get so much money from the community every time they don't produce what they promise.



That is why we are here, because of an uncannily similar situation we had back in 1985, when Goldman Sachs, "supposedly" suggested that we go ahead and sell "tax free" government bonds to expand a slumping hospital.



First 13 million and then default, project stopped, and another 9 million for construction, premiums and the reserve account.

The hospital already put up your property taxes in case of emergency...like now.


So, even in 1986 when they began their construction fiesta, there were no guarantees, can't even find out what happened with the completion bond money or anything else. It's part of the huge lump under the carpet.

Brad Armstrong sat on the board back then when they made these decisions which continue to haunt us. And as I have said, when it came time to make this new decision on the bond, his seat remained vacant, he didn't come to make this most important vote.

Chet Beedle and Kathryn Knight have gaps in attendance on the part of the hospital staff at the "big bond theory" meeting on August 4. Beedle came in to KVHD through a management company when the hospital thought it might have to close in 2000. That same method will be "employed" if there is no community response to the bond.

The community needs to do nothing at this point, really there is nothing to do. We are continuing to pay these people to manage the hospital, it's as simple as that.

The question is: If you want to change management for whatever reasons, you don't trust them, you feel they aren't coming clean, they have a vested interest in keeping their maximum level salaries, then you vote NO against the bond.

If you think this management is doing a fine job, then you might want to encumber the whole valley with a yes vote.

It's your vote. There is really not a lot to decide, it's not complicated, it's simple.

The risky part would be voting yes to this as the monies could be absorbed by lawyers and lawsuits, the debt would still not be paid completely, and the whole valley would see an increase, in taxes and prices. It could be catastrophic on the community and like the water increases, we could see some serious changes, consequences.

We have ranchers here with acres of land, which would be taxed. How would they react to paying their share? Would they leave and find another place?

A NO vote is to say that you think the management should be changed before we decide to light up 22 million in dollar bills...that's it.

Parents tell your children the bad news: the truth doesn't set you free

Two years of watching and cringing as the management of a public healthcare district in a senior community, KVHD, lied and eventually the people who paid were innocent victims.

And after all this time of telling the truth as best I could get it, I realize it's made no difference at all. I seem to have set nothing free.

Isn't that funny? Ironic?

If I told you right now that I thought the community allowed this to go on and that makes them co-conspirators, would it be the truth? Would it set anyone free?

Really, I mean it, don't tell your children that honesty is a good policy, because its the most overlooked thing around. It lead to our elderly residents, loved ones, to be completely missused, overlooked and their dignity taken away.

How do you feel thinking about yourself, bedridden, no choices, can't get to the bathroom, no one to speak to, drugs not regular or always the same; it's a scary thought.

But this hospital lied when I tried to tell the community there was a problem at the expense of our elders just before the state was threatening to close the SNF down for unsafe conditions.

Others in the community were more willing to believe anything: gossip, urban legend, innuedo, anything but the rough and rugged truth.

I've told you all with evidence, what has been going on at this hospital. Laws have been repeatedly broken, and ethics stomped, scandalous behavior and dealings.

Again, nothing appears to be free. The board has some new members, but even after Pam Ott left, there were still other problems, like the CFO, Chet Beedle, whose number crunching gets stuck in my teeth.

I do realize the truth isn't a straight and narrow road, we all have things to lie about and reasons to lie. But the truth can help straighten a particularly crooked road.

So, those with children on your laps tonight, don't lie, tell them the truth, "the truth won't set you free. Sorry dear, but it's a bad world with a bunch of people afraid of the truth. You would most likely be more successful as a good liar."

And those with Christian bibles, especially, need to say it like it is, "the truth doesn't set things free. Oh yeah, we talk about it, preach about it, but don't take us too seriously, we won't actually do anything about it. "

Tell those children the bad news, crime pays, the truth takes a back seat to people's fears and insecurities...

Oh what will we do, we don't have a crystal ball or do we?

We're off to see the wizard, the numbers wizard of KVHD...

(Update: Last year Beedle was asked if he knew what the projections were for the future. Now, I posted the projections and here we are now talking about the default, the misinformation, and Beedle's relationship with Cal Mtg.)

Our Kern Valley Healthcare District, CFO, Chet Beedle has told us many things as to the financial status of the hospital, the direction he thinks it needs to move in, and what the "secret" is to making money: volume.

I could have told you volume is the winner in every game for a nickel, but we let our financial manager prattle on each month about it for a salary that goes along with a free lodging, benefits and retirement. How nice for him.

But how not nice for the people who happen to be at the bottom half of the echelon, say those taking cuts in salary and benefits in the pharmacy. They are getting reamed because we don't know how to run a profitable or breaking even, pharmacy.

I don't want to hear anymore excuses about this matter, it's simply ridiculous.

We probably will never make hay out of the pharmacy, but that is not the point, I realized after mulling the situation over these past few days. The point is for a public healthcare district to serve its community.

We well may have to take a constant loss from the pharmacy and make it up somewhere else, just to make sure that the local, rural, community can be served.

Again, I will mention that the William Casey report from the year 2000 was used as an analytical tool to justify severing the pharmacy from its public.

Sad, very sad, Chet, that you would use that report in any fashion. But at least you did it overtly where I could see it. The CEO didn't know anything about it, but I do.

The math

So, again we have financial problems from a number of areas, but the biggest is not the THREE HUNDRED THOUSAND DOLLARS from the lazy charity patients who won't fill out the forms and apply for programs which will bring in money for the hospital: But the SEVENTEEN MILLION DOLLARS we owe on the bond.

And the TWO MILLION a year we pay on that, without including the payments to the mandatory reserve account.

Well there.

Even losing SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND from both the pharmacy and the bad debt, still comes under the TWO MILLION we pay on the bonds.

Taking that SIX HUNDRED THOUSAND and then adding the losses we have in the surgery department rounded off to ONE MILLION, still comes under what we have to pay on the revenue bonds.

What stood out to me

The first thing I thought when it was reported at last month's meeting that the CEO and CFO were going to do "face to face" departmental evaluations, was that the CFO, said they hadn't done this before.

He did say, that Controller, Barbara Figeuroa, would send out reports and calculators to them, but they didn't meet.

What kind of management, doesn't meet with it's department managers to go over financial/fiscal issues, such as projecting future needs, the state budget, new technology that maybe used to bring in volume, how much money needs to be spent to do things correctly, etc.: that's pretty basic.

Thus those statements are alarming.

Who knows better what their budget should look like than the department managers? I guess, Chet and Barbara, considering the way things have been run.

Human resources: the key to success

(I'll need another nickel for this title)

Through the doors walks a highly qualified Registered nurse, who has training in all sorts of new technologies, as well as years of experience, and he or she happens to be a pick of the litter. The person wanted to get away from the city life, and happened upon our small community.

If you're not trained in seeing what would be considered "highly qualified" employees, who can do their job, but also bring an added dimension with other training or personal qualities, you're going to lose this person at the front door of human resources.

You have to have a highly qualified human resources manager who has an understanding what the hospital needs, where the hospital is going (that actually falls under the category of talking to your department managers more often) and how to do your background research and interpret it.

I've seen some terrific employees come and go over the last four years, and it has been a complete waste of talent along with money.

I could name names, but obviously I'm not going to do that.

I will say that I understand the problems with the front door. I've heard people talk about it. I've been told about rude comments, harsh enforcement of policies, as well as, what I view as defamatory practices against certain employees.

You want a good staff? Then start with a good HR manager who knows how to bring in quality and lead by `example.

When problems fester, especially the ones regarding personality clashes, they can become a serious problem for an organization. If there is no one in HR who can handle such matters, then employees won't report the problems.

What happens when employees don't get satisfaction or some communication about the problems, you're going to have a person working at your hospital who deep down doesn't care about you or your business.

If the hospital is creating that kind of staff issue, that becomes a real problem, as it spoils the whole soup.

Again, back to the HR manager, who doesn't work well with people or understand what the needs of the employer are, then welcome the new employees aboard the Titanic, because unless this manager has skills, we're always going to be missing the mark.

(I had a business where I was ripped off by employees, lying about qualifications, and a couple even came to the job intoxicated. These were all terminated employees. But then there was the employees who wanted to be to work on time and leave on time, not much personality, but hard workers who got the job done. Maybe I wouldn't want them as friends, but I could count on their abilities to work hard and care about the quality of the work they do.)

Finally....what to do about this?

There are always opportunities for improvement, "The room for improvement is the largest room in the world," and we need to stay positive and get another look at the books.

And as I said, the pharmacy needs to stay open and function, which it can do. It's been proven in the past.

The employees need to get a break at the pharmacy about cutting their hours...maybe they have been nice about it, that doesn't mean I'm going to be.

I want to see Mr. Beedle take a pay cut and then explain why his small paycut could offset the employee hours.

The Preliminary Hearing in Kern Hospital Elder Abuse Case begins: media gets the axe

KVHD Elder abuse preliminary hearings...

The California Attorney General Jerry Brown's elder abuse case against former employees of the Kern Valley Healthcare District began it's preliminary hearing today at the Kern County Superior court and I was asked to leave...let me explain, if I can, the day I had...

I arrived for court this morning to find all the defendants, former KVHD CEO, Pam Ott, Dr. Hoshang Pormir and Gwen Hughes chatting with their attorneys, Jim Faulkner (Ott), Gwen Hughes (Bruce Blythe) and Donald Etra (Dr. Pormir).

Last Friday I had filled out my media release to film in the court room and I explained that to the bailiff, who then allowed me in to film.

As we filed into the courtroom, Ott and her friends, likely her mother and sister, sat behind me, "hey let's sit behind Laura Hart," she said.

I ignored the remark and began fiddling around with my camera and kept looking for my pen which eluded me all day.

As is usual in court, 8:30 turned into 9 am, and then the judge called the case #BF126665 A, C, D, to come back at 1:30 in the afternoon. Steve Muni, representing the state in the case, asked the judge that they proceed today as there was a witness on hand to testify. With that said, we all left and went our own ways.

We were whisked in and out in all of five minutes, and I had taken, maybe 30 seconds of video.

I went off to attend a doctor appointment, early, as I had expected to go later in the day, had something to eat and came back.

When I came back Ott and her friends were sitting outside the court and I walked up and took a few seconds of video while Ott acted as she can do, friendly, asking me how my health was doing. I wasn't interested in being drawn into a fake conversation or anything else, so I went inside while she was still talking.

When I arrived I again got out the camera and was taking some footage of the court room door as Gwen Hughes sat quietly, alone, in her wheelchair in the hallway. (I'm not using any of the photos I took inside the courtroom as I'll explain)

Two Deputies approached me and said I had filmed without permission and put it on KGET the noon news. I was told I had to take my camera and recording equipment out of the courthouse.

I explained to them I had not used any of the film as if there was any to use, and that I was at my doctor during the break. Can't argue with people in uniform, but I did end with it wasn't me who did the filming and broadcasting, I'm on the Internet.

Off I went, left camera friend behind, and returned to deal with the situation. I filled out another media release, as I was told I did it wrong too.

I had my notebook and that's all I needed, so we all went into court at 1:30 pm and the judge did some juggling of the schedule so that they could move on with the preliminary hearing.

But before we went on, Ott's attorney, Jim Faulkner, told the judge that I had filmed without permission, and it was broadcast.

Judge Lua, apparently looking at my paperwork, denied me permission to film or record anything. Then KGET had a media release, and the judge asked the defense attorney's what they thought about having cameras if it would be "fair" to their clients. They didn't want the cameras.

So, the judge denied the second media release, meaning the preliminary will likely go without coverage.

I was dumbfounded as to this turn of events. The judge had me stand up while he denied my release, I didn't respond, as I wasn't sure why he was doing this, so I didn't have much to say, except, "Okay, your honor."

But then Steve Muni reminded the judge of my blog, and that I had sent in some evidence, and that I may called later as a witness.

The judge responded by asking the defense attorneys if they would be calling me to testify, and they responded, "yes."

So, am I a witness for the prosecution?

If I am then I would be happy to answer anything the defense would like to ask me. I have nothing to hide, except maybe some embarrassment, and have no fear of taking the stand.

What I've learned about liars is that they have to think about the story, I don't, as you may notice from this blog being hopelessly redundant: I lived it.

Put me under oath as I've been waiting to hear those words for a long time. Witness.

What I have witnessed was serious enough for me to be concerned for the community here in Lake Isabella as well as the people from Sierra Kings District Hospital in Reedley, where Ott left after being charged with elder abuse. Sierra Kings filed for bankruptcy shortly after Ott left.

By changing me to witness status, it could be a way to keep me from knowing what is going on, but they did deny KGET Channel 17, but I'm not sure why as they didn't use any video, weren't even at the court room, and the story was basic using archive footage.

KGET could try to get back in court, but as of now I will discontinue coverage until I know exactly what they want from me.

Judge Lua told me I had to leave because I was a witness and I stepped out. But I still wonder what happened today.

They want a fair trial or preliminary for Ott, Pormir and Hughes, maybe take it up to Fresno County...probably not. I do understand that they want to be treated fairly, but what about the patients in this nursing center, their families and the employees at the hospital? I suspect they want to be treated "fairly" as well.

When I got home I couldn't stop thinking about the media issue, so I called the court and asked if I could write a letter of explanation or apology to the judge regarding the misunderstanding about the video. I was told that there were no ex-parte, private communication with the judge. If I wanted to do this, it would be put in the case file.

Since that would take too long, I will just do it on the blog...next post.

Now, who will be covering the preliminary hearing as I just read on the computer in an article out of the San Francisco Chronicle titled: "Elder abuse cases drop under Jerry Brown."

I found this disconcerting and will put the link at the end for all to read.

We know the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper won't cover it, nor QAB radio with jock and KVHD board member, Bob Jamison (the only two other news organizations covering the valley). And TV is all about the pictures, which leaves The Bakersfield Californian.

So, for now, I'll hope that the court, the law, and the state can manage to keep this "can of worms" from wriggling out of the can thereby missing those big trout, and I will play by their rules.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2010/08/22/MNTS1EVGL3.DTL

To the Kern County Superior Court: regarding media release and video

To the Kern County Superior Court:
I wanted to apologize if there was a misunderstanding, as I had filled out the media release last Friday, and heard that there shouldn't be any problems.
When I went into the courtroom this morning, I told the bailiff I had a release to film. As it was I got maybe 30 seconds of film. When I returned later, I was told that I had filmed without permission. Naturally, I would not do that, I was under the impression as when I filmed two months ago, that there were no problems with the release.
But I did not take this film anywhere, and in fact, will not use this film at all, it will be deleted. It was said that KGET had put it on TV, but they were not in court, and I gave them nothing.
During the break, I went to my doctor, got something to eat and returned. That was it.
I'm sorry there was a misunderstanding, but I would NOT do that purposely without permission. Please understand that some sort of miscommunication took place. Thank you, Laura Hart (I'll fax this over and put it on file)

Honey, I shrunk the staff...click each to read

Starting in 2005, the number of staff positions available began dropping, although they had been higher and lower at different times, the trend toward slimming becomes apparent. An approximate 10% cut is seen in the six month period from July 2005 to January 2006. But along with this reduction is the hospital's seeming inability to maintain proper staffing plans.

No, we never had any problems with staffing that's according to anyone in administration or the sticky three board members, but most escpecially ex-CEO Pam Ott, and now CEFO, Chet Beedle.

These pages illustrate the downsizing at KVHD. Included is a CEO report and a DHS report. You decide. Look at the numbers.

These numbers start at 2005/2006, just before the investigation of the skilled nursing facility which lead to criminal and civil charges.

There were 307 staff positions in July 2005, then dropping to 270 in Jan. 2006. That's 37 jobs. And just as this is happening, the SNF is being investigated. And how many jobs remained "open" and not filled?

But apparently, the administration had other things on its mind, like measure M, and this problem is just being swept under the carpet.

For instance, Department of Health Services, required certain corrections when it did the Center for Medicaid Services survey in 2006. Many of these corrections didn't actually occur until 2008, and were signed by the new SNF management.

DHS did not check up on the staffing problems it cites in its reports, nor does this oversite entity follow up on the need for a full time director of nursing in the SNF. DHS actually wrote this off as corrected when indeed it was not corrected in June 2006 but in Aug. 2006 when DON, Gwen Hughes came on board. Lucy Miller, RN, was the first DON of 2006, and she was purported to be the correction, but left after only a few weeks.

These documents support the staff's complaints that there were not enough employees to handle both the ER and the SNF.

Ott created a "special" program to deal with these employee complaints, but both employees who came to the board with concerns and complaints moved on. Both well respected, but lost to a political and criminal maelstrom.

And the group which was underattended because of paranoia on the part of the employees, was something Ott said she did to appease these employees. Not what they said had merit; just that they were in the way of the new super KVHD wing going up with 12.5 in taxpayer money.

One of the two nurses said he came to KVHD to help increase technology because of his extensive background, but he complained that Ott had never followed through on his particular specialty. He had serious reservations about the administrations ability to produce the changes and improvements it was propagating to the community.

Even now, the CEFO, says there were never any staffing problems. Beedle has stuck by his claim that the KVHD hospital has abided the laws regarding nursing staffing ratios. (Maybe those are some of his projections)

However, that is directly in opposition to staff who still complain that staffing has never been correct or the scheduling and retention, remains ineffective.

The SNF was understaffed regularly in 2006 and many times staff would work on days off or when sick. Calls would have to be made to employees asking them to come in and fill empty slots just so the nursing center could remain open.

It was not a good situation for anyone in the SNF, the stress increased trying to keep the staff and perform up to optimum standards. The results of this practice are right in front of us now.

Between July 2005 and Feb. 2009 the staff positions have cut from 307 to 237; that's 70 jobs.

Again, with positions open the numbers have to be read in conjunction with the available slots and the per diem as well.

(there are also some hidden numbers here; where's Waldo?)

Next up: Debugging the system: CFO Chet Beedle

Former CEO expenses for travel and quotes from ex-employees.

Board member Brad Armstrong, from Buffer to Bully.

Measure M: local robbery thwarted

Bob Jamison and his personal war.

HIPAA laws: from privacy to complete transparency

Youtube update: Hospital in trouble? We thought they were building an ER...Management's risky situation

What is this really all about: bottom line

After reading the comments and emails, I have determined without a doubt that nobody really knows what the Kern Valley Healthcare District's position is financially or what this talk of a bond on the November 2ND ballot is all about.

At the August, 2010, regular meeting of the board of directors, Bob Jamison, read the resolution that the board had written in regards to the loosely fitted piece of election material, now known around town as "Measure G."

He did not clarify any of the legal citations, and I'm not sure why he read it, as it was obvious he skipped a page. Exhibit A.

Exhibit A refers to the "estimates" of property tax increases. I have five videos of different amounts being declared from the meeting one week prior to this last regular meeting. One week from a vote that they didn't know much about.

But we have been told, some of us anyway, that there is no "other" or "contingency" plan. We have been told the causes, were the contractors, the community debt to the hospital, the pharmacy, then the pharmacy being on the "charity cases" side of the lake, and we also heard that new word you never thought you would know, CAL MTG.

Cal Mtg. the insurer of our great big debt, and they had to pay off on some of the debt that Chet said in a meeting could lead to the management being replaced.


This is all because they could lose their jobs?

Could it be that since a couple of board members wouldn't step down during or after the elder abuse disaster allowing others to try and do better, that the administration, CEO, Tim McGlew and CFO, Chet Beedle (shown below at the special meeting prior to the regular Aug. board meeting where they voted in both bond and a CEO salary increase) have some vested interest in staying even if they can't pull the hospital out of the darkness without taxing the community?

I don't know what their motives are but they do have an interest in winning this bond and thereby keeping their jobs, healthcare, and mortgage payments like the rest of the world.

Chet Beedle came from a management company sent in by Cal Mtg., he is himself a management company on wheels. He has a background in management companies he knows that if he can't bail out this hospital, somebody else is going to do it.

He would lose his job. (A vote for Measure G is a vote for Chet Beedle's job)

Cal Mtg. is calling this a "default" no more technical default, as they had to use their money to pay for our shortfall this year.

"Cal Mtg. does have the authority within the bond indentures to replace administration at the hospital, and ask for, effectively, an outside management company." Chet Beedle, special board meeting, July 28, 2010.

(Update: Find these videos with Beedle "new management" and McGlew "the second bond" at our youtube site which will be linking up with the blog soon: http://www.youtube.com/user/OrderBipolarDisorder

And with no other plan, and only a bond, they intend to go to us in the community and tell us all about the new ER.

So, there's your answer.

From an article in the Santa Cruz Sentinel regarding the attempted bail out with a parcel tax, the Modoc Medical Center. This sounds too familiar as you will find these same issues right here on this blog, along with documentation of these practices at the Kern Valley Healthcare District.

"But the facility has been bleeding money for more than 15 years, with annual deficits ranging from $600,000 to $2.8 million in recent years, and the county has gone broke trying to keep the doors open. Monica Derner, interim chief executive officer of the hospital, says the financial trouble stems from mistakes made in the hospital's billing practices and a former administrator's decision to hire costly traveling nurses and doctors instead of retaining local staff."

Chet, remember when we talked about those traveling nurses...the three year old billings and now a salary increase during a bailout?

The term "Bail out" is not being used by KVHD to describe this situation. They are simply calling it a new ER with some new stuff to go along. What's wrong with this picture? You decide.

Structure fire in South Lake community: neighbors watched and waited

Late Sunday afternoon a structure fire broke out in the small lakeside community of South Shore Ranch Estates, in South Lake California, as firefighters quickly made their way to keep the situation contained as strong winds were blowing.

Less than a month after the fire across Lake Isabella in Kernville, burned more than 5000 acres after a small fire got away from firefighters and had consumed homes and other structures in a very short period, some residents of the south shore community were keeping a close eye on the fire as there homes were only a grassy field away.

The sky turned crimson as the red smoke rose into the air right at sunset, causing motorists to slow or stop to see the billowing fire.

This time of year the brush is dried and fires can spread quickly. One fireman said the trucks on scene were surrounding the burning barn keeping any embers from potentially setting off a grass fire which could reach surrounding homes.








A water truck could be seen entering the area surrounding
the fire, as fire trucks
came and went to the
local hydrant which
was not close enough
to reach the location of
the barn which was
the only structure
reported to be involved
at the time.

passers-by and residents helped out

by assisting with the

fire hydrant and filling

the trucks.

"We all know we live in a fire area," a good Samaritan said as he handed off the fire hose to be connected up to one of the fire trucks which were rotating in and out to get water on the scene.

Last word was one structure was involved and the fire has been contained. A resident of the area said the fire department was on the scene quickly and she never felt threatened.

But it is fire country and at any time fires can rush through quickly, there are many organizations which offer tips for what to do in case of fire, how to create an emergency plan, and what to do with your animals.