Persistance and Tenacity, requires a new chapter, a new beginning....

Monday, February 21, 2011

What's the bottom line: the Kern Valley Healthcare District blog

Kern Valley Health "scare" District...
In medicine, as in statecraft and propaganda, words are sometimes the most powerful drugs we can use- Dr. Sara Murray Jordan

Here I am pondering my relationship with the healthcare system, the labels, the diagnoses, the communication, the sad life altering mistakes, the hope that those who "care for us," assist us and take time to reach out to us, recognize their responsibility in the partnership.

I've taken up the quest on my side of the relationship to find out what has happened to me, my health, my responsibility, rather than to play the role of victim as if a doctor, practitioner will always reach the high standard we often revere or attribute to this profession.

Sadly we see so many in the role health practitioner as if it's a vocation, rather than an art, or a great business venture rather than a gift.

In the course of my life I've seen both sides, and that is why I am posting a comment that I will use as a springboard for further explanation.

Yes, I'm afraid the days of comments and roses are over on this blog, but the following comment caught my attention, and I would like to address it.



Oh for peat sakes Laura, do you never stop? Why don't you use all that
energy for good instead of bad?
You knew that Doc Gross was only in it for the
money when he moved here, what changed? Did you really think he cared about this
valley or that he believed the medical oath meant anything to him except bucks?
Gosh, and of course David Derr is a "rubberstamp," the people in this valley
knew that he and Doc Gross were "kissee, kissee" and buddys but the
'Progressives" get out the vote, and the public will have to eat the "Gross
product" of medical care for a long time as a result of that, his "take" in the
issue "kickbacks" is minor now, wait until he controls all the seats of the
board!

Obviously the author of that quote doesn't care for me anymore than Dr. Gross our KVHD board member, and was taking a cheap shot at him, but the point I am making is in regard to the idea that I have used my energy for "bad purposes."

Us against them! The good guys and the bad guys! Cowboys and Indians...you get it...you were a child once.

I realized long ago, that there is good in everything bad, and some bad in everything good.

I've made note that I use words to express general ideas, logic, irony, and these petty little symbols are actually some awesome tools.

"A dose of adversity is often as needful as a dose of medicine"-proverb

The things I do and say I believe in. They mean something to me or I wouldn't take the time to write about it. There are a "gazillian" (the amount of the debt in California) things any of us could do, at any time, and we all have something to contribute, to serve.

People mean something to me, their feelings, their participation in the world, and community (I'm not much for factions), a better way of life is what I fight for.

Tiger Woods started playing golf when he was three. When I was three I was already debating with my parents, teachers, and the church. It's what I do. I picked up a club, I mean a pencil, (though I've learned it is a weapon and to wield wisely) and never stopped writing.

But it's why I do it, that is often misunderstood.

I remember the shock when this blog first appeared, the hyperbole, the satire, the rhetoric, it simply riled up the whole neighborhood. H.L. Mencken made a career of antagonizing...Voltaire was often found revolting...and my contribution was to take on what some still consider a blasphemous target: healthcare and healthcare providers.

It was two elderly women, spiritual by nature, and confused as to my tactics and antics who straightened some of this out for me.

"God makes people for certain things, and it sure seems like this is yours," one seasoned woman told me after she questioned my motives and naturally my humor.

Their questions and my openess about what and why I'm doing what I'm doing in regard to this hospital, became important information for me, as I found understanding.

I've never actually physically hurt them, but they sure have hit me

When I was 17 my family doctor was away, and his partner, a semi-retired gentleman, saw me for the flu or something of that nature. From that day on we were friends until he retired and even after that time.

I was young, confused, one day an existentialist, the next a guardian of religion, and often very bi-polar.

Dr. Herrick and I visited regularly, he listened to my interpretations of the books I read, and often told me he wished he had more time to read literature and mingle with philosophy, but medicine had taken up his whole life.

I would ask him questions about medicine, though his answers were often unexpected. He was a man who thought for himself. He was trained, but not glued to the absolutes we see so many doctors talking about today.

"Take this medicine twice a day and this will happen, you will be...happy."

When did medicine begin to dictate happiness? I don't know, but Dr. Herrick would never have accepted that idea nor would he ever have preached it. In fact, if he were alive today, he would be aghast at what is happening and what happened to me.

On a "dime" it all turned

Generally speaking when you're young you don't think of your health, it is self sustaining. Bruises go away, the skin knits itself, and you're back on the road to...death I guess. (sorry I've been morose lately)

Acceptance was not too much to expect, but my whole life changed on October 1, 1999, because I didn't know or was educated as to what a medication could potentially do to me?

I don't know, it seems it became my problem, as once the Gentamicin permanently damaged my inner ear, the people in healthcare were turning their backs, changing their stories, justifying something as simple as not warning me.

They were no longer people to trust: they were cowards.

I see people in the stores buying medicines for headaches, diarrhea, stomach aches, GAS, a whole variety for us to choose from, over the counter. We became our own doctors, and we don't even realize not one of these things is completely safe. Unfortunately, that small percentage, who could be any one of us at any time, may die from some of these remedies, or like me, become permanently damaged and changed.

I've never seen the world the same way again, as my vision changed, my balance was gone, my whole life I had created was gone...that fast. I worked with no help, as I had been abandoned as a mistake healthcare providers prefer to avoid and move on with their lives.

There were people there, they were my family and their children. They saw what could happen with open eyes, to any of us. I couldn't walk five feet without falling. I couldn't see without holding my head completely still. The route from my bedroom to the bathroom was a series of things to grab onto: the door frame, kitchen counter, couch, baby swing, door frame, open door...find the toilet.

I really didn't think I could live like that. They have recently begun to study at least some sort of rehabilitation for this type of injury, but when it happened to me, it was "have a nice life."

It was work

I worked my ass "on" to build weight and muscle, and after a year, I dug a garden, watched the baby learn to walk while I was learning to walk, and began juicing, Jack LaLane style. Twice a day, one veggie and one fruit. Another year passed and I built an addition on my bedroom. The kids were now officially under Aunt Laura's care for some long, but wonderful days. I knew I had to have muscle as it was the balance system I have left after the inner ear stopped functioning. I cannot even get dizzy...which is a good thing mostly.

After three years, I felt that I would be able to contribute more and retrain, not necessarily regain, some of my former life. I learned to catch a ball again. The kids taught me, and laughed as it would sometimes hit me in the face or knock my glasses off my head.

Then along came a spider...Grave's disease. It began stripping me of my muscle and strength and the falls came more often, as they sometimes call this balance disorder, the "falling disorder." I learned as I had already predicted that if anything else happened to me, losing my muscle, a leg or some injury setting off my balance, I would be screwed: I hate it when I'm right.

Now I could not put my family through another round, and truthfully, I was afraid.

Fear of doctors and medicine

After a fairly decent life of health and a sudden challenge, came a disorder or series of problems which would keep me occupied with doctors and hospitals here in the Kern River Valley for the last seven years.

When I arrived I had lost almost 40 pounds, my hair was coming out by the handfuls, my hands shook so badly I couldn't grasp with any acuity.

But guess what? I sure as hell wasn't going to see a doctor. That was simply out of the question after what I had witnessed and endured. I was labeled, incriminated, and sure not ready to start again.

My neighbor made me do it

I suppose he got tired of taking out my trash as I would huff and puff trying to carry anything with my new "skinny" arms so he finally gave me the name of our KVHD Rural Health clinic doctor.

At first it was easy, I walked in, took a blood test and was told I had Grave's disease or an autoimmune disorder which effects the endocrine system, thyroid mostly, but eyes, and adrenals as well.

The first shot and we had a diagnosis, yippee!

Then mistake number one I have learned: don't take any medicine you don't have to REALLY, REALLY take. Now at the time I had insomnia to the point I was never sure if I slept, it was usually, kind of shut down for a minute or two and back up. I was problematic to say the least.

So, my doctor and "yours" has the idea that I need some medicine, and truthfully it would be two months later the FDA recognized that you don't use SSRI antidepressants on a bi-polar because as we now know, even a small amount can cause a crisis. Yes, a dribble of prozac and I was a singer and dancer the next morning.

It took six months to wear off, but during that time, we needed medicine to deal with the side effects of the original medicine.

Then we had more problems as my doctor had struck gold on our first meeting, we were now over a year, and I wasn't better, I was worse. I was his failure. So, the next issue is to talk about a radical idea: remove a part.

Lesson two: Don't let them remove anything you don't know about.

Though an endocrinologist in Bakersfield didn't believe I needed my thryoid irradiated, he was sure I was simply crazy, my doctor pressured me as did others I might add, to have the thing obliterated. "It will be easier to control," he told me.

It never was or has been. But we went through with it anyway. As things kept breaking and new medicines were needed, I started to think maybe it wasn't the thyroid causing the symptoms as the thyroid was gone. Was it the medications?

I need a veterinarian

My parrot has a great doctor and she doesn't even have to tell him anything or fill out forms. Her doctor actually saved me at one point after the thyroid slipped way out of whack, (yet it was my problem as I didn't know I was supposed to have gone to medical school at some point) when he mentioned my lethargy. I returned to the "human" doctor to find we had let the level of thyroid decrease to a 50, that's not .5 or 5, which would be normal, I mean 50. Thank God for veterinarians.

Though I had one good year, with some odd symptoms, but I had gained some weight, was able to at least do some writing for the local poison pen paper, and thought I had met some good people at our local hospital.

Our former CEO, Pam Ott, had me at her service, I was here to help healthcare. I did all I could to write the hospital on the front page, and get stories out there. But I also had a second job, getting a General obligation bond for the district. No Problemo!

It was all a delusion

I kept telling myself and my family that my doctor is overworked that's why they haven't figured out my odd symptoms, a rash that developed on my neck in 2006, which came along with another round of weight loss, and that specific symptom called "general malaise."

So, my doctor needed more help and a new hospital and building, and I was going to get it for us all.

There was not a part of me looking at all for anything wrong, in fact, it felt good to help a system that had permanently damaged me in the first place. I thought I was righting a wrong.

I campaigned for Measure M. I fought the naysayers, used my logic against all such as our board member and Doctor, Gross, as well as Robert and Kay Knight. Pam Ott, Bob Jamison, Brad Armstrong, Barbara Casas, all had me convinced these people were in the way of progress.

Not noting anything negative, forgiving the slights of my doctor, a very bad experience in the ER, didn't stop me, I fought for Measure M: and lost. We all looked at our computers the day after the election to find we were less than 100 votes from success. I was shocked. All the hope I had for the community and hospital, so close, but yet...Thank you GOD!

How did that happen?

That happened because I was not looking both ways when I crossed the street and I was hit by a bus...figuratively. I found out the CEO was hiding a nursing center full of horrors and cruelty. Not simple chemical restraining: but the CFO had cut the work force and as the nursing center slid into decay, the families were not being told of this new way of life at the hospital. Save money on staff, spend a little more on drugs.

I guess you don't have to imagine what I did in response, as we are still here, and there is still a trial in Kern County Court scheduled, and there are lives that will never be the same: and a hospital full of shame.

So, question for the writer of the comment above: why then when I did nothing but try to help this hospital, dumbed down for the experience, did it end up with people being hurt and taken?

The CEO didn't have the qualifications: she had a "diploma mill" resume. Who hired her?

If I was not so eager to help us all, and believe others had those same ideals, I would have seen what was obvious as it is now, that there are those who are simply helping themselves.

They seem to be fine with it. I'm not, but they seem to be.

I asked for help from our newest CEO and board member doctor

Almost a month ago I wrote a blog when I returned home from the hospital, scared and impaired, my health foresaken, my faith shaken, (I have that rhyming disorder) and now I am back to where I started.

Doctors and administrators no way are they going to take any responsibility for my health. I wrote to Tim McGlew like everyone does when they have a problem and need to feel safe again, and asked why I couldn't get help in the ER. He promised to look into it, that was November.

In December, for Christmas, I fainted as I had been to Sienna Wellness, the Gross establishment, time and again for three months asking for help with a gastric problem. My insurance paid to have them tell me to use 7up and milk. I kept telling them each VISIT, that my mouth is burned. Nothing. (I couldn't produce enough flames for them at that point. I guess they need to see the fire rather than find a reason for the smoke)

I was in the ER at least three times explaining the problem, then I had a "whatever episode" I get, which I fortunately hadn't had since Memorial day. Now I get the treatment from the ER: "Drug seeker."

If only logic applied as I have drugs at home because that's the only thing they can do. I wanted to know what the problem was as I was and am still losing weight.

No action from the CEO

McGlew apparently did nothing as each time I returned to the ER the treatment was worse and more demoralizing. And I got the luxury of knowing it wasn't just happening to me.

As two kids had committed suicide a doctor was yelling at a young one in the ER about using drugs. Not in a helpful manner such as, "do you need some help," but in a destructive manner, as "you're beyond help."

A 70 year old woman was put out on the black chairs in the ER waiting room Christmas night by Roy and Terry the compassionate nurses from hell. I was given some "different" drugs as Terry wouldn't tell me what I was given, she said it was "doctor's orders." I made sure to shuffle out and give this woman my number. But it was Christmas, and even on such a day, there was no compassion for anyone.

I was the only person in the ER left, why couldn't that woman have been kept warm and comfortable?

Then it was 1/20

I put my dog in the car and felt weak as I was going to get a cup of coffee. So, I stopped by the ER. I'll never be the same.

As the story goes it would have been far less damaging to have gone and just got that cup of coffee so I could finish my work. Instead, I was injured in every sector, but mostly because nobody seems to realize this place is dangerous....

THE NEXT TIME IT COULD BE YOU

McGlew offered no support, nor did Dr. Gross, nor did my PA Jim Gutzman. Instead after a trauma which remains, I'm seeing the same behavior again that I saw with Ott, and during my Gentamicin damage: no responsibility, lots of cruelty.

I don't want it to be you or your mother or father or child.

The hospital is not safe or sane.

(If you can believe the irony, I was told by somebody who obviously hadn't heard about this blog or me, "Never go to that hospital. How long have you been up here, don't you know that?" I stood shocked.)

All I can do is warn you, and I will continue to warn you while I find out exactly what has happened to me and then we will deal with that situation.

I've been out of the house only a few times since the visit to the hospital, but the one time I managed to get to the store, I heard a story...I thought "oh no," as the woman told the tale of her mother being discharged from the ER, told she was fine, only to have her in the ER waiting room the next day.

I stirred my coffee and listened as she was saying her mother had to come back and was left in the ER waiting room damaged more than the day before.

She said she called an ambulance. I laughed, as this was a person who wasn't going to take this with a grain of salt. The ambulance drivers were probably surprised to find they were being sent to the KVHD ER waiting room.

I interrupted to give her my name and number as is my practice, and she said I'll be talking with that guy, "Mglew or something" she said as if she meant business.

Gosh, I wonder what happened?

"None loves the messenger who brings bad news."-Sophocles

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Constitutional rights: we have none or so they say

Did he say "done deal" or "Dung Beetle?"

The Kern Valley Healthcare District February 2011 board of directors meeting was supposed to be a prelude to an "action" the board had made in December to bring on a law firm which was scheduled to answer questions regarding different options the district had in regard to its debt with state lender and heavy weight Cal Mtg.

David Weinstein, now slightly famous in this town, as Kern Valley Sun reporter, Susan Barr, the newspaper's apparent legal expert, keeps mentioning the attorney in her "stories" as she doesn't believe he can out horsepower our lender/co-conspirator, Cal Mtg. She has asked questions, made allusions, but would NOT take the evidence of such or even contact the firm to truly keep this town appraised of their options.

So, we have some interesting things in the works, it appears, as CFO, (chief flunky of OSHPD) Chet Beedle, has said that there is a "deal" going down with Cal Mtg. and it is a "done deal." (okay? I'm assuming the board hasn't voted as that is never of concern to Mr. Beedle who big bad Cal Mtg. hides behind: pretty pathetic Mr. Morey)

According to Sue Barr's articles Weinstein is untested or untrue, but we have yet to hear from him, so how can she assume that and include it in the newspaper?

And Barr didn't mention the board vote in December which was to bring on Weinstein to talk about ALL OUR OPTIONS available, not only the ones brought up by board members such as Dr. Robert Gross DO, Beedle and CEOish Tim McGlew.

Nobody has mentioned that we have the RIGHT to hear this information as it was not a vote to bring this firm on to do anything, it is simply information.

What are they scared of?

Could it be that since Cal Mtg. when they contracted with our lowly hospital in 1988, sold a bunch of bonds, paid themselves off all of their premiums in 2003 via "Chester the investor,"Beedle, took out lines of credit to pay the bondholders in the name of conflict of interest, doesn't want to deal with an attorney who could possibly simply mention that this organization put a clause in the contract voiding rights to bankruptcy?

Doesn't mean we have to bankrupt, but they took away our CONSTITUTIONAL rights, to allow such a clause to be in this "contract." (and some nuts on the board of that time voted for it.)

A weak constitution

How would you feel about losing your rights to have those guns, types like former board member Brad Armstrong, and gun toting chap, he signed this contract with Cal Mtg. would he sign away his pistol too?

Would Sue Barr who was part of the "tea party" (the mob who forgot to read their history books) approve of her right to gather and do whatever, be disallowed? I'm sure she would like to know what her OPTIONS were, and probably not appreciate this not happening based on some reporters ignorance.

Shut up, would be the motto, if we took away freedom of speech...Let's just follow Cal Mtg.'s example and stop all sorts of things allowed under the Constitution of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

They get away with it because of our laziness

As we all can see our rights have been chipped away, and when it comes to a lender such as Cal Mtg. under the auspices of OSHPD, to do this to one hospital (or another?) right in that they have no right to do a bankruptcy is simply...umm, what's the word, CRIMINAL.

Now all I have wanted to hear is from a objective party what can be done to deal with this organization that gets away with money it doesn't deserve.

Should Chet Beedle have paid all the premiums to Cal Mtg. in 2003, along with other expenses to refinance their sagging bonds they peddled due to the advise of such wise firms, as Goldman Sachs, who were bailed out by the federal government?

Cal Mtg. got all their monies due them, 30 years worth, (how that happened ask Beedle) now they get money to help us from going under when they are the ones holding us under.

It still makes me laugh

Not that recently I've had much to laugh about, but when I think back to Dr. Gross DO, a supposed political "progressive" and his statement about how Cal Mtg. has big attorneys who are bigger than anyone we could get, I realize he never considered anything outside of what has been done before. We are chasing our tails, such as the general obligation bond issue.

There's nothing progressive about a person or board or administrator that won't look at options or is too afraid to take up an issue that is obviously absurd: "you can't bankrupt." Geez, look it up. Due your diligence.

What would be extra funny is if the board member, progressive, hospitalist, owner of Sienna Wellness signed a contract which he wasn't happy with, gosh what would he do?

Oh, that's right, his office was supposed to be an urgent care, which would save people in the valley money not having to go to the ER at KVHD. He had high hopes, but instead got an attorney.

However, Gross' attorney was okay because it served him, as he was angry, with Beedle and company. That was fine, as he was representing himself, not the community. However, that has changed hasn't it...hasn't it? (Now I don't think he carries a gun, I know I don't)

Gross seems to be a happy camper now, as he sides always with Beedle never questioning, and even supporting a board member, "mini-Gross," or David Derr, in the election so that he can make sure he has his way. We will never see Gross yelling at Derr, as he has done to his detractors in the past.

So, why can't we hear it

Well, if my guess is correct, Cal Mtg. cannot risk an attorney coming in and possibly suggesting things such as, dum, da, dum, dum, dum: NEGOTIATION. Hide your children, close your doors, roll up the doormat, or run, someone may know more than Sue Barr and Dr. Gross...........

In all fairness, if I were a criminal type organization where kickbacks were not part of a football game, and goals were never met, I'd hide from someone with knowledge too.

Let me in on one little secret: you're stupid KRV

Now, I said that, but what I meant was...you're stupid and gullible that's what I meant, if you believe that two of the highest paid administrators in Kern County, Chet Beedle and Tim McGlew, care a wit about the future of a valley they don't even live in.

That's like asking Jeb Bush to give money to California...duh.

It's not that we are stupid, it is that we don't understand the accounting system, or I'll hold back on this one, the unaccounted for system where 75K dollars can disappear just before the end of the fiscal year. POOF.

And nobody cares? Come on, if you go to the meetings, good for you. If you learn from the meetings, good for everyone.

Sadly, though, we have let our CONSTITUTIONAL rights be laid to rest before us, without a wink from the press, or an angry word from the community, only a few who hide in the background hoping someone else will do the dirty work and contain this fire.

One attorney could cause all this ruckus, paranoia and confusion: Wow, that speaks volumes. Too bad nobody reads between the lines anymore.

I'm in this for good...(we solidified that on 1/20 which was my 9/11) as this is not just our constitutional rights, which is a HUGE issue, but it is the safety of the community to get care.

Cal Mtg. I apologize, I thought you were bigger and badder than this: SCARED OF ONE ATTORNEY.

Think about it...it's funny.

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

How to file complaints: New KVHD "risk manager" Colleen Clayson

Risk manager for KVHD: Colleen Clayson

After a few rounds of emails between Kern Valley Healthcare District CEO, Tim McGlew, I got a call from the latest risk manager, Colleen Clayson.

Imagine the idea of being the "risk manager" at KVHD?
As we know former employee, and CNO, Sharon Brucker left that position as well as being head of cardiology and pulmonary departments, only a few months ago, and now a new name is on the wind, Colleen Clayson.

Clayson's job is not an easy one, and now the CEO has more time as he was answering complaints, along with board member, hospitalist, and owner of Sienna Wellness, Dr. Robert Gross DO, (which is quite the odd position as "normal" board members are forbidden to micromanage employees or obviously give a medical opinion on complaints, such as when one speaks to employee and Chief Nursing Officer, Mark Gordon.) who is now being pointed at by his CEO in regard to my "case."

The phone call

I received a phone call from Clayson late last week regarding my complaint. We danced around all sorts of issues, but I have a serious question as to something she said.

She told me the "website" I had utilized with Tim McGlew regarding the use or misuse of the drug "NARCAN" was incorrect as it can be used on people who are wide awake and not expecting a painful reaction as she had done it herself as an RN. I quickly asked her to clarify about the website and the uses of the medications: "could you cite your source so I can look it up?" I asked.

I responded that the website was only the first one I looked at upon coming in the door after being hospitalized and not having been told what this medication was or what is was doing to me. Telling her I finally talked to medical professionals about the drug, and its interaction with the "new" to the market medication I used, I really wanted to hear what she knew.

In a quick turnabout, she said, "well, I'm not a doctor."

However, moments before she was telling me she was an experienced RN who had used this medication on, I'm guessing people who are awake and alert, not experiencing respiratory depression, and have heart conditions, just like me. Hmm?

As when my father contacted Mr. McGlew and asked, or demanded probably, that he tell him what happened to my daughter. McGlew said, according to my Dad, "I'm not a doctor, call Jim Gutzman."

Welcome to the risk management department...they went that away...

So those who have problems with the hospital, its services, billings, doctors, you now can expect to be dancing with a fresh face, though the answers are much the same.

What can we do? I was asked that by Miss Clayson. I also asked for help from both the CEO and Sienna Wellness Institute with my issues: Nothing.

This sound more like the "Taking a risk department" rather than managing the problems...

More issues to speak of: What happened to David Weinstein's visit scheduled for today? Again, I ask why the hospital is not allowed, now after taking action to do it, to know all options that deal with its money issues? There was a vote...remember? And now there is some sort of hold up (funny), why it wouldn't be Cal Mtg. would it?
My new opinion: NO MORE SECRETS...purge, purge, purge!

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

Complaints, promises, and then...nothing: KVHD dysfunctional

Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord; He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored; He hath loosed the fateful lightning of His terrible swift sword; His truth is marching on..."Battle Hymn of the Republic" by Julia Howe 1861.


Almost three weeks ago I made a decision which has changed me in every way: I decided to give the Kern Valley Healthcare District one more chance as my heart was palpitating and I felt weak one morning. 


However, prior to this January, visit, I had been complaining of health issues which apparently weren't serious to my primary doctor or PA, James Gutzman, of Sienna Wellness Institute.

Since these health issues were of concern to me, most especially the gastric as I have battled a weight problem for seven years now, and have been filmed at KVHD meetings weighing in at a childhood density of 85 pounds, so it was important. 


As I went back and forth to Sienna Wellness, owned by Dr. Robert Gross DO and wife, Holly Spohn Gross, and partner, Dr. Finstad, I found my concerns dismissed. I tried to express the problems in the best manner I could, but apparently, it fell short. 


But my concerns were becoming more emergent, so in December I was seen at the KVHD ER four times. One of, or part of the visit, was successful in that certain issues were found, and a medication temporarily helped my gastric issue. Then the second half of the day included the rudeness of Dr. Gregory Crawford, the doctor who has treated me like dirt but also treated my 90 year-old neighbor the same way. (there's more to this story, as I have found out a few things since my WWII veteran and I went to meet Tim McGlew and CNO, Mark Gordon after his experience)


I asked Tim Mcglew in an email and at the board meeting to look into Crawfords' behavior towards me and a child who was being seen the night I was there.


Now, McGlew has been very able to make promises of change, and that is great...except promises are not action. And allowing his subordinate, CFO, Chet Beedle to argue with a pre-teen at a meeting, yell at the public for questioning his numbers which were truly off (see story below), and demanding that we all form our questions to him in a positive manner (try being an employee of the Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy and see how many positive responses they get in a day. Nor do they get paid near the salary, and they have lost FT positions, benefits, and likely peace of mind.): Beedle simply gets away with it all. 


McGlew is not acting as a manager or leader, simply a follower. But of who? (CM?)

As it stands with my healthcare alone, costs have gone into the thousands of dollars, yet, I have not received adequate care.


Should my complaint have been an alarm that there is trouble in the ER? That Sienna Wellness is not following its patients?


Currently, McGlew has separated himself from Sienna Wellness, indicating that there is KVHD and there is Dr. Gross and his clinic, whom he has sent me to regarding the discrimination complaints and inadequate concern. Though there was a conversation between McGlew, Gutzman and I over the phone, from there the finger is pointing at Sienna Wellness a provider who is part of the Medicare system. 


If McGlew were serious, could he have not finished this almost two month investigation? Could we have not saved the money from Medicare? I never heard back on this though I kept asking. As you will see in the email which contains his explanation also about the HFS engagement, and the slanderous tone Dr. Gross took regarding HFS's report, there is simply NOTHING being done. 


According to various agencies which investigate these sorts of cases, you must start at the hospital with your complaint. Then give them time, not your whole life-a reasonable limit, to fix the problems and aid you in any way they can to resolve lingering issues. 


Lucky for all of us who have complaints, certain agencies are receiving monies to increase their investigative powers over hospitals that are not in compliance, or are actually hurting or even "doing more harm than good" to its patients.


My last visit to Sienna Wellness, my body in severe pain, my emotions shocked, tears rolling down my face, and Jim Gutzman PA, father of two, announces to his office or audience, "does she have a gun?" He goes on to say that by the looks of me we can expect me to begin shooting people. He also brings in a neophyte with him, who likely will be a medical assistant, who knows nothing of me, but is hearing all about me.

Not only am I a bi-polar with a gun supposedly, but I am a woman who took "Armour" thyroid. Gutzman has expressed on more than this one occasion that it's us "women" who want to use this natural alternative thyroid supplement, and he, "the man" has to constantly try to get us to stop.

And apparently, he says, women doctors are out promoting this misguided thyroid therapy, and he has had to spend time treating these female patients who are taking advice from ill equipped "women doctors."

Women are inferior and then you add the fact that Gutzman, a self proclaimed expert in mental health due to six weeks he spent in a psyche ward, bi-polars such as myself who are not chemically restrained, are simply problematic.

In our communication or lack thereof, I feel always a necessity to explain and prove the veracity of my statements. I'm sure Chuck White has nothing to explain as people are treated at Sienna based apparently on their sex, political affiliation, or even their exploits such as the work White did to help the hospital try and garner 22 million in property taxes during the last election. White also runs "friends of the hospital."

Do you think they would dismiss him for being male or taking a medication others men are taking? You all know the answer.

Ironically, if Tim Mcglew had done what he said he was going to do to stop the insanity in that ER, Medicare and other agencies would not have to spend their money and time to come in and investigate what happened to me. It's obvious what happened...they said they would not mix politics with medicine, but they did and added some prejudice to boot.

I know there are communication problems, but explain to me what I've done to cause this? Should I have complained about Gutzman the first time he began his rants about women doctors and patients?

Should I have left it all alone and played along? Shutting my eyes and cotton in my ears?

On Christmas I fainted at my home and managed to crawl into my bed. An ambulance was called. This was before i took the new medication all should be afraid of, EXOGAL, and I left the hospital with the diagnosis of a "panic attack" and "unknown pain." I fainted from this? The nurse, Terry, some of you may have dealt with her, said, I was having drug withdrawal, so before I could ask what they were giving me, I was hit with medication in an IV I know nothing about.

I reported this to Sienna and Gutzman, only to have a shrug, and possibly a note in my records. And CEO Tim Mcglew knew too.

A dysfunctional hospital cannot be considered a safe place to get care. It's up to all of us, but someone who doesn't know me said, "you didn't go to the hospital up here did you?" The look on my face was enough of an answer. 


And finally, not only dysfunctional, but with no compassion, a 71 year-old woman who was also Gutzman's patient was in the ER Christmas night along with me. It as a slow night as Terry and Roy were obviously not happy about being there, ignored this woman who complained her daughter was taking over her house and money. I heard it though and told her I would giver her my phone number if she needed some help. 


I heard Terry ask Roy, "what are you gonna do about the old lady?" Roy responded, "if her daughter doesn't pick her up by midnight, I'll call the police and that will be that." 


I found the woman stretched out on the black chairs in the waiting area, even though there were open beds in the ER, she was moaning in pain, uncomfortable...it was Christmas night for crying out loud.
Merry Christmas from KVHD...I gave her my phone number.
==========================================================================
The EMAILS (edited to keep shorter)
From: Laura [mailto:hartofthekrv@msn.com]
Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 3:37 AMTo: McGlew, TimothySubject: Laura Hart/questions, complaint

Hi Tim:
Just wondering about a few things, such as any update on Crawford's investigation? Also, has there been a meeting set up with David Weinstein? And what are we going to do regarding retrieving some of the HFS monies back from the "whatever" they did which didn't sound like a lot. I had high hopes they were a company with some vision and good with details as they did with Sierra Kings, but I HFS has different people for different positions, which says there are some clunkers in the bunch too.

Is there anyway in the contract we can retrieve some of that money back? Court, contractual obligations, something along those lines?

We needed a good boost of ideas, we both know that, and I'm aiming at them now, because I don't think it's fair that we get nothing out of that money. Or, I don't know, could we ask for a redo with other members of their organization?

I don't know but I don't think it's fair to any of us.

Tim's response 12/17/2010:
Laura,

Sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you. I’ve been out sick for a good portion of the week and my e-mails piled up. On the investigation, I am almost finished with it. I have two more individuals to interview.
As for the HFS money, there seems to be a real disconnect. (VIDEO different than what he explains here) As I prefaced my remarks regarding the strategic planning proposals, I stated that all three of the companies could do a good job with the assignment. If I didn’t think they could I wouldn’t have even put them on the list. There were others I researched who charged considerably more money. I narrowed the selection to those who had proven track records and were reasonable financially. There were unfortunately some negative comments that were made against HFS at the meeting. (Dr. Gross was lying then?)
The work that HFS did was substantial. They put considerable time into the project, most likely many more hours than they billed us. The original budget for HFS was capped $75,000. Approximately $37,000 was actually billed for the services provided. HFS did come up with a number of very good ideas that have been implemented as part of our turnaround plan. Were all of the ideas solid? No, not really, but enough of them were to be of assistance to the District. Was there a difference of opinion on some of the analyses? Of course, that happens. HFS is a reputable consulting group that does considerable work in the state and elsewhere. I have no intention of trying to get money back from them for the work they’ve done.
Tim
(I never received a response and wound up in the ER in January, hospitalized for five days, given medications without consent, transferred with probable discriminatory or inflammatory information in my records which lead to a serious traumatic event at San Joaquin Hospital. I Promise.)

More on this story: records that leave the ER...drug seeker and my WWII friend, an alcoholic? Doctors influencing other doctors...? Why didn't San Joaquin Hospital know what had happened to me? And the same hospital called my neighbor, WWII hero, a chronic alcoholic based on the records from KVHD (Dr. Gregory Crawford).

Friday, February 4, 2011

And then there's Fraud: customers describe malpractice and billing issues

Tales of the dark side: KVHD ER visit and Pharmacist mistake

She brought her husband in to get a catheter, and Dr. Gregory Crawford, of the Kern Valley Healthcare District, Emergency Room, gave her some bad news: her husband had heart failure.

At a meeting, late last year, the woman pictured below showed up to the tell the board of directors and their management team that this was not so, her husband simply needed a catheter, but they put her and her spouse through "terror." (sounds familiar to me)


Sitting next to the newest board member, David Derr, who was promoted by Dr. Gross owner of Sienna Wellness, this woman said Crawford changed all her husband's medications, which left him with hypo tension, she said, 80/40 blood pressure.
Greg Davis, PA, with the Rural Health Clinic was supposed to have visited their home, after the ER turned into a whole new set of tests, diagnoses, etc. Now, I have never heard of these home visits or how the KVHD administration bills or doesn't bill for such service, but unfortunately, her husband was now back at the hospital.
This time, after she attempted to get him his 'new' medicines from the KVHD retail pharmacy, he was back to the ER being transferred to Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield.
"Now this is ridiculous, I don't know how many tests he ran, but to me that's fraud."
After the trip to Memorial, she told the board, he came back on the "...same medication he was on from the very beginning."
A seemingly concerned, KVHD chairwoman, Victoria Alwin, told her to speak with Tim McGlew, the CEO, as he had an open door policy. And that she could speak to him in "private."
My take on it, was that she wanted attention to the matter in the ER, not a brush off by an administrator. As to the outcome, we know from her perspective, that her husband had to endure a number of new tests, new side effects from medications, a hospital stay, a transfer, and finally back to the medications he was on...not good.
And do they have Medicare? Did Medicare pay to torture this woman and her husband? I sure hope not, as this will be the topic of the month...what's on your bill?

The pharmacist
Marge Eckman, came to the meeting, steaming mad, as her husband, she said, was given a prescription bottle without critical information on the bottle, as well as having two dosages in one bottle.
She made a "mock" prescription of pills, indicating cotton was used to separate the two different dosages and the pharmacist gave her this bottle to take home.
Her ire was up, as Alwin, AKA, "timer lady" told her she had three minutes to finish her story. Eckman dismissed her with her hand, and kept talking about the SAFETY issues associated with this type of situation. (they don't like this stuff on film as you would suspect)
Once again our CEO, took up the position that he would fix the situation. The pharmacist was "terminated" or something of that nature, we were told, and has not been seen around since that meeting. (See article in the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper, by Susan Barr, regarding all the good things about this former pharmacist)

Here's your prize
After the board was either irritated or dismissive as you can tell from the picture, Dr. Robert Gross DO, rubbing his forehead, his usual demeanor when having to deal with an issue, and Alwin shocked that anyone would go past their three minute limit, Eckman wound up with her husband in the ER.
Marge called me the next month to say that she had been in the ER and met a doctor, the director of the "standby" emergency room, and they were almost like "kin" now. I said, what do you mean?
She told me, he was Armenian or had some Armenian relatives, and they were now "very close." In fact, she was given his cell phone number and told to call him anytime.
I said, "good, call him all the time." She responded, "I have called him three times..." and went on to say he "gave me some good advice."
Mind you, this was before the election, which had "Measure G" in the balance, and those who complained were properly lubricated as the hospital had much money at stake.
I asked Marge, "you didn't cancel your complaint with the board of pharmacy because of his sudden interest in you and your husband's health?"
She repsonded, "No way, I'm not stupid." (And I agree)

Dr. Sacapano, shown here, at a board meeting early in 2010, when he became the "medical director" for the ER.
Sacapano would then be responsible for the actions of the doctors who work for him inside the ER. He would be responsible for their behavior, such as the complaints made by others, such as myself, about doctor's such as Dr. Gregory Crawford, who has probably had at least three complaints go to Tim McGlew through my channels.
Has the ER improved? No. And Dr. Sacapano has to take that seriously if he is to be the "director" or lead in the play.
I want to talk about what happened to me, but now for a reason: It cost taxpayers thousands of dollars for my ER visits, and some of the items on my bills were not even within the realm of my issues.
My issues should have been handled by my regular doctor at Sienna Wellness Clinic, but I ended up at the ER as I was not treated for my "actual" complaints. Visit after visit, call after call, and finally the ER. And the bill for the ER is not only outrageous, but it's "untrue" in certain cases.
Next up: Medicare and Medi-Cal Fraud: it's easy and it's profitable...look there Kamala Harris as Jerry Brown left a mess here at KVHD.