Persistance and Tenacity, requires a new chapter, a new beginning....
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Complaints to the cook can be hazardous to your health: the death threats/HIPAA/medical contacts
(This is a tape of two phone calls recorded from a voice mail on a phone. One received after I complained about treatment in the Kern Valley Healthcare District ER. The second one came in five hours after I left a message for a doctor at the ER to call me as I had heard his taped conversation with poison control)
My master plan: Watch Out!
After years of attacks on my character, intentions, and information, I had only begun to put together the case that should have been easily opened and closed by the people employed or elected to keep us safe from harmful healthcare practices: The Department of Public Health, Office of Inspector General, the Kern County Grand Jury, the Department of Justice, the IRS, county DA, local representatives and the state Medical Board, amongst others paid for these services.
I am severely injured due to a visit starting at the Kern Valley Healthcare District ER on 1/20/2011. I'm not up to going over the details of the events again at this time, but you can catch it on the blog if you like "horror stories."
Somebody told me, "don't let them see you sweat," and I disagreed completely. I said if it's the truth, then that's how it's told. What reaction I get is insignificant, what I can remember is vital.
My master plan is to continue to tell the truth, and that's a powerful tool as it's the only thing that most people can remember.
Liars, who concoct stories, will not be able to recall their diversions from the truth. I don't divert from the truth, I embrace it, for some of us it's a way of living, so I don't "sweat anything." And that is what gives me hope that the prevaricators will slip up and forget what they said a week, month, year ago, years ago? The more time passes the more molasses to try and recall.
The craven
After my ordeal with KVHD ER and transfer to a Bakersfield hospital on 1/20/11, I finally came home to find another nightmare: my medical contacts were breached.
If you read the story on 4/10/11, I believe you will see I make mention that some of my medical contacts received death threats.
The reason that the coward who made the threats could do this, is that I had made a list of people to call in case I was unable to make medical decisions for myself, in fact, it was in December 2010 this was done, only a month before this incident. It was my unsuccessful effort to protect myself.
Not an advanced directive, but a directive for care, for me. Nobody in my family was called when I was in the ER, appraised I was transferred or even told about my condition by KVHD staffers. But an obviously deviant person gained access to my records and began calling the contacts, including my 91 year-old neighbor who thought I was dead.
The truth will speak for itself
With my nefarious master plan of continuing to tell the truth, I am putting up the tapes that go along with the events I have described.
We are starting with the death threats and will move on to "Poison control" and "Sienna Wellness" to solidify my "truth."
If you recognize this voice, gosh, give me a call...or not.
(As is usual with computers and seemingly competing programs, I have had a sound problem reported. When I can, I will attempt to make the audio portions clearer)
Steve Russo HFS: What happened to this report? And more KVHD conundrums including the much awaited strategic planning "plan"
Money for nothing
Down the rabbit hole, or on this blog, I have collected decades worth of evidence showing how the Kern Valley Healthcare District has mishandled it's business "affairs" over the last 20 plus years.
Though it began for me, as I have described in the summary, as a case of elder abuse, and mishandling of law enforcement to protect the patients living in the KVHD nursing center, it turned into a more complex case the California Department of Justice simply did not want to handle.
That was only the beginning, as money which is now so scarce in these parts, (rural blight) went into the pockets of those who had contributed to the downfall of the small hospital and Rural Health clinic.
Contractors: Bernie and his PR company got 60K dollars for doing something undisclosed.
HFS a financial firm who put together a plan to aid the hospital in default with creditor, insurer, Cal Mtg, and help pull them out of the ditch they are stuck in from years of imprudent spending, was a 75K dollar boondoggle as board members complained that HFS had left holes KVHD had to repair in the report.
It was reported only after that meeting in December 2010, that HFS gave KVHD back 40K dollars for, what we can only assume, as board member, Dr. Robert Gross DO, said was a lot of mistakes.
"The finance committee found a lot of holes-a lot of mistakes, large mistakes," Gross told the audience about the report.
He added, which I think is a good line, but not pertaining to HFS, more like KVHD: "So do we really want to trust them with planning our financial future, when they had giant holes and we paid top dollar for that?"
Again, what did they pay for? And why did they, meaning KVHD and Cal Mtg., not take action against HFS for what they called a report full of mistakes in public and on film?
I have the report, or maybe even "a" report and I would like to know what parts are the mistakes and how did KVHD who hand picked HFS to do this "operations report" as the hospital was floating checks, and not checking to see if they were still afloat, while they went into default.
Strategic planning...more unnecessary costs?
The CFO, Chet Beedle, and CEO, Tim McGlew, both supported the hiring of a strategic planning group. However, the survey which cost the hospital 15K dollars, has yet to be unveiled after 8 months, and those who attended the sessions were directed to only make inquiries which were positive, according to owner, Michael Philps.
However, Beedle's resume, suggests, or really states that he is an "expert in strategic planning for rural healthcare districts." Again, this makes no sense, to spend money when you already have hired personnel who does this sort of project...and is an expert.
And there have been some really intensive plans created before this one, at a cost too, and yet most of the information gathered never was utilized, therefore more wasted time and money.
When asked how it will be different this time around, Philps answered that his company suggests that the board address the planning issues from his survey at every meeting.
We have yet to even see the first draft.
When the selection process took place last year, Board member Kay Knight, asked why HFS was not in the running to do the planning and she asked the CEO if he had talked to them about reducing the costs for a strategic makeover.
McGlew reported he has spoken to HFS about their costs, which were submitted at 20K dollars, and the two other players, Focus and Execute, bid 13K dollars, while Philps wanted 15K dollars.
The contract went to Philps, as McGlew said he spoke to other CEO's who have used that particular firm. But his reason was the money: grant money.
"Their figure was 15K but Focus and Execute was 13K-so but again these guys went out to find grant monies to offset some of these costs..." McGlew explained.
What is wrong with this picture?
First, KVHD had a default with Cal Mtg. last summer, or actually since the "80's" but Cal Mtg. gave the sinking hospital the choice of the company that would do another in a long line of reports costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they chose HFS.
HFS we were told would report to the community about their findings, but this never happened. Instead, at the December 2010 KVHD board meeting, we found out from Dr. Robert Gross that HFS made "mistakes."
The HFS contract we were told cost 75K dollars, and that payment was coming from a line of credit backed by Cal mtg. from West America Bank.
Yet, somehow, HFS, was selected to be in the running for the strategic planning contract. Why would you even consider a company that is supposed to have made "large mistakes?" (Dr. Gross asked that question and I think it was a worthy one)
How many wishes were granted?
Then you have the issue of Philps and the grant money they grabbed to help KVHD offset costs, said the top administrator. First, at the meeting McGlew reported Philps had obtained the grant money themselves.
In a phone interview, I congratulated Mr. Philps on garnering grant money to help KVHD save a few dollars on their latest planning session. Then I asked him exactly how he went about the process with this grant money and if the other companies were also doing this.
Philps answered most of my questions, but would not answer that particular question and directed me to speak with McGlew. I told him I got an answer from McGlew, and he said they gave over their annual 9K dollar SHIP grant monies: These are monies that go to the hospital, not to firms vying for a contract or job.
At the July 2011 meeting, only a few weeks ago, we heard that finally, there will be a presentation with the data gathered by Philps. But last year we were told we would be seeing the HFS report too, and that never happened.
Will KVHD have to fill in the "holes" in the strategic planning report too? What if the report is not what they want us to hear, can we get our money back such as with HFS?
Steve Russo of HFS was asked about the problems with the KVHD report, but offered no explanation.
But then nobody could offer a lucid explanation as to why HFS was not fired and another company brought in to finish this operations analysis. I don't understand why KVHD was fixing the report for another company, especially when they were in default caused by their own mistakes, as the company was to provide an objective analysis.
Mind boggling isn't it?
Down the rabbit hole, or on this blog, I have collected decades worth of evidence showing how the Kern Valley Healthcare District has mishandled it's business "affairs" over the last 20 plus years.
Though it began for me, as I have described in the summary, as a case of elder abuse, and mishandling of law enforcement to protect the patients living in the KVHD nursing center, it turned into a more complex case the California Department of Justice simply did not want to handle.
That was only the beginning, as money which is now so scarce in these parts, (rural blight) went into the pockets of those who had contributed to the downfall of the small hospital and Rural Health clinic.
Contractors: Bernie and his PR company got 60K dollars for doing something undisclosed.
HFS a financial firm who put together a plan to aid the hospital in default with creditor, insurer, Cal Mtg, and help pull them out of the ditch they are stuck in from years of imprudent spending, was a 75K dollar boondoggle as board members complained that HFS had left holes KVHD had to repair in the report.
It was reported only after that meeting in December 2010, that HFS gave KVHD back 40K dollars for, what we can only assume, as board member, Dr. Robert Gross DO, said was a lot of mistakes.
"The finance committee found a lot of holes-a lot of mistakes, large mistakes," Gross told the audience about the report.
He added, which I think is a good line, but not pertaining to HFS, more like KVHD: "So do we really want to trust them with planning our financial future, when they had giant holes and we paid top dollar for that?"
Again, what did they pay for? And why did they, meaning KVHD and Cal Mtg., not take action against HFS for what they called a report full of mistakes in public and on film?
I have the report, or maybe even "a" report and I would like to know what parts are the mistakes and how did KVHD who hand picked HFS to do this "operations report" as the hospital was floating checks, and not checking to see if they were still afloat, while they went into default.
Strategic planning...more unnecessary costs?
The CFO, Chet Beedle, and CEO, Tim McGlew, both supported the hiring of a strategic planning group. However, the survey which cost the hospital 15K dollars, has yet to be unveiled after 8 months, and those who attended the sessions were directed to only make inquiries which were positive, according to owner, Michael Philps.
However, Beedle's resume, suggests, or really states that he is an "expert in strategic planning for rural healthcare districts." Again, this makes no sense, to spend money when you already have hired personnel who does this sort of project...and is an expert.
And there have been some really intensive plans created before this one, at a cost too, and yet most of the information gathered never was utilized, therefore more wasted time and money.
When asked how it will be different this time around, Philps answered that his company suggests that the board address the planning issues from his survey at every meeting.
We have yet to even see the first draft.
When the selection process took place last year, Board member Kay Knight, asked why HFS was not in the running to do the planning and she asked the CEO if he had talked to them about reducing the costs for a strategic makeover.
McGlew reported he has spoken to HFS about their costs, which were submitted at 20K dollars, and the two other players, Focus and Execute, bid 13K dollars, while Philps wanted 15K dollars.
The contract went to Philps, as McGlew said he spoke to other CEO's who have used that particular firm. But his reason was the money: grant money.
"Their figure was 15K but Focus and Execute was 13K-so but again these guys went out to find grant monies to offset some of these costs..." McGlew explained.
What is wrong with this picture?
First, KVHD had a default with Cal Mtg. last summer, or actually since the "80's" but Cal Mtg. gave the sinking hospital the choice of the company that would do another in a long line of reports costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, and they chose HFS.
HFS we were told would report to the community about their findings, but this never happened. Instead, at the December 2010 KVHD board meeting, we found out from Dr. Robert Gross that HFS made "mistakes."
The HFS contract we were told cost 75K dollars, and that payment was coming from a line of credit backed by Cal mtg. from West America Bank.
Yet, somehow, HFS, was selected to be in the running for the strategic planning contract. Why would you even consider a company that is supposed to have made "large mistakes?" (Dr. Gross asked that question and I think it was a worthy one)
How many wishes were granted?
Then you have the issue of Philps and the grant money they grabbed to help KVHD offset costs, said the top administrator. First, at the meeting McGlew reported Philps had obtained the grant money themselves.
In a phone interview, I congratulated Mr. Philps on garnering grant money to help KVHD save a few dollars on their latest planning session. Then I asked him exactly how he went about the process with this grant money and if the other companies were also doing this.
Philps answered most of my questions, but would not answer that particular question and directed me to speak with McGlew. I told him I got an answer from McGlew, and he said they gave over their annual 9K dollar SHIP grant monies: These are monies that go to the hospital, not to firms vying for a contract or job.
At the July 2011 meeting, only a few weeks ago, we heard that finally, there will be a presentation with the data gathered by Philps. But last year we were told we would be seeing the HFS report too, and that never happened.
Will KVHD have to fill in the "holes" in the strategic planning report too? What if the report is not what they want us to hear, can we get our money back such as with HFS?
Steve Russo of HFS was asked about the problems with the KVHD report, but offered no explanation.
But then nobody could offer a lucid explanation as to why HFS was not fired and another company brought in to finish this operations analysis. I don't understand why KVHD was fixing the report for another company, especially when they were in default caused by their own mistakes, as the company was to provide an objective analysis.
Mind boggling isn't it?
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Dr. Kent Skoegerson or Betagroup liability: a clarification
My real question is the Kern Valley Healthcare District "Human Escort them out" Department
Someone asked me about Kern Valley Healthcare District Surgeon, Dr. Kent Skoegerson; I was asked for details as to what a Google search unearthed recently.
First, in cases where doctors or healthcare personnel lose their licenses, there are rarely details to share for those of us surfing the government sites.
But, I clarified to this person that Dr. Skoegerson has nothing to do with the point of my post. So, I obviously didn't clear the message.
I have seen, and many of these documents are posted on this blog, resumes and credentials that don't add up to either reality, or there are even truly misleading and in one certain case completely obvious, that these people are not what their handy stories actually say.
Why have so many slipped through the cracks in HR, or Human Remorse Department?
The process of hiring is different depending on the level of the position you are fishing for. How could a CEO come in with a diploma mill resume? How can a CFO say he has the experience in certain areas and then never complete them? Are all the positions filled with a cursory look?
Then you have the board of directors selecting the administration which would qualify as either another set of eyes or possibly total reliance on the HR department. And even possibly collusion as the employment ends with a vote.
Regarding Dr. Kent Skoegerson
Dr. Skoegerson obviously had something go wrong, seriously so. But none of us, including me, were there or know what happened.
What we do know is that KVHD was desperate for a surgeon as they needed one to qualify as a full fledged hospital.
We also know that they were choosing from doctors who had liability problems. The hospital keeps liability insurance through Betagroup and this outfit decides whether a person in such an important position, (they are all important positions as healthcare requires a team effort, including the patients...for later) can be covered properly by their insurance.
A surgeon was turned away because of "liability" issues prior to the arrival of Dr. Skoegerson.
The question for Betagroup is what was so different in the two cases of the surgeons of the KRV? What sort of research is done, and do they automatically avoid errors say that happened in other states?
Who and what is the problem?
Dr. Skoegerson has done a small number of surgeries compared to other hospitals, but he has done this for almost six years.
Why now does the KVHD board believe he should be terminated from his contract?
Doctors are hard to find, so take any you can get past Betagroup's obviously stringent standards?
Again, the area I'm interested in is the hiring practices of the KVHD administration and board, their HR managers, and their insurance company.
I personally saw Dr. Skoegerson for a surgery and some tests, and never had a problem. My experience with him was favorable.
However, I didn't think to research his background prior to our surgery, and the government allows only so much information to be included, that I would not be able to decide without more information.
If you had the choice between a doctor with a spotless record, which I believes still means nothing as you don't know why it's spotless, they could have used Windex, or a doctor with a background which offers a negative showing, you would likely believe in the doctor without a blemish.
You deserve the choice, but here's the problem with that: I frankly don't know if doctor do nothing wrong's time will shortly come and it will be me. And government websites are as dangerous a place to judge as they offer only what scant information is possible.
I don't trust these government agencies or websites and know nothing more of Dr. Skoegerson than my personal, short term, experience which went well. That's not up on the government site...why not? That's a question for these oversight agencies to answer: why aren't patients part of the the "healthcare democracy?"
Why don't we write records of our visits? Or are even required to do so? Well, the American Medical Association protects its doctors and they don't even like the current government program where certain "spies" call primary care offices to find out if they are offering enough care to the community, along with issues about sliding scale and insurance. Oh my, terrible stuff protecting the patients too...
Expand patients rights and conquer the problem.
The question remains why Betagroup has allowed positions to be filled by uncertain professionals, and we are only finding out about it now after years of employment.
How we obtain our care should be done with care, and we should be allowed to know, but know more, so we can make a decision as denying patients this information is borderline criminal.
Would I have had Dr. Skoegerson do my surgery again knowing what I know now? Very possibly as I don't trust how the government is protecting us with scant information, when Dr. Skoegerson should be able to at least respond publicly to his records.
Why have more liability KVHD?
This kind of logic defies sense, considering the long list of cases hanging over the healthcare district, which may include paying off Dr. Skoegerson. Many can be seen on the Kern County Superior court site. Simply click on civil or criminal, and put in Kern Valley Healthcare District, and see what you find.
How can they afford this?
Someone asked me about Kern Valley Healthcare District Surgeon, Dr. Kent Skoegerson; I was asked for details as to what a Google search unearthed recently.
First, in cases where doctors or healthcare personnel lose their licenses, there are rarely details to share for those of us surfing the government sites.
But, I clarified to this person that Dr. Skoegerson has nothing to do with the point of my post. So, I obviously didn't clear the message.
I have seen, and many of these documents are posted on this blog, resumes and credentials that don't add up to either reality, or there are even truly misleading and in one certain case completely obvious, that these people are not what their handy stories actually say.
Why have so many slipped through the cracks in HR, or Human Remorse Department?
The process of hiring is different depending on the level of the position you are fishing for. How could a CEO come in with a diploma mill resume? How can a CFO say he has the experience in certain areas and then never complete them? Are all the positions filled with a cursory look?
Then you have the board of directors selecting the administration which would qualify as either another set of eyes or possibly total reliance on the HR department. And even possibly collusion as the employment ends with a vote.
Regarding Dr. Kent Skoegerson
Dr. Skoegerson obviously had something go wrong, seriously so. But none of us, including me, were there or know what happened.
What we do know is that KVHD was desperate for a surgeon as they needed one to qualify as a full fledged hospital.
We also know that they were choosing from doctors who had liability problems. The hospital keeps liability insurance through Betagroup and this outfit decides whether a person in such an important position, (they are all important positions as healthcare requires a team effort, including the patients...for later) can be covered properly by their insurance.
A surgeon was turned away because of "liability" issues prior to the arrival of Dr. Skoegerson.
The question for Betagroup is what was so different in the two cases of the surgeons of the KRV? What sort of research is done, and do they automatically avoid errors say that happened in other states?
Who and what is the problem?
Dr. Skoegerson has done a small number of surgeries compared to other hospitals, but he has done this for almost six years.
Why now does the KVHD board believe he should be terminated from his contract?
Doctors are hard to find, so take any you can get past Betagroup's obviously stringent standards?
Again, the area I'm interested in is the hiring practices of the KVHD administration and board, their HR managers, and their insurance company.
I personally saw Dr. Skoegerson for a surgery and some tests, and never had a problem. My experience with him was favorable.
However, I didn't think to research his background prior to our surgery, and the government allows only so much information to be included, that I would not be able to decide without more information.
If you had the choice between a doctor with a spotless record, which I believes still means nothing as you don't know why it's spotless, they could have used Windex, or a doctor with a background which offers a negative showing, you would likely believe in the doctor without a blemish.
You deserve the choice, but here's the problem with that: I frankly don't know if doctor do nothing wrong's time will shortly come and it will be me. And government websites are as dangerous a place to judge as they offer only what scant information is possible.
I don't trust these government agencies or websites and know nothing more of Dr. Skoegerson than my personal, short term, experience which went well. That's not up on the government site...why not? That's a question for these oversight agencies to answer: why aren't patients part of the the "healthcare democracy?"
Why don't we write records of our visits? Or are even required to do so? Well, the American Medical Association protects its doctors and they don't even like the current government program where certain "spies" call primary care offices to find out if they are offering enough care to the community, along with issues about sliding scale and insurance. Oh my, terrible stuff protecting the patients too...
Expand patients rights and conquer the problem.
The question remains why Betagroup has allowed positions to be filled by uncertain professionals, and we are only finding out about it now after years of employment.
How we obtain our care should be done with care, and we should be allowed to know, but know more, so we can make a decision as denying patients this information is borderline criminal.
Would I have had Dr. Skoegerson do my surgery again knowing what I know now? Very possibly as I don't trust how the government is protecting us with scant information, when Dr. Skoegerson should be able to at least respond publicly to his records.
Why have more liability KVHD?
This kind of logic defies sense, considering the long list of cases hanging over the healthcare district, which may include paying off Dr. Skoegerson. Many can be seen on the Kern County Superior court site. Simply click on civil or criminal, and put in Kern Valley Healthcare District, and see what you find.
How can they afford this?
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Dr. Jack Nadler leaving Kern Valley Healthcare District?
Goodbye to Dr. Jack Nadler
The Rural health clinic maybe losing long time doctor, Jack Nadler, as word around the hospital is the busy employee of the Kern Valley Healthcare District maybe moving out of the valley and onto new challenges.
Nadler, MD., has been the mainstay of the clinic, but recently patients have complained of long waits to get appointments with the doctor, and difficulty refilling prescriptions in a timely manner, as well as the attention needed for the more complicated patients.
Cuts to staff, and the loss of Stacey Bohn, Nurse Practitioner, last month, leaves the clinic short handed and with a long list of patients to care for, the transition may not be smooth for the district or their customers, or actually I should say just more rugged than usual.
Rumors flew as Bohn left suddenly, and the talk was she was unhappy with her pay and schedule, but recently it was noted by someone on the inside that she may have been in disagreement with the recent vote to remove KVHD surgeon, Dr. Kent Skoegerson.
Where did Skoegerson come from?
Skoegerson, who was a specialist in bariatric weight loss surgery, and may have done at least four lap band procedures at the Kern Valley hospital late last year, according to the administration, research shows the surgeon was involved in a serious lawsuit due to the death of a patient in Nevada.
Records from Nevada show the surgeon had lost his license in the state prior to his arrival at the Kern Valley Hospital.
Skoegerson was second choice due to liability problems
Former CEO, Pamela Ott, and CFO, Chet Beedle, were searching desperately for a surgeon in 2005, and prior to Skoegerson, brought in another surgeon who had a background that prevented him from working at the hospital as the liability would have been too great.
Somehow Skoegerson, who according to state records easily brought up in a google search, had some serious licensing issues, but he got by the liability company used by KHVD, called Beta group, and was hired on.
With these new revelations as to the past of Dr. Skoegerson, it certainly warrants an investigation and a phone call to Beta group as to their standards, and Dr. Skoegerson should be allowed to comment if he so desires. The offer is open here.
We have seen the resumes from some of the past employees, but also current in some cases as the Human resources department, the administration and the board let all of these things slip and the only excuse is denial.
There have been diploma mill education, claims to have expertise in areas that are being contracted out like strategic planning, a new program which has allowed them to school a person who needs credentials to properly hold an important administrative position, so it's no surprise that more digging is necessary.
Dr. Skoegerson and Dr. Gross
Currently, there has been word there is a potential for a lawsuit, as Dr. Skoegerson was voted out in a 3 to 2 vote.
One of those votes was cast by Dr. Robert Gross DO, who is a board member, hospitalist, and owner/operator of the Sienna Wellness Institute.
Gross, who at one time was hiring his own attorney to fight KVHD over their "handshake" agreement that the district would utilize his new business, Sienna Wellness, for specialists, and even an urgent care.
As is common with KVHD none of that happened. Dr. Gross did get his clinic, and won a board seat which was recently contended, as certain community members contacted the elections office to begin a "recall" election against the ambitious DO.
Positive report from CFO on Rural clinic
With so many numbers being crunched as the economy crumbles on top of the hospital which spent the last five years giving raises to the upper crust and paying millions as if they have it and more on registry employees, who by the way, leave, start their own business and come back, contract, such was the case with the pharmacy and it's "Gray Matter" which will soon be addressed.
This has been standard practice at KVHD, as money was spent with no concern as valley homeowners are the ones who will pay with property taxes if the hospital cannot pay off their out of control deficit. In fact, they were ready to take your money last year on Measure G rather than do the jobs they are paid more than adequately for.
How the rural health clinic somehow is making money according to CFO Chet Beedle, as the volume was down, but somehow Beedle reported they made money. He just didn't elaborate on how that happened, in fact, Beedle looked at the audience at the last meeting on July 6, 2011, showing surprise as to the amazing feat that happened.
So, with no surgeon and only a potential lawsuit, the rural health clinic sliding behind the scale as Nadler makes his departure, major changes should be expected...
The Rural health clinic maybe losing long time doctor, Jack Nadler, as word around the hospital is the busy employee of the Kern Valley Healthcare District maybe moving out of the valley and onto new challenges.
Nadler, MD., has been the mainstay of the clinic, but recently patients have complained of long waits to get appointments with the doctor, and difficulty refilling prescriptions in a timely manner, as well as the attention needed for the more complicated patients.
(According to the Federal Government, anyone on Medicare or Medi-cal is due health care equal to those on private insurance. Can a short staffed office really take proper care of the patient?)
Cuts to staff, and the loss of Stacey Bohn, Nurse Practitioner, last month, leaves the clinic short handed and with a long list of patients to care for, the transition may not be smooth for the district or their customers, or actually I should say just more rugged than usual.
Rumors flew as Bohn left suddenly, and the talk was she was unhappy with her pay and schedule, but recently it was noted by someone on the inside that she may have been in disagreement with the recent vote to remove KVHD surgeon, Dr. Kent Skoegerson.
Where did Skoegerson come from?
Skoegerson, who was a specialist in bariatric weight loss surgery, and may have done at least four lap band procedures at the Kern Valley hospital late last year, according to the administration, research shows the surgeon was involved in a serious lawsuit due to the death of a patient in Nevada.
Records from Nevada show the surgeon had lost his license in the state prior to his arrival at the Kern Valley Hospital.
Skoegerson was second choice due to liability problems
Former CEO, Pamela Ott, and CFO, Chet Beedle, were searching desperately for a surgeon in 2005, and prior to Skoegerson, brought in another surgeon who had a background that prevented him from working at the hospital as the liability would have been too great.
Somehow Skoegerson, who according to state records easily brought up in a google search, had some serious licensing issues, but he got by the liability company used by KHVD, called Beta group, and was hired on.
With these new revelations as to the past of Dr. Skoegerson, it certainly warrants an investigation and a phone call to Beta group as to their standards, and Dr. Skoegerson should be allowed to comment if he so desires. The offer is open here.
We have seen the resumes from some of the past employees, but also current in some cases as the Human resources department, the administration and the board let all of these things slip and the only excuse is denial.
There have been diploma mill education, claims to have expertise in areas that are being contracted out like strategic planning, a new program which has allowed them to school a person who needs credentials to properly hold an important administrative position, so it's no surprise that more digging is necessary.
Dr. Skoegerson and Dr. Gross
Currently, there has been word there is a potential for a lawsuit, as Dr. Skoegerson was voted out in a 3 to 2 vote.
One of those votes was cast by Dr. Robert Gross DO, who is a board member, hospitalist, and owner/operator of the Sienna Wellness Institute.
Gross, who at one time was hiring his own attorney to fight KVHD over their "handshake" agreement that the district would utilize his new business, Sienna Wellness, for specialists, and even an urgent care.
As is common with KVHD none of that happened. Dr. Gross did get his clinic, and won a board seat which was recently contended, as certain community members contacted the elections office to begin a "recall" election against the ambitious DO.
Positive report from CFO on Rural clinic
With so many numbers being crunched as the economy crumbles on top of the hospital which spent the last five years giving raises to the upper crust and paying millions as if they have it and more on registry employees, who by the way, leave, start their own business and come back, contract, such was the case with the pharmacy and it's "Gray Matter" which will soon be addressed.
This has been standard practice at KVHD, as money was spent with no concern as valley homeowners are the ones who will pay with property taxes if the hospital cannot pay off their out of control deficit. In fact, they were ready to take your money last year on Measure G rather than do the jobs they are paid more than adequately for.
How the rural health clinic somehow is making money according to CFO Chet Beedle, as the volume was down, but somehow Beedle reported they made money. He just didn't elaborate on how that happened, in fact, Beedle looked at the audience at the last meeting on July 6, 2011, showing surprise as to the amazing feat that happened.
So, with no surgeon and only a potential lawsuit, the rural health clinic sliding behind the scale as Nadler makes his departure, major changes should be expected...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)