KVHD Under Fire!

KVHD board member, hospitalist, Dr. Gross now interim at Rural Health Clinic

2012-01-24T09:19:00.000-08:00

If you're a patient of the Rural Health Clinic in Mount Mesa, Ca, then you've been through a lot of changes in the last few months, as former clinic manager, Dr. Jack Nadler, headed out for new pastures leaving a big gap in local healthcare.

One patient seeing new RHC PA, Christine Black, looked at her prescription when she arrived home to find Kern Valley Healthcare District, board member, hospitalist, and owner of Sienna Wellness, Dr. Robert Gross' name on it.

Gross, who owns Sienna Wellness, just down the street from the Rurual Health Clinic, has been working all angles recently as he is reported by KVHD attorney, Scott Nave, to be the interim doctor for the beleaguered clinic.

You may not see him, he must be quite busy as he is watching the hospital, his own clinic and now rural health, but he's the man behind the medications for the PA who came on after the clinic lost Stacey Bohn PA and shortly after, Dr. Nadler.

What kind of conflict could this cause, other than patients wondering how Dr. Gross' name appeared on their medication when they not only didn't know he was practicing at the clinic, and also have never seen him as a patient?

I tend to wonder if Dr. Gross has not overstepped this time taking on the clinic along with all his other responsibilities. And to continue to be in a position such as board member would seem to put him in a constant state of conflict of interest as he would be expected to objectively vote on many things that would concern the hospital and clinic... not to mention his own compensation.

But I suspect the question would be better put to Dr. Gross himself who maybe running the "Gross Healthcare District" soon. What's next? Board member, David Derr, working in the kitchen for extra cash or Victoria Alwin taking a percentage of the district's next desperate attempt at taxing valley residents, Measure Duh?

I'll email him now and get the response to you as soon as possible. FYI, the question has been put to KVHD, CEO, Tim McGlew, and so far, there has been no response. (McGlew must still be in meetings...)

In my own defense!

2012-01-10T12:22:00.000-08:00

I've been honest with you readers about all that I've written on this blog. There are those who don't want to face the truth. These people work at KVHD and for the government.

I can't make them suddenly realize that they could have, should have, done many things that could make the future of the hospital more solid, more real. It's also not my job. I pointed it out, and they could NOT handle the truth.

However, there seems to be another rumor floating about since I have had some problems with the hospital personally.

First, let me say that what occurred between me and KVHD on November 9th of last year has been put in my "forgiven pile." What that means is that I can't do anything about it, therefore, I let it go.

There is one good thing, I can't seem to remember exactly what happened. I am starting to get snippets of the incidents, but as of yet, I still don't know. I remember a few things enough to make my hair stand up.

I don't know if I've told you but I decided to remove all "doctor dope" from my life and I did it in one day. What a day! I'm now clean of all those prescriptions, and as an added bonus, quit smoking cigarettes too. But what a way to do it...LOL

In one day I threw away all the pain killers, sleep aids, stomach meds, and cracked right after. There were incidents which lead to all the drama, some of them still inexplicable. I don't understand all that happened, but I'm happy to report I no longer have to play the pharmacy game.

In the course of this craziness which occurred because of my desire to get off the "doctor ride" I have been told that certain things happened. I don't know how true they are as I've asked to have these occurrences verified, and I also asked to apologize to anyone who was hurt, or just butt hurt.

However, I've not gotten a straight answer to any of this. Time will tell all secrets...

One thing, however, that has been taken to the gossip mills happens to be my visit to the skilled nursing facility about a month ago.

I walked in to the SNF and met a woman with a serious wound on her forehead. She was in a wheelchair and kept asking what had happened to her. This woman relayed to me that she has asked the staff repeatedly what happened and nobody seems to know.

I quickly told her, "me too!" I asked for answers about what had happened to me and got the run around too.

By the size of the wound on this woman's forehead, she must have taken a pretty serious fall. The wound itself was ugly and looked like it had bled a lot.

While walking through the SNF I also noted the list of "activities" for the residents. I asked why there was a "cooking class." A nurse told me that the residents like to cook. I wondered what they cook and in what kind of oven. I was told they "stir" batter. Okay?

Then I noticed "bowling" was also on the list of activities. Gee, how much bowling do people of that age, physical and mental health, do? Again, okay.

I noticed the time was 3 pm and the schedule of activities showed "word games." Why I just love word games so I went to the recreation area to find, Sarah, director of these games, writing on a white board. There were about 6 women sitting, watching her.

The writing on the board showed a word game I could not understand. It was strange, but then I never got the time to really understand, as CNO, Mark Gordon, came to remove me.

A couple of residents who still have the gift of speech introduced themselves, and the others stared off, as I sat down. Gordon called to me and tried to tell me I am NOT ALLOWED IN THE SNF.

He questioned why I was there.

Why not? If I were running this crack SNF that we pay CEO, Tim McGlew, big money to run along with the rest of the impressive hospital, then I would want my biggest critic to see it. I would want ME to be impressed.

I was not impressed. I was taken aback at their lack of truth. Gordon and DON, Edith Cecil, were both afraid to have me in there. Again, for what reason?

In our parting conversation Gordon asked again why I was there. He also had a resident calling for help, and the Maintenance man, yes the maintenance man, took care of her. When did maintenance begin to work in the SNF? Again, not impressed.

When I was young, I used to visit nursing homes with a church group, and then I started going by myself. I even wrote a short story called, "the convalescent Caper" as a result of one of these visits. It was always tough to go in and see people sometimes dumped off by their families, in a state of mind and health that will only lead to the end. I enjoyed helping these people, and that is probably why I took the "murders" in our SNF so seriously.

Gordon ushered me to the CEO office and out popped, Secretary and keeper of the big lies, Heidi Sage.

Sage, who has more daring than Gordon, argued with me that I COULD NOT BE IN THE SNF as I would not like it if my father were there having his privacy breached.

Umm, most of the people are past privacy breaches, but on the other hand, I would prefer that outsiders who CARE, are allowed to be in with my father. Sorry, but I would not want only reports from those who are employed or have a vested interest. I would and do recommend private people come and look in on our residents at the SNF.

Now, Sage told me if I know someone in the SNF then I can come back...Hmm, let's see about that.

In defense of me, the stories that go around have made me out to have caused a disturbance.

I did not.

In fact, I quietly came in and looked at the staffing, one RN to six CNA's, and did NOT enter anyone's room. I was in the hall.

Much like in 2006, when this SNF had people locked down in physical restraints, prior to the chemical restraints for which they are in trouble, I was not received well even though I was a friend of that dysfunctional administrative family at the time.

Again, KVHD what are you hiding? It's not me, then it must be you...

what a strange trip it's been...and still is!

2012-01-03T14:37:00.000-08:00

Some things are ridiculous...

Since the 2006/2007 KVHD elder abuse case flopped on it's face last year we now get to see such players as Pam Ott gassing up her diesel truck at Costco. Perhaps on her way to work. Where does one who is charged with eight counts of criminal elder abuse happen to be employed?

The California Department of Justice initially overlooked Ott as a defendant in their case in 2009. The DOJ hauled in three other defendants in February of that year, but Ott get caught at the helm of a sinking ship at Sierra Kings District Hospital in Reedley.

As I've stated repeatedly, Ott as CEO, left Sierra Kings at the edge of bankruptcy, and others allege she took money from that hospital's General Obligation Bond money along with employee pensions! That's big time crime from a small town criminal. I would have hoped the Fresno DA would have been more open to getting a case together. Ott slipped out of that noose too!

More tales of the bizarre that the three elder abuse defendants, a doctor, a nurse, and a CEO, all seem to have been able to gain employment back into the business they failed: healthcare.

Others who were scapegoats or simply run under the KVHD bus, have not fared as well as their former employers.

What we have here is a case of reverse justice. It's simple that the bad guys won the first rounds. We waged a righteous war (or I did), and somehow this ended up on it's head.

I've never seen so many cowards in my life!

The people who would not speak out or come forward, the one's hiding in the shadows preying on the tiny healthcare district, caused the problems getting true justice. I won't say their names, maybe just their credentials, CEO, CFO, CCO, CNO, board member, DA, Governor, Assemblywoman, Senator, etc...

Instead of helping the people effected such as the family of the people chemically restrained, these same cowards ignored these people. I took on the role to help families heal their pain. I made sure they were heard by someone, their pain understood and action taken.

Whatever the state and the attorneys who will profit from this fiasco think of their case it's not as real or thorough as what I put together. However, they do not want my case, they want their own cases. I'm afraid that's the lesson here, they have the cases they want to have. They will begin the spin! It's no longer about truth or justice.

So, what does an elder abused charged CEO do in her off time? Murder isn't murder anymore, we are half way to ending the lives of our family who can no longer fend for themselves. It's a true scenario to put these people "to sleep" "out of their misery." KVHD accomplished this task. And with the help of the CEO, who maybe working at a healthcare district or hospital near you!

Your hospital is likely closing...what will you do?

2011-12-11T08:33:00.000-08:00

Jerry Brown to cut Medi-Cal

I have been informed that as of Jan. 12, 2012, there will be significant cuts to the budget which will likely take down our "beloved" KVHD. Not that is was not on the brink due to overspending as I have repeatedly pointed out, but it is being held hostage.

You can free it and I will take my time to tell you how you will likely do this. Yes, I'm off the case and I'm sure the KV Sun will use this as their next headline if the facts are straight. They need to sell papers and they will fail to help if they don't do it. It's what is expected.

Can you live without a hospital?

That is your choice and I mean that as a community you now must decide what to do. This community has not shown in the past the ability to come together in a crisis, say the high school issue that we buried along with two children last year. Even the churches couldn't agree what to do.

This time you probably have two choices: protest like crazy and be heard in Sacramento, or make the hostage takers from Cal Mtg. let the hospital bankrupt itself. Or my suggestion is you do both.

Also, I would suggest you make the board step down and round up more caring, less lying, and diligent people to analyze what is best.

Hint: if they ask for big money, you probably don't want them.

Good luck KRV, this is your problem and I have to walk my wonderful, patient, and loyal dog, as he is more important to me right now.

Hope this helps. See you on the Bi-polar American...Laura Hart

KVHD, you've taken up enough of my time, now you're just a story

2011-12-10T07:36:00.000-08:00

It's been five years: Oh my, where has the time gone?

Well, it's been fun, and that must come to an end. Yes, we have great pictures and lot's of material for books and movies, but it's taken it's toll on me. I no longer want or need to deal with this situation.

In fact, I'm done.

There will be material on my personal site as I navigate through my new life, but this one is over. I plan on taking boxes, and I mean boxes of materials out to the trash and laugh while I dump them. It's been a real learning experience as I have tried to help, but found myself used, abused, and never really acknowledged by the people I attempted to help.

And I used anger which is not what I should have done. I'm sure there are those who think I'm righteous to have been against the lying, over spending, over charging, and the elder abuse, but I also got very mad. This did nothing for me except to ruin my reputation of being fair and impartial.

I'm sorry to those who may have had to see an email I sent out probably on November 11, 2011, but this was the result of years of not having people who do their jobs, or care to understand my position. I called for help and no help came. I had to wait out a horrible situation and now I'm done. Have fun.

My problems are mine to deal with, but this is now where it should be, with the community and the employees of KVHD. It's yours baby, do what you want. I have a new situation and plan on enjoying every moment of it without regret. I do not regret what I did here.

Sounds strange, but I don't regret a learning experience such as what this was and is. I'll make lemonade out of it as I have tons of material to write fiction with. Hey, life is much stranger than fiction.

Thank you for teaching me and now I've learned. I will take this experience and really run with it as I enjoy this sort of thing, telling the stories of my life. If there are people out there with any sort of confidence in me then I'll go forth and laugh at my life lesson while we make a new game of it. The old game was that they were smarter and faster than I was, and I in turn, gave them the power over me.

No more of that. I'm going to be dragging boxes of KVHD out of here and then I'm going to shut my door and cry for a while before I laugh my ass off. It's funny how I have been caught in this only it is that I caught myself. This means I can stop and move on. Bye.

To those who care about the hospital, go for it and help them out, they need it. But I simply don't. I have only one day to live and I plan on living it.

Take care and I apologize to those I have hurt, including myself, and I say to those who have lied and deceived others in the course of this fiasco: you only have yourself and God to deal with. Good luck.

This is at an end. But I am not.

The bi-polar American: My personal story

2011-12-09T15:58:00.000-08:00

Not like I let you in...

I just returned home after one of the most stressful mornings of my new sobriety which constitutes about everything: I'm squeaky clean these days. No cigarettes, no prescription pain killers, no heroin, or even medical marijuana, I'm a poster child for reform right now.

Yes, I feel really honest and want to share certain things which may help you understand a little more about me and my blogs.

You're not, no way...

Yes, I'm a bi-polar and one that has rage issues to boot. Gosh, I'm sure you got the part about the anger, but I bet you didn't know much more than that.

I'm an addict who has been using drugs, sex, and food for my whole life to stop the pain. But I no longer want to stop the pain, I want to live through it, and make up for lost time. I'm interested as you all know in the truth, so I may as well introduce you to my personal blog: The bi-polar American.

Unlike this blog, it is about me and my disorder. But it is also a road map for other bi-polars who may have lost their way such as how I did in a serious suicide attempt a month ago. I make fun of Charlie Sheen just before I crash and tear apart the KVHD ER last November 11th. It is ironic, but true, the stuff I have to deal with.

I left the drugs behind...dramatically

I could no longer take the drugs and avoid the truth. I stopped short of killing myself, but I caused a circus at the ER for which I am embarrassed and apologetic. I'm being humbled to a degree and now I'm dealing with my anger.

It did not occur to me that when I realized that I used my precious medical marijuana, I was also stopping my anger. Not a good idea as these kind of things tend to get backed up and then there is no way to stop it when it pours out.

Hence, my crazy morning. I could not for the life of me get it together as I have not slept in a week. I stopped the "pot" and sleep did not come again last night, so I have been falling apart. But I also have been coming together, as suddenly I had to deal with my anger. I thought it would take a few days, but no...It hit me so hard that I was shocked myself.

Now, I'll stop with the information and just give you my address and hope (cringing) that it's not too much to learn this about the author of this blog. Likely, most of you will not even be surprised and have thought I have other disorders too.

We are all flawed and I'm no exception...quite possibly the rule

I'm not going to tell you this is easy or the correct method, but I only offer that I'm human and sometimes even fragile. I'm startlingly underweight and in need of a constant food supply. I have a long haul ahead of me, but I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get better and move on with the program.

I'm a member of NA and AA and any other letters you add to this human condition. Please enjoy and even laugh at my own foibles as I really am just a bi-polar American....

Watch out for "language" as I have been a good girl on this blog, but not so on the other. There is a warning at the top for those of you resistant to the fact that people cuss and need to sometimes. Don't go there with a closed mind as you will find what you want, but go there with an open mind that bi-polar is not a death sentence but a life long challenge. Maybe you are bi-polar and don't even know it.

Take care and good luck as you journey into my mind:

http://thebipolaramerican.blogspot.com/

Phone post

2011-12-07T08:08:00.000-08:00

Hello and good morning

This is my first and likely only post from my cell phone which requires texting.

But, since clean and sober, we will begin a new day.

Feels good to be alive and, trust me, I am still kicking.

This is short as I am just trying this out and I cannot get on my computer as I was gone a little too long...as you all figured.

Today is my new beginning...thanks for all the support...

hello, I"m back

2011-12-05T10:23:00.000-08:00

Hi There,

The bi-polar reporter, your favorite person to hate and love at the same time, is trying to get a job with local radio. Now we might remember on this blog, that Mr. Jamison, yes KVHD board member, tried to seduce me with his radio show.

Well, I am not going to say it was fair play and honesty, two things I find important day to day, but it's now tables turned "mister" and I will likely be heard in this valley soon.

Thank you so much, I do want to live

Second, thing, but really first thing, thank you to the paramedics and sheriff's who saved me from myself, the depressed and ready to give it up, bi-polar.

You guys are the reason I am here and I do NOT want you to forget it. It was these people who actually think I'm crazy who picked me up, and let me quit all my drugs, those funny pills, and those patches, they say are for pain management.

But we all know it's about getting HIGH.

I got high, and now, I'm getting real, so let's put our best foot forward, and only smoke marijuana, a substance known to be cool and okay, if taken in small quantities. Get your prescriptions and stay legal though.

ABC World News was not my mistake

Diane Sawyer you know what you need to do, put your ego aside and apologize to this town for the crappy story you did last year when Jerry Brown was running for Governor, and the CEO, Pamela Ott, was not even mentioned.

Do what is right and actually apologize. I put my whole life, reputation, and everything on the line, now let's see what you do. I'm bi-polar, I cuss, I get angry, and I love the TRUTH. How about more truth on your World News? Thanks ahead of time.

Hello Kern Valley Sun, Cathy "Imperfect" mangling editor

Hello, to my enemies this morning, they are the ones against truth and justice. They are likely the Kern Valley Sun, who was much a part of keeping this town from knowing the truth. That's why I started this website, because they could NOT handle the truth.

Let's see if there is new life in this old village. I've got to go clean up my own act right now, but I'll be back...always

Good morning KVHD: OH shit gotta go

2011-11-09T09:19:00.000-08:00

CFO, Beedle's budget and fudge it, The KVHD financial master of disaster
Look, Chet is about to make a paper airplane with the recent financials, which are worth nothing more than the current scam going on to bring down the hospital. Is Chet going to blame Bob Knight who faced another loss in the 1990's which Chet enjoys bringing up, or at least he did previous to his own demise.

Sorry that the government is doing this again, but do you remember the "balanced budget act?" anyone, someone? Well, this was what a certain defamed CEO, had to deal with, but the hospital did survive.

Why are they doing this, it's not fair play, it's not even really their problem as the CFO, Chet Beedle and CEO, Tim McGlew, both have "faired well" as we tossed our property taxes at them. Beedle has a pension and McGlew has a raise for his work well done, confusing and pilfering our community.

We can thank the board members...again, for hiring people who would act as if these government issues were a "surprise party" and the sole cause of their problems. NOT.

Fantasy KVHD

I had a dream team, much as in football, for this administration and board. I know mine would win as we would have done our homework back in 2009 and actually provided leadership to this district, one that would not be in the books over at Cal Mtg.

My team would have grabbed up Obama's money and taken it home to our KRV family so we could have a safe and compassionate healthcare district. ARRA funds they were called, and according to the CFO, I would NOT have been allowed by Cal Mtg. (Shall I name them again, or not: okay, the cads from the state who helped, colluded and will be retiring shortly to Texas, where all the Californians are heading, uh, Governor Brown.

The quarterback would have been an open and honest administrator who would have stayed the night in "her" office, watching closely, as the fire burned last year, the Bull fire, remember? Well, I went to the hospital, and nobody even knew about it as it had been spreading like wild in the Kernville region often mistaken for another "Camelot" all day long.

Then my CFO, would be able to help us understand, the records, receipts, and he would NOT, I repeat, NOT, need housing and a big screen TV. He would though, need a sharp pencil but with a heart behind it. (Another reference to you Jerry Brown. I'm about to prove we do NEED more MENTAL HEALTH CARE...in the mansion.

They Want OUT! And so do I, but it looks like rain outside my house this morning, so I think I'll just stay in and watch the action from my shaking, aching eyes.

You were duped and are again KRV

But again, we cannot blame only the hospital, we must face our own deficiencies, such as these two administrators...
Dr. Robert Gross, DA, is the remaining member of the board still "stuck on Skoegerson." Gross was not allowed to be paid and be part of the hospital when Skoegerson came on. Gross was eliminated from the race, actually his wife, Holly Spohn, a Podiatrist, and well known humanitarian, was not able to do surgery that could have wound up paying for part of the losses it incurred.

Spohn, could have done her surgeries on nursing home residents, clients, customers, but apparently the CFO, did not think that wise and that did not happen, until Gross himself took over the hospital, I mean, he took over the job as hospitalist.

Now facing off with his former nemesis, Skoegerson, who has more license problems, than a KVHD CNA, Gross has said this was "nothing personal" and that he just voted to remove the long time surgeon due to savings of 178K, I believe Kern Valley Sun reporter, George Stahl, who is doing a fine job covering the district or former district, the part he hasn't covered.
McGlew came on like gang busters at the November meeting where he attempted to look surprised by the issues such as the CMS disaster of losing 10% of the SNF monies from 2008/2009.

Let me quantify that for you, as McGlew was too emotional and "surprised" by the events, that I have put a jar for him at all convenience store centers in the area, where a picture of him with his Jaguar, will be available for all to donate to his sad cause: himself.

Nobody has done this to KVHD so if you believe that then you're obviously being paid by Dr. Gross, just kidding, good doctor. Actually he sends his pal, Gutzman, out to do his dirty work, from Sienna and beyond...Sorry, I'm slightly happy today, as I like to call it.

(Victoria Alwin, Chairwoman of the board, who added an excellent element to the board, with her new gavel and timer where I picture her in her home a month from now banging on her kitchen table yelling at cats. Alwin shown here, practicing for her sex change operation, a mustache would be appropriate, I like it)
(Dr. Grossly overrated, shown above at the last and final meeting, as his story of Kent Skoegerson and his credentials, and his contract savings is a mere jealous attempt to bring in money for his patient-less clinic, Sienna Wellness.)

Lawsuits, lawsuits, and more lawsuits

I'm not one of the lawsuits, even though the former district or is it former board counsel, whatever the case, Scott Nave has given you misinformation.

I have NEVER attempted to sue the hospital. Oh, I crowed about it and always, as with me the emails, I always told Mr. Nave of "Lemon and Aheel" associates (sorry about the spelling problems, darn spell check) that I would NOT sue unless everyone else in this valley can do it too.

So, when he went on about how many times I have supposedly tried to sue the hospital, it made me slightly irritated. (Question, would it be okay to sue the lawyer for slandering me? Everyone okay with that, or would you like the full monty and take out all the crack pots? Let me know.)

It's more fun in groups and the lawyers get the big bucks with those class action BS suits such as was recently brought about by the California Hospital Association. They are about to line the pockets of many lawyers with this suit, but then there are a lot of suits, including, the one with our insolent former surgeon and the arrogant former board member, Dr. Skoegerson and Dr. Gross.

It's exciting, I wonder who will win.

NO, We don't have a problem in the valley, we have a problem in this whole country!

"Johnny get your gun, get your gun, take it on the run, on the run, hear them calling you and me, every son of liberty...hurry right away no delay, not today, make your Daddy glad to have had such a lad..."

Where are the rumors that the hospital is closing coming from: Tim McGlew maybe...

2011-11-07T19:58:00.000-08:00

The rumor mill has found the source: KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew

As people of the Kern River Valley are wondering what is happening with their public hospital and clinics, nothing has popped up in the local news, as this is serious, says Kern Valley Healthcare District CEO, Tim McGlew.

With two reporters on hand for last week's KVHD general board meeting, the KV Sun website is devoid of news and the administrators at the hospital are now denying the hospital has less time than a microwave dinner...

For those who like the news dry and arid, read the CEO's comments during the November 2, 2011 general meeting, unedited except for the uhs and umms:

"With the approval of the state budget this last year, Governor Brown included significant cost reductions for distinct part skilled nursing facilities and sub-acute units.

Those cuts were to be 10% off our rates that were in effect as of our 2008/2009 year.

They made an application to CMS, the federal agency that oversees Medicare and Medi-Cal, initially did not get a response from CMS- CMS issued- during that point in time after they filed that application there was significant input from the hospital communities, from the hospital associations and other providers.

With regards to the impact of those cuts, we're gonna have on the hospital industry and the healthcare industry here in California- CMS issued the state a request for additional information which that state ultimately responded to. and I don't know the timing when they actually received that request versus when they finally made the decision, but- the state has basically approved the, the federal government has approved the state's actions for those rate cuts- to put these into perspective is that in how that impacts the us, we are looking in terms of 1.8 million dollar reduction to our reimbursement-1.8 million dollar reduction.

Obviously, you look at our financial statements you see that those cuts would be drastic.-I don't think-know, for the most part they are unsustainable- there's no way you are going to cut your way to break even or profit with that kind of cut." END

Okay, am I the only one who smells a rat here? If you transcribe Tim McGlew it is easier to see the BS in the PR from the CEO of the SNF and ER. But the video of the last meeting is a must. I must get that uploaded and soon. Remind me.

What is required as urgent to get a story covered by the locals?

This story was not urgent enough for some immediate coverage? The closure of the hospital which suddenly came upon them only a week ago? What has to happen at KVHD to actually get coverage...would they have to win the lottery or they resuscitate Governor Brown at a rally and thereby win favor?

Let's watch as it is quite interesting the Kern Valley Sun delayed this information or our "critical access" to the story and details about the current problems that may effect many who are brave enough to still be customers of the district.

McGlew promised to be writing a full report for the KV Sun this week, so I guess we need to wait and hear the newest and latest side of his own story of the hospital closure...???

What are the ramifications?

This is where we need leadership and quickly, but we don't have it. We want to think that there are no issues we can't handle if we work together, however, that's our problem in the KRV, we don't work together.

If this hospital is on a string, it has been for years, and now we have an excuse, the easiest one of them all: it was the government who did it.

This piece of dramatic public relations crapolla was given by Tim Mcglew with all the right sadness and inflection of deep grief peppered throughout his determined effort to convince us that they are the VICTIMS of reckless government, or ruthless profiteering or whatever they think of next.

They are simply looking in the mirror.

Let me explain something that is important to understand as this issue begins to settle into our busy minds: the people who gain from this are the people who have money and retirement and no lawsuits against them at KVHD.

Bankruptcy and negotiation options stolen from community

The options, ALL the options, were stolen last year by the CFO, Chester N. Beedle and CEO, Timothy McGlew, and probably a couple board members who met with Cal Mtg. our debt insurer, when we were NOT ALLOWED to hear about negotiation or bankruptcy before more ties that bind us to our latest debt: the 6.8 million dollar "January 2011, Beedle deal."

Though the board voted for this informational option, it obviously did it as a deflection as they apparently had no intention of following through. As I said, with revelations that would appear upon a full investigation, there could be charges or some potential justice, (which would make me faint immediately), but that is not a risk certain people wish to take.

We also never saw the operations report done as a result of the 2010, KVHD default with Cal Mtg., from HFS. We heard it had giant holes, but then most of what we hear from KVHD has giant holes. Nothing new.

Plan B, the strategic plan that was to be addressed at every meeting, the promises and the failure. We heard it all and never blinked. How do you guys do that, oh yes, we have to discuss the major impact of the potential loss of the district: no food for the sycophants.

They don't want the books opened up

Contracts are all over this town and the hospital has a grip that you would not believe, that is until I reveal all who could've, should've helped, but didn't because of those "think local" contracts.

They tried to scare the wits out of the community with the threat of bankruptcy unless we the people paid their debts off for them just last year.

Throwing good money after bad is the American way.

And they will tell us anything at this point that we still cannot go into a bankruptcy, yet it could have been successfully completed. Or we could have fought for ourselves, but instead we are too late for those non-tax payer, bail out, measures.

And we could be on our way back from negotiations tentatively planned early in 2009 if the attempt at a rational, non criminal action in terms of negotiating with Cal Mtg. the financial debt master of KVHD was not aborted by the administration ...but the records would come open for all to see and that threatens those with their hands in the cookie jar.

Instead of thinking of those who need a hospital and all who have believed in the humanity of our system, the administrators and board members have dashed all the trust and converted our good will into a farce, causing a chasm in the community.

But don't worry yourselves too much

I know the consensus is that the administration and board must go. That will be easier than you think when we get to that point. You do have that control, we are not victims, but we sure are acting like it.

If you have only gotten your information via the KV Sun newspaper or other local advertising papers, and the sound coming from channel 104.5 on your radio, then you likely don't know much about what has happened here at KVHD in the last few years. (white collar crime or in this valley "the whole ring around the white collar crime.")

Where are the news hounds?

How much longer will there be an ER, that is called news. It would also be called urgent news in circles where a newspaper is used for the community rather than the other way around.

Last month the information came out in the middle of the KV sun general meeting article, just a sentence, that the ER group headed by Dr. Sacapano is on their way out of KVHD, yet there was no follow up as to the excellent journalism 101 questions: why, when, where and how.

If this is the case, then there must be some interest such as maybe losing their CAH status? Or are they are planning on bringing in a temporary company to cover but at what cost? Or...

Apparently, we are not allowed to hear the truth. I've been stonewalled by Mr. McGlew of late, he said he doesn't read my blog...really. From what I've heard he has made it the topic of discussion along with trying several tactics to keep me and my cameras from the meetings since his arrival in July of 2009.

Randy Peale maybe able to answer to some of my contention, that if there is nothing to hide, why are you hiding? And why did they try to keep me from criticizing them or trying to set me up in various ways? Defame me to such an extent I cannot receive any healthcare in the area that I live in that doesn't include the KVHD X-files (again our medical records) Are they so weak at this point that an injured, caustic reporter would push them to do things such as breaking into my records? Threatening people on my medical contact list? Trying to get me thrown out of the meetings? Purposely mistreating me in the ER by mixing politics and medicine? (See post title: "complaints to the cook can be hazardous to your health")

PATHETIC! Kern County allowed a high school board member a swat at someone who disagreed. This is not what we call good examples of judgment, just like KVHD, as there is no rule against criticism, but there are rules against trying to quash criticism to obstruct, say an investigation or colluding with others for personal gain, keeping the tax payers out of the loop or ignoring PRA requests. (A summary list, it goes on and on and on)

Okay, settle down, you will know much more soon, just keep reading. I do answer all queries and I read your stories. I'm slow to respond, but I do care. Allow me some time and I will personally get back with you on any issue KVHD.

There are interim measures such as leasing or bringing on temporary managers, (how about Sandy Haskins of HFS who successfully lead Sierra Kings District Hospital through a bankruptcy after former KVHD and Sierra Kings, CEO, Pamela Ott was arrested) and next year is an election year where the public can speak out, anonymously, safely, behind the curtain, with a vote.

I'm not for cutting the pay of doctors, nurses, all staff, including those who cook, make beds, clean, fill out forms, triage patients (your money up front please), are important elements to a good system. What we have is chaos in this country and it will get worse not better until we wake up to the fact that we lost control of our own local healthcare and we now are running out of time nationally.

First let us hear from KVHD, and the "Wiki leaks" CEO, as that is what they keep promising. And I'll bet the KV Sun has been busy whipping up the cream for their pity party...

Kern River Valley in confusion, panic over rumors of hospital closure

2011-11-07T15:19:00.000-08:00

Kern Valley Healthcare District: community needs explanation, HELLO

KVHD, CEO, Tim McGlew, shown above during the November general board meeting, as he tries to explain to the community, that the state of California, and Jerry Brown, as well as the faulty Medicare program, will be the downfall of the district.

Looking emotional, McGlew, who has been CEO for two years, being paid a salary not seen in rural healthcare, almost 230K annually, gave a speech about how the Critical Access Hospital program maybe eliminated along with statewide cuts to reimbursement in the much maligned skilled nursing facility, which, he said would leave the district without the extra funds it would need to survive the current economic climate.

However, the demon for the night was Jerry Brown's budget cuts as this is the KVHD way of communication: blame.

The Critical Access Hospital program was marred in a study done regarding quality issues associated with these rural hospitals and the big issue became a potential change in the way the hospitals MAY SOMEDAY receive their reimbursement: patient quality.

Having a huge debt, and a CEO, who said cutting his huge salary or that of the other administrators, would not help the hospital, leads the community to wonder, and then call me to ask, "what is going on?"

Back at you

Those who have ignored the issues that have been plaguing the hospital for almost 25 years, will now have to wait and perhaps trust, that something good this way will come. And it will take the whole community to do it when it comes time.

It is not the CAH program, nor the Medicare issue, as McGlew even admits in his speech which is on video. (But it's definitely Jerry Brown taking the swipes. I must say Brown is not known for his Jaguars, Mr. McGlew...)

There have been no bills passed, or vetoed, and the lawsuits against the state and various programs, are the bread and butter for the lawyers, it has nothing to do with the district per say.

McGlew told a confused audience last Wednesday night that KVHD joined with California Hospital Association for the lawsuits which are meant to protect the rural health community from these sharp cuts.

He said they could not see this coming and they are surprised. How could that be when nobody else was surprised by the ancient data? (there's more we will contend with later)

Who is the rural health community?

Because such programs as the CAH, and Medicare as well as state run, Medi-cal, have not instituted stringent policies to protect the tax payers monies which fund these hospitals, they are allowed to get away with charging for unnecessary or even negligent testing and treatments, many other types of cost reimbursements designed to increase costs right under the noses of the people writing the checks.

According to a Medicare representative hospitals are not liable for these sorts of mistakes or even intentional money making activities, like those acuity figures we all know nothing about...

Then there are those who hire onto hospitals that are in financial ruin and offer to fix them: for a price. The KRV has paid that price long enough now...

The Staph on staff

There are those in the healthcare business who don't seem to understand that when a hospital is in trouble the people they serve are also in trouble due to safety or billing concerns or even public facilities without basic needs bringing care down to a level that they can afford.

For instance, at one point, KVHD took down its hand cleansers in an effort to save money. I'm sure people have read about the spread of staph inside hospitals and clinics, as staff have come up positive in tests as carriers of the staph bacteria. That was not a good idea Mr. Beedle.

But with desperate times come desperate measures, and those who want to continue to profit are Tim McGlew and Chester Beedle.

The government has a good idea...no way!

But can we afford to hurt our community members? That is part of the main issue, and the government actually has come to our aid in that they are no longer interested in hearing about how bad the rural health system has become.

There is a possibility that at some point hospital's who do not fulfill the needs and become viral, or harmful to the people they are to serve, may not get reimbursed and should fall away as any other business unable to meet its customers needs. The second penalty would be they could lose their certification somehow.

Much like my contention that KVHD should not be giving raises for poor performance, the government has now caught onto that idea too.

CFO, Chester Beedle, continues to mislead the valley and KVHD board members regarding the truth in fact as to the longevity of the hospital. He has been hostile to any idea regarding addressing the old debt, and in his time at KVHD, has increased the debt substantially.

Board member, and radio jock, Bob Jamison, has not said much regarding the district's current financial circumstances, but was aboard the Measure G train last year, and had his own "construction committee" some years ago trying to break ground on this useless, GOB, they want to believe will help. (see Cal Mtg.)

Jamison was also a solid backer of the former administration lead by CEO, Pamela Ott, that tried to cut staff in 2oo5 and found themselves in a corner two years later as the hospital tried out chemical restraining in their skilled nursing facility, which lead to an elder abuse case, still not settled.

In 2007, Jamison, brought Ott to his radio post where he allowed her to talk about how there was NO elder abuse, and even families now potentially ready for civil cases, were callers, trying to get through the thick smoke screen lead by this board member.

The skilled nursing facility

While we watch the failure of government to downsize and include grass root style democracy in the new healthcare proposals from President Obama, there are reasons we are at this point.

(Hold on the phone's ringing)

I just spoke to someone who wants me to send $150 to President Obama and the Democrats and I had a two words for him: NO WAY!

When President Obama decided to change the healthcare system he made one mistake: he didn't allow us all to be a part of spending our own money on our own health. Why do we have to do it this way, it's starting to cause the crumbling of the states, and us little people who are ill and need help.

As far as tossing grenades at Jerry Brown he had little or no choice in the cuts aimed at the rather lucrative long term care industry which has seen its funds slipping away for years into the hands of types such as Sycamore management, who should have been wearing masks and holding pistols when they left with a bag full KRV coins. And there was Chet Beedle handing it out like candy on Halloween.

The CEO says the cuts suggested by Jerry Brown, of course, opposed by all who want more money, will not allow the hospital to continue functioning as they are losing 1.8 million.

And Tim McGlew should be angry, as if he leaves this valley he will not only never see a salary such as the good people of this community have provided him, he will also have the reputation of losing a hospital for his resume...

So, no, Democrats, you will not see a dime from me, but then Tim McGlew, who is grieving the loss of his skilled nursing monies, might send you something from his "super size me" annual salary.

The past comes back to bite you

Yes, the skilled nursing facility is not getting the funding it so desires, and is used to, and it could have been different as had there been some circumspection and not just cash collection in 1986, we would have 140 beds for elderly residents, and would likely survive this challenge. (well, with different administrators and educated, interested, less self-serving, board members)

Because they were so anxious to get the SNF monies during this era, that is when they decided to sell revenue bonds to build this extra portion onto our mini-hospital. There was money all these years, Medicare was trying to bolster long term care, so the issue was to climb aboard.

Then what is going on now?

Tim McGlew, I'm sure, spent his weekend writing something to help clarify all of his claims that the government is the main cause of their problems at KVHD. He will address it as if he is helping you understand, but what you need to understand is you will pick up the tab if they don't come through.

We have heard promise after promise, action is another story. Let's see what the hospital has to say about it's potential closure. I bet it's called measure something or another...

Employees, start sending out those resumes and protect yourself, as there is a serious problem and this hospital IS very likely to be unable to continue in operation.

Patients begin to look for new doctors as the Rural Health Clinic may not only be missing the popular but packing his bags early, Dr. Nadler, they maybe missing the whole clinic.

(Remember last year when the Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy lost money as the administration told us they were the anchor financially and must be closed? Well, they did lose money as they prematurely made this statement. Now, the CFO reported at this month's meeting the pharmacy is doing well, and has been for the last year and a half. ??? Can't wait for more information...Keep writing and talking Tim.)

KVHD board November board meeting: Are these the final hours for the hospital ?

2011-11-03T01:51:00.000-07:00

KVHD UNDER WATER?
Newest board member, David Derr, a former fireman may want to bring out his hoses, as the hospital board meeting revealed serious problems with their longevity.

Many people were surprised, but why should they have been? Possibly because they were unaware of the problems taking place due to the district's lack of honest communication with its community members.

There are many diehards, such as Reverend, Charles White, who sat with Pamela Ott going over plans for the 2006 GOB election. White has been allowed to go to meetings such as the strategic planning meeting in 2008, where board members, voted to give, before elder abuse charges were filed, 25K dollars only to Pamela Ott. Hmm...(White shown above, at the December 2, 2010, board meeting, when the board agreed to bring on attorney David Weinstein to offer financial options.)

I again brought this to the attention of Scott Nave of Lemieux and O'neill, the board attorney, why the public was not allowed to attend the strategic planning event, as Bob Jamison, then board chairman, said in the minutes from 2008, the meeting was closed to the public.

Then how did Chuck White and former board member, Chuck Wild, manage to make it to this meeting?

These are the people who have kept secrets, as they knew before I did, that in 2006, the GOB construction plans were not doable. Why didn't they tell us, me, the Attorney General? Charles White who works closely with KRVR, knew, but did not alert anyone.

(CEO, Tim McGlew, shown listening to audience questions and comments)

The community has a choice: the time is now. However, if the hospital happens to fail, we will have to pay the debt with our property taxes. I've never heard them tell us that. But there is much more to this: we need a hospital, only we need to work together to get it.

And we need administrators, board members, board counsel, that are new and not attached to each other like screaming kids in a haunted house.

New people, new day. And more oversight, meaning help from the county and state, to put this together and functional.

It is obvious this group has failed. The problem is that they didn't learn from their mistakes and have never really faced what they have done that brought us to this point. Did the CFO and his pharmacy buddy, Elmo, really need free rent? Or were they taking advantage?

We have all had the chance to help, but most people hid and ran off. Some got sick fighting to get their jobs back. Many moved away.

The CEO, simply took two raises, and now complains they didn't know it was coming.

They didn't know I was coming to the meeting last night either, but I came because of the news regarding the cuts to reimbursement, and a few other things. Though I wanted to stay home as I am quitting smoking and not in a great mood, I thought it best to go, as the hospital got quiet...as they say before the storm.

McGlew talked about a figure of 1.8 million they were facing to lose, and I thought I would remind them they survived 2.5 million they overpaid to Sycamore Management, the group brought aboard the SNF in 2007, according to the CFO, to "stave off Cal mtg," the insurer of the debt that never seems to show up on the profit and loss statements.

They have also paid millions over the years to get contractors to help put humpty dumpty back together again. That didn't work out, paying top dollar, while you are broke? But again, this is how this district has been operating for 22 plus years.

Now is the time to think about the ramifications of allowing others to run such an important component to the community without oversight.

Check their wallets and briefcases if they try to leave

KVHD has no one to blame but themselves. The one constant in the last eleven years has been the CFO, Chet Beedle, and with some logic we can assume that he probably should have been replaced for a variety of troubling reasons. But no action has been taken by anyone, including Cal Mtg. who has been lied to by the "expert in critical care access" accounting, as Mabel Chan, case manager for the hospital, referred to our CFO in an email.

(KVHD Chairwoman, Victoria Alwin, may have to find other people to try and control, as timing the public comments and banging her gavel, have not made her popular. But it may not be much longer that we have to listen to this judge-like chair, who has forgotten her "roots." Alwin, a former critic of the hospital prior to being elected, has been on the defensive of her own performance in the last two years...)

As I said, the Kern Valley Healthcare District board of Directors have no one to blame...however, they always find someone or something other than themselves. The CEO, started his usual round of excuses starting with California Governor Jerry Brown and moved up the line regarding the federal changes in Medicare reimbursement brought to you by President Obama.

The eleven years of financial leadership by CFO, Chet Beedle, shows the hospital administrators and certain board members, did not have the qualifications or tenacity to protect the district. But we never tried anything new in all those years here in the valley.

Oh, forgive me, they did try something new when Beedle cut staff in 2005, preparing for a campaign run for a GOB, they used chemical restraints and free labor from the hospital auxiliary volunteers to keep the nursing center open.

They have been asleep on the job.

Now we need a hospital, and most remarks from residents were conflicted. "I want a hospital, not this one."

I rephrased the question, would you like to keep this hospital if there were radical changes to the administration and board and medical providers? Then the answer became clear to everyone. YES!

Don't let them take the hospital away: it's the administrators, board, and their friends who need to go.

I explained that we can and will have a hospital. The problem which has been here for eons, is the valley's inability to understand what has happened. We were sold out in 1988, selling more revenue bonds to try and complete the hospital expansion that contracted in the course of the work.

They failed to complete the whole project, and therefore doomed this valley to forever have to deal with a debt that could remove healthcare forever unless we move quickly.

We need to start over, remove the high salaries, which the CEO, when asked if he would pitch in some of his salary, stated they are only "pennies?" He indicated taking money from his pocket and other administrators would do nothing in the face of his speech on our "serious issues."

How many pennies did his Jaguar cost?

McGlew who came aboard as the highest paid CEO in the history of KVHD, may not realize that his salary is NOT pennies to the residents who he is supposed to serve.

Who wants the CEO salary? It's 230K a year, plus all the benefits of not living in the area, or even using the facilities for he and his family's healthcare. Stop, I do know that Mr. McGlew has a disabled child who requires certain special care.

Has he EVER considered that he is not the only one that needs specialized care? We have developmentally disabled residents, ailing people, and services that KVHD cannot provide for the patients in the valley.

Did, CFO, Chester Beedle, not see this situation coming financially as there is a wonderful newsletter from "California Healthline" that keeps me, at least, up to date on the healthcare bills and news.

I offer up the idea to the California legislature: Before a public district can begin the process of gaining money via General Obligation Bonds, it must have a district preliminary vote. That will save the time and trouble of finding out that no one cares about a hospital that has put up murals and paint over their horrific mistakes.

Unfortunately, as you can see on the face of Dr. Gross DO, there is little time left to do the right things, they are far too late...And now we will likely pay for their decisions.

(Dr. Robert Gross DO, KVHD hospitalist, former adversary of the administration who had to hire an attorney regarding the KVHD/ Sienna Wellness clinic, asked that residents write their representatives. The board seems unaware that they are government, elected officials in a public district, with public monies, and they should be writing on our behalf. But they ignored this too long and now we have to decide for them as they had nothing but excuses, scapegoats, and long faces at last night's meeting)

Hello to all involved in the 2009 subverted attempt to save the hospital?

In 2009, I saw this coming...where was the board? They were trying to stop negotiations with Cal Mtg. and because of bullying it happened. We never made it past Chet Beedle, Brad Armstrong or former CEO, Rick Carter, who Victoria Alwin blamed for stopping the potential progress last August 2010.

How exactly did Rick Carter stop the negotiation on his own? He didn't, it was a group effort. This is why these people cannot blame anyone but themselves, as they have not shown any leadership or foresight.

They saw the day coming, or if they didn't, then they should just step down now and avoid certain repercussions.

We had support to deal with it. Why didn't this board override Mr. Carter, Alwin's villain, and do what we had needed to do for 20 years?

McGloom and McBeedle stop second attempt at negotiation

I have some ideas, and solutions, but the community now needs some back up, such as that attorney they ignored for one year, and when David Weinstein came around to shore up the information regarding our chances of negotiating with Cal Mtg. or even bankruptcy, but four board members and the administration held the meeting off while signing on to another Cal mtg. debt relief given the district so they would not burden the valley residents with a GOB. (this is according to Cal mtg. and some documents: the board asked for this email and unlike my PRA requests, I got them their information last night.)

Only last week, the CEO, began speaking about the new GOB. At this board meeting, however, he said there may well be no GOB. But we have heard so many stories, as Beedle told us Cal Mtg. was going to help last night too. I will ask for the documents that go along with Beedle's statement.

If McGlew who could have slimmed his salary, along with CFO, Beedle, and a few others, focused on the main issue, quality patient healthcare, reasonable salaries, services the community has been begging for, we may have been able to plan for the future.

Even with the debt, prudent spending could've perpetuated the district's lifespan. That was never the case. They were not saving for a rainy day, and look soaked now...by everyone.

Don't forget, as owners, and voters in this valley, you will need to decide which of the options the hospital has left that would potentially bring in new faces, ideas, and direction and allow us to have quality healthcare.

We need people who have the "time" and the intelligence, who don't change their personalities with a sip of power, who REALLY want to help, and not simply offer lip service.

Board attorney, Scott Nave, did not like my questions and instructed the board to do "whatever" they want to do, such as not answering (that's an old one Scott), or sending it to McGlew for an answer. I'm sorry, I have sent complaints from dozens of residents having problems, and the CEO, always promises, but somehow rarely follows through.

However, I would like to clarify that Mr. Nave broke loose about me, that I had tried to sue the hospital several times.

While the gal with the timer banged her gavel, I reminded Scott, that I repeatedly said if I were going to sue, I would want a class action suit where all people who were hurt, degraded, billed improperly, defamed, can be redeemed.

Are we a class action act? We need to move fast...if that is the will of the community.

So, to clarify, I was quite ill after my negligent treatment, or criminal, depends on the lawyers you speak with, on 1/20/11. This occurred after I complained repeatedly to the CEO, that I needed help, and the ER was calling people "junkies," ignoring the complaints of an elderly woman who said her daughter was abusing her, and on Christmas night the 72 year old woman was escorted outside the ER to the chairs where she was moaning in pain.
(It was a Merry Christmas)

Again, this is so irresponsible and cruel, that we cannot allow ourselves to be victimized by people who may just walk away with a pension, a tremendous salary, and move on while we the valley pay the debt they so lovingly will be leaving us.

But don't worry, I plan on following their careers...

Next year is another election

With another election year coming up, and a GOB on top of the list of strategic planning, we can jump aboard that election and help bring about change.

As our Governor, the one being blamed for the problems that may take down the hospital, said before he was elected, "we have to break down to break through," and here we are with the timing perfect for this community to take back our hospital from the parasitic spending practices and lack of transparency, which is what they hide behind.

Sierra Kings survived

We have spoken of elder abuse charged, Pamela Ott, the KVHD CEO, who was allowed to escape to another hospital in Reedley, California.

While KVHD was sleeping, Sierra Kings, another public healthcare district, has been through financial turmoil brought on by mismanagement, allegedly Pamela Ott, but they went into bankruptcy...the constant fear here in the valley.

The Valley of Fear

With fearful employees, and witnesses biting at the bit to tell their stories to someone who will listen, KVHD, went down another road, missing ARRA funds, running off volunteers who offered their skills to help upgrade services, took advantage of all those pennies, and now, we have a video of Tim McGlew giving us the bad news.

However, the good news is that Sierra Kings made it thru the bankruptcy, had community support to do it, and they are letting loose the HFS company who managed this whole "turn around" project as they are now back in operation with a happy community.(See Reedley Exponent for the full details)

(HFS, is the company who came to KVHD for an "operation's review" and was tagged with leaving "giant holes" in the report. But somehow they helped Sierra Kings...doesn't make sense, unless you are a KVHDer.)

It is possible to save the hospital, it is not when people don't complain, or they don't have the courage to speak up, or work together, when things fall apart. I'm hearing more and more from the inside of the hospital, and I can tell you they WANT to talk about what is going on.

The even bigger picture

We have options such as selling the hospital, but then we have to consider other issues facing this valley as well. Such as years of work on our "dangerous dam." This could cause closure of the 178 to Bakersfield for years.

It may offer some employment, but in the long run, this valley has not looked ahead, and is running into it's own walls...the hospital would be also effected. Have they considered that too? I'm sure they haven't as they are busy spraying water as their pants are on fire.

But again, we are looking at things too late. We failed in every respect, all of us. Now we have to find out what the reality is, and go from there.

According to George Stahl, writer for the Kern Valley Sun, the hospital is expected to fail. The Sun can be thanked for helping this happen, as if the truth were available to all, we could have handled it. But that never happens in the KRV...

Tim's speech: video and details coming up...McGlew slams critical access care report of quality and safety issues at CAH rural hospitals. Waiting for response from CAH to McGlew's statement.
Board member, Robert Gross, admitted that KVHD has safety issues. All video, coming soon...

PRA requests: shutting out the public...KVHD under Fire

2011-10-28T04:10:00.000-07:00

It may not be Wall Street, but there's a wall on this street: Kern Valley Healthcare District

Before the presentation of the strategic plan, I received the draft with the initial plans, such as becoming closer partners with other clinics in town. Okay...

The first draft indicated only "Sienna Wellness Institute," would be cozying up to the district, as if they are not already.

The institute is owned by Dr. Robert Gross, DO, KVHD board member, hospitalist, hospitalist group utilizing his clinic employees, former adversary who hired an attorney against the district, along with lining his clinic with campaign signs for the newly elected board vote, David Derr. His partner is Dr. Finstad, the Medical Director for the hospital.

How much closer could they possibly get?

Having the draft to compare to the final version made it interesting as suddenly Sienna Wellness was omitted and Sierra Clinica Vista (another former debtor with "Cal Mtg.) took its place. Sienna Wellness was not even included in the final plan, why would that be? They were not forced to choose only one.

I will put the document up for all to see soon, but I want to understand something before we go there.

Stonewalling the watchdog

I wrote to KVHD board counsel, Scott Nave, of Leimieux and Oneill, and asked about why there was a special meeting for a strategic planning vote. His response was that the hospital wanted the community there to hear all about the plan. I have been around here too long to fall for that pick up line. Next, he will add, "we care."

Usually, a special meetings require some urgency, or maybe privacy, but this was not the case, as we return to the issue of how this recent strategic planning contract bidding process went awry.

How much longer will I have to accept these answers that should be simple, consistent, but we all know the community doesn't know about most of these special meetings unless they make a point of going into the hospital and finding the glass case. It's the general meetings, the first Wednesday of every month, where you see or used to see, the crowds.

Though it was a special meeting it was not informational it was action that needed immediate attention to comply with the grant requirements associated with one of the most openly bizarre bid for a contract. I have had to struggle to find out what happened with this grant money being directed at one contractor as I've explained in earlier posts.

We don't have time for the public

But certain board members have complained that meetings run "too long." I find that obnoxious as if there are issues to be dealt with, those elected weren't forced to run for the board, they get paid per meeting, and even get healthcare benefits. I would like to take umbrage with meetings being truncated by elected officials who are not fulfilling their due diligence as a trustee to the district.

(Have you ever wondered if the board or even the CEO use there own healthcare services? You'll be surprised by the answer, if I ever get it. I like confirmation first, but let me say, they likely won't be sitting next to you in the waiting room of the rural health clinic or ER.)

KVHD board in a hurry

There was an incident when I brought in my third request for an investigation of certain hospital administrators and personnel to a general board meeting. I began reading the request into the record, but was rushed, and when another audience member asked to use her three minutes to hear the rest of the request she was told she could not. Why not? There is nothing prohibiting this.

Chairwoman, Victoria Alwin, shut down the request with a weak excuse, regarding something about taking too much time, dominating the meeting and keeping board members late. Apparently, Miss Alwin, has forgotten she is "serving" on the board. Try coffee or tea.

Or maybe we can go "tele-board meetings" and she can work from home timing the words of the community members she serves so they don't violate the most important issue: the three minute rule.

But then, the Chairwoman's choke hold on comments, hardly touches the other issues such as a situation I reported to the KVHD, CEO, Tim McGlew and was taken aback by his response.

Clarify this for me

Why can't a person who is related to someone who has a lawsuit against the hospital file a complaint, not a claim, with the hospital regarding a totally different issue? Another unsatisfactory answer for the public.

It was a complaint from a woman whose mother has a lawsuit against the district regarding the elder abuse case from 2006/2007.

Her daughter had no claim or lawsuit filed against the district, but the CEO refused to hear her issue, which had to do with an ER doctor who treated her child, and the board counsel said he did not have to hear her "complaint."

The information I received, by email, does not seem to fit the normal course of action. She had a a right to make a complaint regardless of her relationship with the other lawsuit. And since it had nothing to do with that case, it appeared illogical, therefore untrustworthy information.

We will cover claims and complaints, but I need people to be aware, that the board attorney has told me he investigates the claims coming to the hospital. So, where is Beta-group, and how may have they answered the question as the district's liability carrier?

However, regarding simple complaints from those darn complainers out there that could actually help them improve services with the knowledge, are likely round filed. But not all complaints can be round filed especially if there is an issue with possible illegal activities or unsafe practices.

Make sure to follow up and pursue answers beyond that of the hospital.

BACK to the special strategic planning meeting: Ahoy!

Each year the hospital gets SHIP grant monies, if they qualify, and there are specific uses for the small sum averaging 9,000 dollars.

As I've been asking, why was only MICHAEL PHILPS allowed to use that money to offset his bid for the job? I've never seen this happen before...anywhere, but is certainly not done in a public hospital setting.

So, the deadline to finish this project was 8/31/11, and the regular board meeting was 9/7/11. Again, pennies turn into dollars, but all of this is fishy, and I am done fooling around with the PRA, Public records act, which has turned into requests unfulfilled dating back three years. I explained this to the hospital's attorney, and he has yet to respond.

The issues I am bringing up are the causes of the districts problems and if we continue down the same path we will get the same results. At this time, they have no bananas, they have no bananas today...(sing along)

UPDATED:New tax measure talk of the town: Cal Mtg. and KVHD

2011-10-26T03:27:00.000-07:00

Uncle Tim and Uncle Chet want you, but mostly your money

The news is out, the first item in the latest strategic plan is the very thing that KVHD administrators and board members don't like to talk about...your money becoming their money...taxes.

The 2010 Measure G, fell like a rock in the election under the pressure of a failing economy as hospital administrators quickly threw together a 20 million dollar GOB without notifying the community until late in the election year or having solid plans to share with people who had questions.

It probably didn't help that also in August of 2010, CEO Tim McGlew, took a raise while employees salaries were frozen, then they came to the community for more money which was to put on a new ER with radiology. McGlew is also the highest paid CEO to date, coming into a 25 bed acute care hospital, at over 200K dollars, annually, with two raises in two years, and two defaults in two years.

(How would that justify a merit raise which should be the standard in the industry using practical as well as ethical policies when paying its hired help?)

It's the Government's fault: they are government

CFO, Chet Beedle has been relieved to blame the on-going hospital financial problems on the current recession, but anyone with a knowledge of the district's history, knows this started 25 years ago when the district borrowed against valley property owners taxes to expand the hospital.

They sold bonds. Revenue bonds.

And those who know the history also understand that excuses and scapegoating are almost what they do best at KVHD.

The original sin

The expansion deal of 1986, as we know, went bad, and we paid twice as much and only built half the construction project. Do your math. You will need to add a lot of zeros, but this cost not only money, but the quality of healthcare in the valley. The ability keep up with rapidly changing technology. The inability to keep and retain quality and community requested services.

It also left them antiquated, with equipment such as PHACO machines for cataract surgery, and cardiac equipment purchased by the KVHD Hospital Foundation, stored away, not put to use, though I'm sure it was depreciated.

Hard to believe, but we had two PHACO units, and one was stored in the closet of a chiropractor for several years until he asked them to remove it. (The lack of sense and continuity in their spending is outrageous, we have barely touched on it yet)

Why should you care?

This is your debt. If you own property within the boundaries of the Kern Valley Healthcare District: you own that debt. If the hospital stops existing and paying that debt, you will begin paying that debt. Ask the residents of Concord or Pittsburgh, California, as they are finally nearing the end of paying state creditor with the office of statewide healthcare planning and development, OSHPD, our friends and anchor, CAL MTG.

The reason for my redundancy on this issue, is that many residents do not understand that they are the debt holders. When the hospital added another 6.8 million this year, I did not hear anyone flinch, when they apparently "agreed" with the district to go forward with this "Beedle deal," and encumber themselves further.

But that's not the whole story: The GOB and the new debt reserve/ not a loan though

Board Counsel, Scott Nave wrote to me shortly after I sought information from Cal Mtg. regarding the latest encumbrance, 6.8 million you and your family and future offspring recently spent.

There is a serious conflict in this area, where Mr. Nave, of Leimeux and Oneill, and the legal counsel for Cal Mtg., Don Morey, have completely different stories regarding this latest financial venture created by CFO, Chet Beedle, who has his own story, as well as CEO, Tim McGlew.

What happened to our rights?

In an effort to understand the deal, as the timing was shortly before the board voted to allow the community to hear information from another attorney, David Weinstein, who was to speak regarding all the options the district might have concerning negotiating with debt insurer, Cal Mtg. or the viability of bankruptcy, etc.

Weinstein's visit, which was solely informational, and cost less than the seat warmers in KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew's Jaguar convertible, should have been accessible prior to the decision to go forward with another "quasi-financial" deal with Cal Mtg.

But as everything KVHD, they continue to prowl at night, creating business plans that go to financial institutions without board approval, offering tax dollars to gain approval for extra money on their line of credit, holding off anyone who might know more than the CFO or have ties to others that are benefiting from these illegal and unethical practices.

Mr. Weinstein came to the valley, he spoke for 3 hours, but that was after the CFO, and CEO, had safely sealed the latest stop gap agreement for 6.8 million which would have changed the information he would be giving as we asked for information prior to any more spending. And the board voted for it.

You likely didn't hear about the options, as the local media, actually, refused to take the information or cover the story. Ask Sue Barr of the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper or call for a video copy.

So who do we believe?

Okay, two attorneys, a CFO and a CEO, walk into a bar, the first one says...I apologize, but this is a joke, to have to constantly juggle all the different answers that should be simple and straightforward.

As I said, the first item on the new strategic plan is to begin the campaign for another general obligation bond, GOB, that is collected in property taxes from residents of the valley. The bond CANNOT be used to pay the debt, but somehow I believe they will "funge it."

Nave responds in an email:

The District has not eliminated a general obligation bond from future plans. In fact, it was one of the first items in the strategic plan. Cal Mortgage is aware of and, to our knowledge, in concurrence with this plan
But Cal Mtg. said they were clearing up the confusion:
I hope this clears up any confusion surrounding the current situation between the District and the Office. The intent and effect of this plan should be to increase Medicare and Medi-Cal cost reimbursements to the District and lower overall costs, particularly in the short run, to allow the District to implement steps to increase revenue and reduce expenses.

This will result in more time and money which the District can use to improve services, make capital improvements and generate sufficient revenue to support the District’s medical services without the necessity of a general obligation bond measure.

Don Morey

What we have here is one story from KVHD that they are in sync with Cal Mtg. and all believe they should go forward with a tax hike next year.

But as Cal Mtg. responded above, they gave them this last bit of crumbs, to avoid having to overburden this valley with a GOB...so they say.

We're playing hot potato with this

Now, on January 5, 2011, Chet Beedle requested that Cal Mtg. make this agreement, but on December 2, 2010, the board had voted to let the community hear about ALL the financial options, which were to be presented by David Weinstein initially. We asked for this information and the board voted to go forward.

But just as in 2009, when I had asked the board and administrators, and even local government to try and negotiate some sort of deal, a deferment, anything that could stop the bleeding, again the CFO, Chet Beedle, managed to keep that from happening. Beedle and then CEO, Rick Carter, along with Bradley Armstrong, began harassing the board member in favor of attempting a solution.

It was called off, because of bullying on the KVHD end.

Just a minutes

Mr. Beedle repeatedly lied about the financial condition of the hospital on video, and in emails. The only thing Cal Mtg. has done is read the minutes from the meetings and have some secret meetings. That is why I had to protest the minutes at a board meeting, with long time administrative secretary Heidi Sage, who was not putting in my comments verbatim as I had requested.

The film is rather funny, as the board members argued with me that I could NOT pull the minutes from the agenda, as they didn't even know the meeting basics. I guess that is what the board attorney Scott Nave is being paid the big bucks for.

But they also lied to Cal Mtg.

In a series of emails beginning in November of 2009, between KVHD CFO, CEO, and Cal Mtg. case manager, Mabel Chan, it becomes clear that the administration was hiding the dire situation occurring financially from both the community and their insurer.

Beedle was attempting to get a total of one million for his operational line of credit, but was being turned down. He offered up the fact that the bank who would fork over the full million would also get to manage the GOB monies he told Chan that our community was supporting at that time...Feb/March 2010. He said they had 80% support.

According to CEO, Tim McGlew, in an email dated April 2010, they had not done a survey as I had inquired after reading the correspondence, and he was going to "look into it." I'm waiting patiently.

The defeat of the bond measure last year, showed the community has learned more about the issue and turned their backs on the district and sent them a clear message...on a billboard: NO ON MEASURE G.

The Beedle request on behalf of the district:

Here again, Cal Mtg. accepts Beedle's request for assistance as the piggy bank or AKA the debt reserve fund is depleted for the second time in just over ten years.

Yet, Cal Mtg. justifies the deal by simply saying the hospital has been struggling for last few years (it's 25 years to be accurate) and that the district is now attempting to reduce costs.

They also attempted to cut costs in 2005 which lead to an investigation into "short staffing, dehydrated patients, falsifying staffing documents and physical restraints in the nursing center."

It makes you wonder if there isn't some liability on both parties here in the elder abuse case or at any time when the hospital failed to provide proper and legal staffing.

Low rent district

The CFO had free rent for 10 years and now is paying $60 a month, is that what Cal Mtg. is talking about when they say reducing costs, because Beedle only began paying rent shortly before they admitted to the community they were in default on their debt covenant.

But again Beedle on film, told the audience at the July 2010 board meeting, that yes they were in default but received a special "waiver" from Cal Mtg. And when I asked Cal Mtg. what this waiver was about, Don Morey, said he did not know what Chet meant by a waiver.

Again, always discrepancies between the stories from Beedle and McGlew and Cal Mtg.

If you aren't confused now, you will be soon

Who is running the Kern Valley Healthcare District: really?

2011-10-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

Lying to your creditor: CFO Chester N. Beedle

Perusing emails written to and from the Kern Valley Healthcare District CFO, Chet Beedle, I have a theory that either Cal Mtg. insurer of this community's debt is easily duped, or they are fine with having Mr. Beedle sending out emails regarding things not so "transparent."

Beedle has been with the district or formerly with the district's management company that hired former CEO of KHD, Pamela Ott, currently charged with elder abuse.

Dave Green and Chet Beedle came on board the sinking ship in 2000, after the obvious overwhelming debt from the expansion project which was initially estimated to cost 13 million, and finally climbed up to 22 million, and yet the construction only created half the initial project.

Management companies have combed thru this valley scribbling notes, charging large sums, regarding saving a hospital ruined by debt and incompetence. Chet Beedle came from such a company, called BRIM.

(under construction: see you soon)

(Current KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, came on board in July of 2009, in his first year he started a campaign for a "bailout" called Measure G. All the management companies, that have been involved in trying to create a solution by charging "Wall Street" prices, have overwhelmed the districts bank account, and ALWAYS the first suggestion is a tax hike. And now once again, via our new and old friends, another GOB is on the way. Watch you wallet.)

Sent: Monday, Sept. 10, 2007 10:35:24 am
From: Chet Beedle
Subject: Hi

The answer to your questions are as follows:
1) Dr. Gross wants to be the hospitalist medical director for KVHD, but he wants significantly more money to do so.
2) Yes, KVHD lost over one million dollars on their capitation contract with BFMC. The district does currently have a contract with BFMC, but it is a fee for service contract.
3) The answer to your question is yes. Cal Mtg. and the bondholders have already discussed bringing in a management company due to KVHD not meeting their bond covenants. I have staved them off by saying that we have already done this with Sycamore Asset Management Co. They will not continue to wait forever.

Thanks for the confidence about the financial position of the district for the last four years. I am just concerned that we are no longer in that position and I am not currently able to reverse that trend.

I am waiting to see if Bob Jamison will take Rick Carter to Exchange. Have a good day!

Chet Beedle

Beedle's Resume shows a sharp shooter

Reading Beedle's email showing that he has the clout to actually ignore Cal Mtg., or stave them off, mislead them, you can suddenly see a link with his resume:

3) Assisted two California district hospitals with obtaining operating lines of credit that were guaranteed by the Cal Mortgage program of the State of California.

This is quite confusing as the CFO manager of KVHD's money and perpetuity, claims to have saved district hospitals, arranging Chapter 11 reorganizations, has strategic planning strategies, but he went to school in 1976, and then prior to his arrival in these here mountains, he finally got his masters in Business at La Verne University.

But in his email, he dramatically reveals he cannot keep up with the debt that had been created before and after his arrival. For Beedle to have all this experience, I would imagine, that the situation financially was the truth.

What could he have done to assist two hospitals to obtain Lines of Credit from Cal Mtg? Fungible monies, for old debts, it seems this is how it is done. No bankruptcy with Cal Mtg., but that doesn't mean there aren't other ideas.

Current CEO, Tim McGlew, also had a relationship with the OSHPD office of Cal Mtg. when he worked for the "Home for Jewish Parents" on a multimillion dollar expansion project

There is nothing illegal about a line of credit, except when the insurer of your debt is the only one who can obtain credit for the beleaguered healthcare district. The problem is that the board and administration seemed toknow ltte about

Playing games with my heart....and yours...KVHD under Fire

2011-10-10T04:04:00.000-07:00

Perusing the new Kern Valley Healthcare District "Strategic Plan" (rolling eyes)

I had a some time on my hands along with a strip of tape clinging to my spine this week, so I decided to begin reading the newest strategic plan opened to the public at a special meeting where the administrators at KVHD rushed to bring the plan in under the necessary time frame for those grant monies which were doled out in an interesting arrangement.

Since it was such exciting material I jumped from the table of contents straight to the new pain management section of what I will call the "high hopes and low IQ" report as the irony of this is too funny not to tell you about.

Now the hospital claims to have both an ER and a "skilled" nursing facility, but that is rather a tall order to fulfill those needs. KVHD Skilled nursing amounts to nothing more than an average nursing home can offer.

In the ER you have little in the way of services, or as the locals call it, "the band aid station" and there have been complaints, and remarks on varying sites and in the newspapers, about the "drug seekers" who consume all the time from those who are sober, non-smoking or swearing citizens, waiting patiently for the doctors to get people "high."

The irony begins in that we have an ER where the doctors and staff are so blatantly "anti-pain medication" that I can only laugh at their inability to see their own hypocrisy.

I mean if they really think this a problem rather than defaming and harassing patients, why not speak up and tell your board and manager that there should not be "pain care" here...then add your justifications at the end. (oh that's right, there are some pesky laws about caring for people's pain and not causing aggravated conditions.)

This really is an important issue we must begin to address truthfully and openly, and if you have pain management, I suggest, you begin getting a new bond to build the drug rehab center you will need when those drugs come floating out onto our streets and into the schools and you find them in your kids sock drawer.

Having pain management would be a risky business as the hospital has heard complaint after complaint about doctors and nurses in it's own ER, what would they do with a new contingent of drug addicts?

Taking most pain killers means risking addicting your mind and body to chemicals, which is a decision which should be made with ALL educational information included.

Trust me, this is not how pain management clinics are being operated, I like to call them "legal crackhouses."

A bright young man in the rehab business said they are seeing more and more average people coming in to try and get off medications that they did not know would become problematic.

Chronic pain is tricky business and takes a doctor of some worth to work out the details, keep it safe, offer options outside of simply prescribing pain killers which is what most of them are doing, and to no surprise they are doing well financially. Customers surprisingly come back again and again.

Actually, KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, told me about the pain management in January at my bedside shortly after I stopped screaming. I'm sure he will tell us all about it, the addict profit margin, which is the bottom line they snort over there you know.

There are times for medications and times for vacations

The pharmaceutical market is flooded with pain medications, new ones, such as one I tried, called Exogal. It was really fun, as I slept the day away getting nothing done. This was not what I needed and did not fit my pain level or my health issues, or my disability.

Pain is not an easy situation even for a doctor to understand, but it comes with its own side effects. Pain can lead to stress on the body and mind, which we know can lead to any amount of ailments.

Exagol is one of many variations of addictive medicines that are to be used at a "HOSPITAL" and not bought from a strung out pharmacy tech or from someone's grandmother's medicine cabinet.

There are many people out there who are in pain, not catching your toe on the coffee table, but passing a bowling ball type of pain, or a broken bone, nerve damage, things that not everyone can relate to and understand, these are serious, on-going problems, which usually involve complex health issues.

Bringing compassion to a person in pain is usually a natural response in normal human beings, however, this is KVHD, and we have to maybe look at why they have become the hardened rocks who think giving out a dose of pain killer to someone in pain is encouraging addiction.

They are obviously not trained

And I've noted that there needs to be serious discussion, not just Obama talk, but real information on how these pain medications, or any others for that matter are to be used and in the most functional way.

If you are nauseous they give you an anti-nausea medicine in the ER. Why? Because this is uncomfortable and it could cause other issues such as dehydration.

What these doctors and staff are failing to gather is that this is the same thing, except that it has to be done without prejudice but obviously with some judgment.

And who can you count on for good judgment? KVHD and a pain clinic? No, I don't think so.

There are so many other things to repair

Before KVHD sails off on the Titanic plan with their "high hopes" they have much that they could do better already, but unfortunately the long run of mismanagement, petty infighting, bullying, registry costs, inbred contracting and the financial catastrophe, have prevented this district from becoming what it had the potential to become.

As we used to say in baseball, it's the fundamentals, and we practiced rigorously until the moves were seamless because we cared about our performance. KVHD has not gotten the basics, they are illiterate to the needs of the community, openly hostile to patients and employees, and now they want to manage more responsibility such as the comfort and well being of pain management patients, or as they say in the ER, "Junkies," "Drug seekers," "crackheads."

Can I see your license please?

First, where does this ER get off supposedly trying to treat my heart condition when they can't fix a broken arm?

Second, umm, why didn't I get told I had a heart condition? There are serious problems with the records, and now the government is pushing money at the electronic records which certainly would help...but somebody still has to gather the information and get it to the patient in time for early detection which costs less both in terms of money and health.

Which in my case, and others who have been sharing information, is a problem they are not even aware of or actively correcting. One person told me she had a test revealed to her after THREE YEARS that she had a gastric issue, which now may require surgery. Go KVHD!

I'm sure the average person can see the danger and the outcome is never in favor of the patient. The law has insured that doctors will not have to incur high costs for liability insurance, so their "service" is unlike normal business practices in that they are allowed to get away...with anything.

The Keystone Cardiologists from the KVHD ER

(pulse and oxygen saturation Saturday, October 8. 2011: I NEED MY NARCAN, Tom, Phil, and the KVHD cardiology team...lead by Dr. Suckapiano)

As I sat reading the latest in KVHD propaganda, or as they call it, the strategic plan, I could hear the thumps in my chest, the very same symptom on the day that KVHD should have killed me, but accidentally left me alive, and I'm kind of grouchy about it too.

Next week I will be given the tests to see if I have to actually go through and have a pacemaker implanted which if it is the proper solution, I will hope I can have it done. Since this recent medical find out of the "KVHD X files" (also known as our medical records) was only uncovered in the last month which is criminal really, I have to begin the tour I should have made last year: to the proper doctors.

It has been a lot to consider that in one visit to the ER at KVHD, that I now face something I had no idea I would be facing at this age.

The only thing about it, is that it at least makes sense this time.

The new KVHD ER threat

What they did in that ER to me was the new threat at the KVHD ER. The doctors were not treating my heart condition that they themselves only knew about, but they treated a drug overdose which wasn't there with a medication called Narcan which is usually just uncomfortable to a reviving overdose victim, but to a heart patient with autoimmune, the response was chest pains, screaming, and stress to my heart.

So, the question becomes, why if this was the proper treatment, did they stonewall me, and not tell me what medication or treatment I was being given? The craven nurse would not even make eye contact.

And secondarily, this is not the treatment for bradycardia, let me be clear, it is a treatment for overdose victims who are in respiratory distress, unconscious, I was driving, walking and talking, until they sure showed me.

Pain management patients need to avoid the KVHD ER until future notice as this is a potentially dangerous practice, as Narcan is usually not a problem if there is a drug overdose, but when it's given to a person who has other or unknown illnesses, it can be harmful. Never allow KVHD to give medications without consent, and if they are unwilling to tell you or write it down for you...RUN!

Danger, either these doctors and nurses purposefully sent me on a injurious, torturous trip, or they are...quacks. I think we need to do some research after we heard our former, suing us, hugging us, surgeon, who came up with a few background issues a patient should be privy to prior to seeking his services.

It's time to see their credentials first: all trust gone

I say, we had Pam Ott's diploma mill credentials, Chet Beedle's amazing resume where he is three places at once, the DON of the SNF not quite all credentials, and this is a public service district, where we have a right to know if the hospital is continuing its practice of hiring people with suspicious backgrounds, or affiliated with someone's friends.

Focus and Execute this blight on the valley

Oh yes, I did get to see the number one strategic plan and you all know what it is, c'mon blog readers, you're smarter, faster and stronger, than other simple consumers...it's a, a, a, GOB!

How did those clever folks over at CCAHN, the new game in town with some old faces, ever come up with that one?

Right, we should pay them tax money, as Chet Beedle, leaves a losing game of playing hospital administrator, he gets the prize of a nice retirement he is currently telling friends and colleagues about his eminent departure from the nasty sore he has left in this valley. His legacy of bogus budgets, lying to creditors, breaking promises, berating employees, will leave a bad taste, even as bad as Cal Water, in our mouths for years to come.

With a decade of Beedle's strung out financial planning, we are currently just that: out of money and time. But don't worry about Chet he's very well vested, more so than anyone else.

The jokes on us and our health

If we as members of this community had taken it upon ourselves to look past all their names on the agenda, their contracts, and truly see that we have not put up a healthcare district to be proud of, but a den of iniquity to be ashamed of. The nurse I met in Bakersfield put it best:

"Oh, I live in Lake Isabella too." He said as he wheeled me out the automatic doors of the hospital.
Of course, being who I am, I responded, "then why are you working down here?"
He put it about as good as it gets, "I did work there 25 years ago, but the administration was so corrupt that I didn't want to have anything to do with it. And nothing has changed."

There's some truth for you...the same conditions exist now which lead to the encumbrance of the community's tax dollars those 25 years ago. Without changing the conditions, we will end up feeding every finance company who eagerly claims they can help us.

(We probably even have a reverse mortgage now that I may have missed on the consent agenda...)

The hospital has been eaten away at as if it were covered in termites. This is not a matter of a few mistakes, this is an ailing hospital, stalked by predators in the healthcare industry who know how to profit from these situations. Such as management companies...BRIM....Sycamore Management Company (via a Beedle email) who keep coming up with the same bail out proposition: "big money" as Chet calls the GOB.

But big money, actually any money, is spent recklessly without regard for the owners of the district: us.

Sycamore left with MILLIONS and the owner told me he obtained the contract simply by looking in the newspaper and finding the hospital nursing center was at the point of closure, immediate jeopardy. There's some literal ambulance chasing.

In white collar crime there is a pattern to be established, and I think after a quarter of a century we can now see the pattern, but have "yet" to conquer it.

(Next architectural drawings we paid 10K for last year and probably will again. But we may get help through old chum, David Yarborough, former owner of Aspen Street Architects, who happens to be doing a very similar expansion to his ER at Gridley Memorial.
Yes, Mr. Yarborough, who worked with KVHD on it's seismic plans for several years, is now the CEO, of Gridley, and brought on his former company Aspen Street to help him on his project. Gosh, it's so good to be back together again...sharing ideas, strategic plans, and money. Soon Caldwell, Flores and Winters will rejoin, excuse me, continue their active contract... And it was all Tim McGlew's doing. Thanks Tim.)

Community member solves accounting error at hospital: KVHD under Fire

2011-09-23T20:14:00.000-07:00

My meeting with Mr. McGlew: Community member fought to prove accounting error: What happened to HFS, the auditor, or Kern Valley Healthcare District?

Kern Valley Healthcare District Chief Financial Officer, Chester Beedle, didn't take well to the idea he had a mistake on the books, claiming there was no such thing over a period of several months last year, ignoring a local resident.

Beedle is a high paid CFO in comparison to the position in other comparable sized hospitals.

His resistance to the issue could have left 75K dollars disappearing into the fiscal year where even Rick Jackson, the "regular" and mostly overused auditor, couldn't find it.

HFS, Rick Jackson, Cal Mtg. working with the wrong numbers

Then the question becomes even more strange, as HFS, was in the hospital to do a report which was supposed to help KVHD through another "default' with debt insurer, Cal Mtg., yet they did NOT find the missing monies.

The HFS engagement as they call it was derailed as the company was heavily criticized by board member, hospitalist, Dr. Robert Goss DO, who said they had left "giant holes" in their report.

HFS missed the 75K dollar accounting error, which would put the figures they gathered for the report...umm, 75 thousand dollars off. Would that money have thrown off their report, and the giant hole, was made of this figure?

During the time frame May 2010 to November 2010, HFS was in the books looking around, and auditor Rick Jackson, also had the numbers, but it was not the "professionals" that brought out the mistakes: it was a woman in the community who simply began reading the KVHD financials.

I do believe this woman deserves a finder's fee, as that money would be long gone had she not persisted, trying to get around the CFO's claims that there were no mistakes on his books. (so then it wasn't a mistake?)

After months of effort to be heard on her discovery in the financials, she met with KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, who said to her after five months, that he had "discovered" the mistake.

The meeting is on video below, showing clearly, that McGlew waited for months, and then suddenly, "Oh, my God" he exclaims, he had found it the night before.

In the community they do not trust

Certain board members and CFO smirked and ignored the woman's claim as I'm sure they thought there could be no way someone might be "alert" as she wasn't paid she just happened to enjoy reading the financials. (I missed the error too, it was hidden behind that million dollar dinosaur we call the "old debt.")

Dr. Gross, DO, formerly the chairman of the Finance Committee never even asked that it be considered. Yep, "formerly" chairman of the Finance committee.

There was no effort for five months to find this error, or to even consider that they could have made a boo boo. The Chairwoman of the board did not even ask that it be looked into, as Victoria Alwin, spends more time with her three minute egg timer trying to control public input as the board has repeatedly complained that meetings run long.

You would think there were enough "eyes" to catch this 75K salmon swimming up river, but apparently these eyes need glasses or we need to hire on or say vote in a whole different type of board: one that is open and one that can add.

75K minus 144

During the way overdue meeting, Tim McGlew, explains he had suddenly found the error the night before: Of course this was several months after the woman persisted in her contention there was a 75K dollar "problem."

She complained at the meeting in front of the board members who had the same documents in front of them as the mathematically superior resident and if there was ambition to understand the books, the board members could have, I mean, should have, done their math.

Instead of backing down, she made a call to Chet Beedle the numbers wizard, and reported she had been told there was no mistake and not to call again. Then he humbly, "positively" hung up on her.

Next was Heidi Sage, as a visit was made, in an effort to help, and the woman claims to have been berated and escorted out.

(Now I agree with McGlew, "Oh my God." )

"I told them they need to own up to their mistakes: Tim McGlew KVHD CEO. Then he blamed it on Barbara Figeuroa, the KVHD controller, who always remains in control as she seems to always be the one they turn to when they need to explain away some error.

On the video you will hear McGlew defending Chet Beedle, but pointing the finger at "Hidey Sage."

Just to remind Mr. McGlew that he is the CEO, who should have taken it upon himself to follow his own words he used when I suggested we sell or lease the hospital as a solution to the debt or option in lieu of Measure G: "...that would take away the input of the community."

Obviously, that is a cursory response, as he didn't follow his own advice when he allowed this financial error to be overlooked, I imagine if McGlew can drive a Jaguar, he can afford a good calculator. Why didn't he catch the error or any of them?

I'm now sure this woman deserves a "finders fee" and I'm going to suggest that she at least be given 1% of the money which would have gotten away....

KHVD under Fire contributor: Advice from a patient

2011-09-22T11:03:00.000-07:00

Bad experience: no recourse

I have this best nurse, she has helped me so much, she's my friend and customer, and she gave me some advice you can take or not.

No names, but she told me you don't tell this community about all your issues or nobody will help you. The doctors and nurses stick together and they will lie.

She is the hardest working nurse I know, she's one of the smartest people I know. I respect her so when she told me not to report a molestation by a doctor I got mad real mad.

I felt like a victim, she's wrong and you don't report it they walk all over you, and that ain't okay. But I got to have a doctor, I have a lot to live for, I want to be here with my grand babies.

I know if I speak up I won't be able to get healthcare.

My husband agreed that if we stay here we can't let our business out for everyone to know in this small town where they talk about us. We decided to complain to the nurse board because theres no choices around here we thought it would be safer this way.

We gave the state board our complaint two years ago then no kidding we got a letter 3 days ago. That made me want to write this to our valley.

What took all these years to type a stupid letter only backed the doctor saying they did nothing wrong. My friend hit the nose that they protect each other, and the state board what a fake.

Our family planned on retiring here around the lake, but if we do we have to shut our mouths about what happened.

It's a crappy feeling being afraid to tell anyone but our advice is to be picky picky picky when you look for a doctor. When we had to change doctors we did it by asking around I even talked to the staff. We feel lucky it is worth the drive to feel safe again.

Complaints are the answer

Laura Hart here...

I've heard so many stories over the last five years I've had dealings with the Kern Valley Healthcare District, that I will continue to urge this community to take back its hospital district, its tax money, until there are measures taken to satisfy all safety, HIPAA, requirements and even a "drop" of quality to bring it back together.

The more complaints I receive, the more chances this community has to recover it's healthcare district and make it into something that has transparency in all it's financial dealings, leading to proper staffing, level salaries, and even a neighborly atmosphere.

Sadly, this story hit me as it is so typical of what I have encountered since I began investigating this district. FEAR.

What did they do with all the complaints I sent?

In a question to the hospital about how they handle complaints and grievances, where the information goes, to who or what, I was rather unhappy with the answer and will pursue this information further.

I expected to hear about a clear and fair playing field, where complaints aren't always promises which never manifest, where investigations actually take place with data to provide information and the response was that most of our complaints hit the round file unless you're ready to move into a court room and likely lose the battle.

So, when CNO, Mark Gordon, glows about his few patient surveys, he is not talking about all the material, because they are not tracking it I found out. They seem to have lost pictures a woman sent to me with a complaint as there were used syringes on the floor under her daughters gurney in the ER.

And when I asked Michael Philps the strategic planner who rode up the mountain on his SHIP to impart his knowledge of KVHD's future, he expressed that in his sessions with the community he wanted ONLY positive comments.

We just read a story about a woman who is afraid to complain, yet that is the answer to actually creating solutions. If we had no problems we wouldn't need Mr. Philps, therefore, any information derived from this type of selective surveying, is useless.

But we need more people to step forward. Until there is significant support and a plan of action on the part of the community, I will keep all correspondence anonymous unless directed to reveal your names.

White collar crime

Well, if anyone should be able to tell both sides of this mountain hospital drama, politics and medicine, it would be me. However, it would have been over and done, possibly solved problems, had there been more complaints and more voices.

But the author of the story is correct, she has a small town to live in, and only one hospital, planned on living rural, and if she wrote a letter to the editor with her name, exposing her situation, immediately she would be a healthcare pariah, along with her family.

The employees of the hospital who have known the activities of this district for a decade or so, have followed the KRV staple, "don't ask, don't tell." It's common in white collar crime situations for people to use the excuse, "I was only following orders."

I have not completely done all the research on the ROC laws, but their intent is to keep people from saying just that: "I didn't know." The government has chipped away at the rights of patients, creating caps on lawsuits, obviously the California oversight needs a serious optometrist, and this makes it "dangerous for patients."

These laws are interesting, but they are not the only ones the feds or the California AG could have used to clean house so that there was a chance of survival, which is waning. These are the same people in charge of the new "healthcare reform" which means if they can't reform a small, rural, unsafe hospital, then we can expect widespread failure in the coming years.

Put the board on the stand

In an ironic way this hospital and community had a chance to make great changes to this district when the 2007 elder abuse case came to light. Had there been interest from law enforcement, or maybe our current Governor who has a penchant for penny pinching, we could have taken action.

There could have been a way to charge more people such as nurses who knew the situation at the nursing center, but again didn't want to lose that $10 an hour job, over an elderly persons health.

Nurses went out on stress leave and somehow got away from this case, yet they were the very ones overseeing the situation, daily. One nurse, of course, was the mother of a long time employee, so she hit the road before the storm, as I'm sure she was notified.

Employees lied to the DOJ, and a few even admitted it. But then that was probably not included in the Public relations releases from Sacramento.

And we all know three members of that board colluded and obstructed the investigation while letting the former CEO, Pam Ott, who had diploma mill credentials, go off to Sierra Kings in Reedley and take them down the road to bankruptcy.

Sierra Kings survived: they voted

As KVHD hits the skids, unable to make debt payments on their "new and improved" 6.8 million dollar loan (but they say it's not a loan even though we pay interest and borrow money?) there is much to be discovered as to how we can "force" proper healthcare in this valley.

While Ott is alleged to have managed to get into the GOB the Reedley taxpayers paid for expansion, and also the employee pension fund which cost some people their retirement, the Kern Valley Health Care district allowed her to walk away from a serious situation and knowingly put another community in jeopardy.

But the fighters in Reedly, unlike the divisive KRV, came together and found a way out, and now in the last two years while KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, and CFO, Chet Beedle, were street peddling for local tax dollars, they went thru a bankruptcy and leased their hospital and are open for business.

And together they saved healthcare for their residents.

I need your complaints and have sympathy, actually more empathy, for all who have had to endure the lack of quality, safety, defamation, negligence and improper billing practices.

There are many solutions to these problems, but when you see the same mediocre practices, lack of vision (due to a crystal ball shortage they say) for the future, and little or no true communication with the people of this valley, the only way out is actually using this democracy to take action. (yes, we need instructions)

So, I'm going over the "stratragic" planning plan, that looks awfully familiar, like all the others we paid for, and I will bring up the options, ALL the options, we have if we intend to create quality healthcare in this valley.

The only way is to unite, stay away from petty differences, and mull over the true options, we the debt holders of the district, meaning we are the owners in every sense, have an obligation to each other in terms of taking responsibility for this mess.

Critical Access Hospital Network CCAHN Strategic Plan 2010-2011

Draft – CCAHN 2010-2011 Strategic Plan. By MJ Philps & Associates January 29 ...

http://www.ccahn.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/CCAHN_Stragegic_Plan_DRAFT_2010-2011.pdf

KVHD News: State Medical board rules on Dr. Hoshang Pormir

2011-09-19T21:03:00.000-07:00

The State Medical Board in action

According to the Medical board of California, former Kern Valley Healthcare District physician, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, currently charged in the hospital's elder abuse case, has had a ruling in his case with the state's investigation into negligence involved with the nursing center at the rural hospital during 2006 and 2007.

Documents from the Medical Board show that Pormir has been given two years probation and limits on his scope of practice such as having a "solo practice" or working with the elderly, were amongst his limitations.

http://www2.mbc.ca.gov/LicenseLookupSystem/PhysicianSurgeon/document.aspx?path=\DIDOCS\20110815\DMRAAADE2\&did=AAADE110815170725193.DID&licenseType=A&licenseNumber=49827

What about the elder abuse trial?

With the quietly revealed probation and restrictions on one of the three defendants in the KVHD elder abuse case, we still have a trial date for March 12, 2012, at the Kern County Superior court.

Not that a plea bargain can't be reached, as they sometimes wait until the very last moment to cut a deal and avoid a trial which could be a greater risk than taking a lesser sentence.

As of the last reports, Dr. Pormir, along with fellow defendants, former KVHD CEO, Pamela Ott, and the former Director of Nursing, Gwen Hughes, still face criminal charges as well as civil cases waiting in the wings as this case may be overshadowed by new cases coming to light out of the public healthcare district.

With a growing list of cases against the hospital in civil court, and several cases emanating from the skilled nursing facility mismanagement, KVHD faces great financial losses in the coming months and years, which could turn out to be the death knell for the ailing hospital.

The community has recently been alerted that the first thing on KVHD's list of "stratragic" planning which was revealed at a special meeting so the community to join in, has a new tax measure at the top of the list.

More vanilla ice cream and a community that is expected to pull the hospital out of debt, which may be impossible with the upcoming legal cases. A letter to the editor of the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper from a former KVHD backer, and a long time volunteer, was turned down by the hospital as she fell after a meeting and broke her teeth.

The angry sounding letter, seemed more disappointed than anything else, but it seems the hospital can dish it out, but won't pay for it, and according to the author, asked that her dentist give a discount.

With the hospital unable to make its monthly payments to debt insurer, Cal Mtg., they stagger on with ideas which would have worked years ago, but with no circumspection, the hospital faces major hurdles, and one of which is convincing unhappy customers to come back to a hospital which cannot provide worthy or adequate healthcare. And then pay some more property taxes too.

Who is William H. Ginsburg?

After a few reactions to the Medical boards' decision with Dr. Pormir, most were shocked by the seemingly "light penalty" which includes a 40 hour course and payment for the classes.

But Dr. Pormir, who has had several different attorneys since the elder abuse charges were brought against him, one being Donald Etra, somewhat famous for his work with celebrities, and his visit with George Bush in the White House.

However, the attorney who is listed as handling the Medical board case, is William Howard Ginsburg, someone sounding familiar, but most don't remember that a young, Monica Lewinsky, and a President, Ginsburg was handling Lewinsky.

These are big attorneys who have been around and know the right people, and so far, this is the first of the cases being handled by the state agency, Consumer rights, Nursing board, so there will be more information to come soon.

Dr. Pormir still has some mountains to climb, but it seems he is being helped by some top notch attorneys, though he has recently had to change to another attorney, financial problems being the reason, he still must face elder abuse charges.

Hughes was first to bankrupt, as the hospital's liability insurance does not cover criminal matters, and then Pormir and Ott claimed hardship and have been assigned attorneys by the court, while Hughes has a public defender.

With money short for years at KVHD, since the late 1980's when they failed to complete an expansion, and have had an anchor around their credit for 22 plus years. However, the actual costs will never be accounted for in anyway, be it the patients who were mistreated or harmed, the suspicious deaths, the management company costs, the losses to overpriced contractors, the contract with debt insurer Cal Mtg. which keeps costing more and doing nothing.

Why did HFS come in to help with a default, chosen by KVHD CFO, Chet Beedle, and then they are not finished with the job, because as board member, Dr. Gross DO, claimed they left "giant holes" in the report which were corrected by the CFO in the finance committee? What was the point of spending more, as these pennies have added up to millions, and this debt is owned by the community.

You do have power but you have to care

But there are several things this community could do to take back this hospital district and we will discuss this shortly.

We could vote a tax for the hospital, but then they haven't exactly helped us, so that may not be the answer. We don't know where the money goes, the community had to catch a 75K error: what's wrong with that picture?

We could also vote out the whole district and start over. We could also vote to take our tax money back from the district until they clean out the parasitic practices and conflict of interest.

There's oversight that the county of Kern could have sent in a long time ago, assigned someone to the hospital. No, we have seen no action on the part of the county or it's representatives to shift control so that there is transparency finally forced on the part of KVHD and it's partner, Cal Mtg.

What do you want to do? Class action lawsuit? Bring in the feds to use the much underused, ROC laws, also known as the "should have known" laws. This would bring the mice out of the woodwork, the employees too frightened to lose their jobs would have to speak up or be charged as they "should have known."

Just a thought, what about you, have any thoughts?

Former Auxiliary President "punched in teeth" by KVHD? No support from CEO, shocking...

2011-09-04T04:25:00.000-07:00

Auxiliary: Giving support, serving as an aid, helpful. (Also, used as a "reserve" in case of need)

Sadly, I received a few phone calls referring me to a letter to the editor in the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper this week. I saw the name, I know this person, and she and I have only agreed on one thing: the auxiliary has used their time and energy to keep the hospital going and after all these years of service, they have kept it going on the volunteer pay scale, free.

You see without the auxiliary there would be no hospital right now. It was parasitically run dry starting in 1986, continuing thru this year when the administrators went ahead and remained the "band of brothers" with Cal Mtg. the insurer of a great big "giant" debt, and took more money under what seems to be false pretenses...(coming soon)

Where does the money come from?

The driving force behind the hospital is the auxiliary and the Hospital Foundation who have been volunteering and donating, truly backing the hospital...As I said the auxiliary runs a thrift store which continues to have more profit than the hospital itself.

This time a volunteer decided not to "take one for the team."

When I ran a business, a plumbing business some may remember from previous posts, our company flooded the former Northridge Mall. We carried liability insurance, probably more than KVHD even though they deal with life and death.

The contractor expected us to pick up the bill for the damages and repairs, and after a meeting, we made a deal, and the issue was over and done.

Could I have gone pressed the issue trying to scrape a few dollars off the bill, sure, but then our reputation would be gone and no contractors want a bunch of irresponsible plumbers whose work reflects their very own survival.

That's not the way it is in medicine

This letter to the editor where this former volunteer alleges she took a fall following a "volunteer" meeting and knocked out her front teeth, is an absolute atrocity, but it's also a warning to those who go to KVHD: IF YOU ARE HARMED YOU WILL LIKELY LOSE YOUR CASE EVEN IF IT'S SIMPLY TO REPAIR DAMAGES CAUSED BY THE HOSPITAL.

In recent years the government has tried to cap damages in medical malpractice cases. They have wanted to take away what they call the "punitive damages" which are above the costs involved in the damages.

That makes this KVHD far more scary now doesn't it?

(These are a few of the cases against the Kern Valley Healthcare District. KVHD is desperately trying to avoid these costs, as it reaches a certain point, the costs are not paid by the insurer, they will become the debt of the hospital. And again, your reminder as a resident, if you don't take action, you will be paying for the debt the hospital accrues: (see your property taxes)

Lobbying and the big one: The American Medical Association

The AMA has so much power that it's difficult to even get any help, as they have opposed everything regarding patient safety and they have their people in political offices around the nation trying to make us believe they can harm us and get away with it.

But in other probably less damaging cases lawsuits hit the millions regularly.

Now if you say something sexual to a co-worker, something that would be outside the parameters most of us use in terms of work, you could get a "sexual harassment" suit against you. Say, if your supervisor said "you would be a happier person if you got laid," this would certainly be a lawsuit that could likely pay off far more than a medical malpractice case.

If you have enough evidence, pictures, witnesses, some of those sexual harassment cases have gleaned millions of dollars.

But people who complain about doctors, negligence, treatment errors, will expect to be fought every time as these court cases are expensive to try, and even more, with the "lack of honey" for the attorneys because of the monetary caps, they are not taking these cases generally unless it involves death or birth.

KVHD won't even pay for repairs?

I've been in the claim process recently with KVHD too as I have been damaged and require specialized help. I got a few letters from the KVHD CEO, Tim McGlew, that he had contacted Betagroup, that there were investigations underway I never heard another word about any of my "personal" complaints. I have heard back from other people I sent complaints in for, but not mine.

And in this sample of the letters going back and forth between the CEO and I, McGlew after having a conference call with Jim Gutzman, himself, and me, quickly dismisses Gutzman as not being affiliated with the hospital.

From what I understand, the PA finds patients in the acute care wing and hustles them over to the clinic, his boss is a board member, the KVHD hospitalist paid by the district, and the owner of Sienna Wellness Institute, but the CEO instantly separates the PA, and suggests I speak to Dr. Gross DO. How much conflict of interest is in this situation?

A McGlew email: PROMISES

Laura,

Have you attempted to contact the Pharmacy about your medication? I’m not familiar with your concern on this matter. Drugs are available from different manufacturers. Some come with scoring lines, which make them easier to cut, and other manufacturers do not. The pharmacist could tell you better.

I’m not aware of any comments that Jim Gutzman may have made to or against you. Jim is not an employee of the hospital. He is employed by Dr. Gross. If you have concerns with Jim, I would suggest you contact Dr. Gross directly.

I have contacted Beta regarding your concerns. I will see to it that you get the medical information release form sent to you. I have also asked Dr. Sacapano to review all of your concerns regarding your ED visits in December and January.

Tim

Instead, much like the author of the letter from the former auxiliary "workforce" who says she only asked for the teeth to be repaired, has been run through the mill even though she defended these people for many years, now she is doing a good job of defending herself.

(Like I warn you all: one day you're the good guy because you are a believer in the KVHD propaganda, and then suddenly you need them, and they are long gone.)

If it's true that Tim McGlew offered this woman repairs to her teeth, but expects a discount from the dentist to do it, then...you people holding these huge bills from KVHD may want to get your discount too!

We can't do it alone

I have been hammered by KVHD, others have died, some are abused, many are defamed, and yet the community does not know what to do. In the letter to the editor, the person damaged said she felt, "humiliated" she has been jumping through hoops, doing everything possible.

The reason the only way to get this hospital under control or simply lease or sell it, is like the lions and the wildebeest out on the Serengeti , the big cats isolate one target and go after it, while the rest of the pack runs off taking cover within the group.

Now the lions cannot take on a whole group of sharply horned, and frightened animals. And sometimes you will see the pack run off the lions as it's all about the numbers.

The comments under the letter to the editor were from people who obviously would turn on their own kind...cannibals. They don't want to "get involved" or "look bad" which they already do. Kudos to the author for defending her actions which only the courageous can do.

I'm researching some information that I have shared with only a few people right now, that may make you feel more powerful come next week.

With a Kern County Superior Court civil claims department showing a growing number of cases being brought against the district, it is time to realize that only way to rid ourselves of the current administrators and board members who have not lived up to their "oaths" to represent the people of this district, is to come together.

I will share with you more options next week, and before you take a single step into the KVHD ER, know that you should never be there alone, and you should take notes, take down names, try to get them to give you ALL your records and tests, demand a diagnosis, alert your primary care physician, or do the best thing: STAY SAFE AND GO TO ANY HOSPITAL OTHER THAN KVHD UNTIL THE COMMUNITY WORKS TOGETHER TO CORRECT THESE PROBLEMS.

We need volunteers

For those of us whose health has suffered due to the negligence of this hospital, and it's insurer, Cal Mtg. who has swept away the money for the future, the people who have had billing issues, those who have not received medical records in a timely fashion or at all, communication with primary and ER, late prescriptions, fraudulent billing, it's time to volunteer to send out flyers.

The research now becomes how many people have suffered, and if we come together, we DO have options. Please email me and I will send you the flyers and an information packet on your patient's rights. Thank you ahead of time.

Letter to the editor: http://www.kvsun.com/articles/2011/09/03/opinion/letters/doc4e5d33eb7babd587688931.txt

Kern County Superior Court: KVHD cases growing...

http://www.kern.courts.ca.gov/home.aspx

Poison out of control: Poison control and KVHD

2011-08-29T03:23:00.000-07:00

Danger Will Robinson, Danger!

As I skirted past the communication problems with the Kern Valley Healthcare District in a previous post, making light of the fact that the ER wrote in a report they were "looking" for my appendix, which I say again, was removed when I was 12, I was only trying to digest what I only recently learned about my "incident" at the ER in January.

There's nothing funny or light about what has happened to people in this ER, and I will explain exactly what went wrong in my case.

But I didn't know about it until two weeks ago about this cardiac condition.

It's called Bradycardia

What you maybe able to see in this picture above is an EKG from the ER at KVHD, the heart rate is 45 beats per minute. For those of us unfamiliar with heart rates, the medical profession considers a heart rate of 60 and lower to be "Bradycardic," meaning the heart is not pumping the juice fast enough.

Generally, when people are diagnosed with bradycardia, according to a wide variety of websites, the next step is a trip to the cardiologist and likely a pacemaker, unless it can be directly linked to an acute drug overdose.

The relation of this picture to my case is that this picture of the EKG, was that it is from November of 2010.

I got the news a little late don't you think?

My "9/11" occurred on 1/20/11 when I arrived at the KVHD ER with my dog in the car as I had palpitations and weakness, and though I regularly tried to get help for my gastric problems which were becoming so severe as I could not get the ER doctors or even my own PA to take the situation with some immediacy.

There's not a day that passes that I wish I had not gone there that morning, but the point is we take tests and then we don't get results or we get a missed signal that could have halted a mistake or treated an underlying issue.

There's a scratch in our record keeping

Why didn't my doctor know I had Bradycardia and why did the hospital who knew and I didn't, never even make a diagnosis, when you can see my pulse was much the same as it was on 1/20. I also had a second event, or at least noticed event that was so bizarre I can't believe it.

I fell in my room, fainted I would say, as I had been weak and sick for a couple of months. It also made no sense that I was sleeping as much as I was during this time, as I'm an insomniac. My neighbor was actually entertaining my dog as I slept the days away.

It would have been nice to know that I had a problem, and the tests that were paid for again, were of no use whatsoever. Those test were for nothing but a path that was never followed up on and not by me, as I notified and made complaints all during this time frame.

Nothing has been followed up on

I'm in a new place and a new time, with different conditions to wrestle with, and it's because I came home from fainting at the hospital, the diagnosis was a "panic attack and pain of unknown etiology." There is an EKG again with Bradycardic symtptoms, yet nothing is done, or said about it.

Again we the insurance of the government of the United States paid for a useless test I was never advised of nor was I treated for. And now it's nine months later and the insurance is paying away as I have had to take this all on myself, outside the valley.

Does the government know about what happened to me and others I know of directly, are my numbers part of a "quality control" system for this Critical Access Hospital, how they are doing in terms of actually "healing" patients and not making patients out of people who were well or even better before they entered the KVHD death trap?

No, and that's why you and your friends should stop relying on the figures out there regarding medications, hospitals, doctors as you know nothing until you see them close up, what they are really about.

The Jaguar program

I don't think KVHD could have been more clear than they were last year when they gave the CEO a raise, froze the raises or increases for the "regular" employees, and asked the community to bail them out of bad decisions financially all at the same meeting.

It's very clear this is like Dr. John Owens, OBGYN, in Bakersfield told me in regards to his former visits to the valley to keep us from having to travel, he said, " it's like a third world country up there, so I'm doing what I can to help."

Sounds like an honest approach, but not one generally found around the feeding dish we call KVHD.

I'm sure Owens made nothing coming up here and there are others that have been overextended two of which are leaving, and another one is suing the hospital.

Is this the kind of company we want to trust with our "health" or future as Dr. Gross again, I must say, makes a point.

I trusted KVHD and I've trusted the medical profession, and I am dealing with them in the best manner possible at this juncture. My feelings are more of disappointment in the people who actually would mix my politics and medicine.

In fact, I asked that question only a couple months before this whole drama began, and I was told with a certain "how dare you even question me" response that it would never happen.

But suddenly it's an emergency call poison control

I imagine that everyone who has been hooked on pain management has a story or two to tell, but this is not a story that should have happened, and the outcome was damage.

The point of pain management which is not being met in my opinion, is to educate the patient to monitor their own pain relief, as the only real antidotes to certain pain is opiate related. There are contracts a patient will sign in order to receive these medications from a "specialist" in pain.

On my records I gave KVHD the name and number of the doctor, Ashok Parmar, of Bakersfield, as the ER was blaming the drugs which I had taken for a year with no adverse effects, then had only taken a sample of the new drug, and had seen this doctor the day before.

Now suddenly my heart rate becomes an emergency. If that is the case, then it was emergent on November, 11, and December 25th, as my heart rate was the same and I was not using that medication.

No call is made to my doctor, but poison control, which I have had to break up into several videos below, is the first call Dr. Martin makes in his attempt to treat this two month old emergency.

He also does not offer the full information which are on the records, as he then has no problem admitting there's a history of bradycardia, but why are we treating it as a poison control issue suddenly?

I would have like to have known about this, I think it would have been best explored at a cardiologists office and also with the endocrinologist and rheumtologist.

We all have paid for this service, and due to the maltreatment and misuse of a drug known to cause serious side effects, called Narcan, or generically, Naxolene, the costs are skyrocketing.

They don't use it much except on overdosing heroin addicts, though it has other therapeutic uses, it's commonly administered routinely in the back of an ambulance. And the nurse who administered the drug to me, my best guess, is he hadn't done it in a long time or ever.

If only it was a paramedic

The drug was put directly into my vein, it was not dripped in a bag at a low dose to deal with a long acting medication, as the Narcan lasts only about 45 minutes. It would have to be slowly infused easily and gently if the person is awake and treating pain, but if someone is turning blue it goes up the pipe and many a successful heroin addict has his story I'm sure.

The nurse would have to had regular experience with this drug to know that when he ran to get more pain medication that he would be giving it to me while the anti-opiate was still working, thereby making that pain even more intolerable.

I don't know how much Narcan is used at the hospital, it could be a good question, but I don't imagine they have a tremendous use, therefore the nurse was as confused as he seemed to me to be as he was putting this in my vein and not the bag.

(Pictured above is my final EKG as I was released from San Joaquin hospital with a 30 beats per minute pulse, which is lower than the pulse I had when I entered KVHD four days earlier. I guess I was a walking emergency)

The second issue that has cropped up for me is the tape of poison control and the discussion with the hospital. I do think they had a problem getting correct information from Dr. Martin who openly told them I come in a lot for and take a lot of "drugs." On the record from the two times I saw him regarding what has now finally been treated and is a hiatal hernia, a hole in your gut, he gave scant history. He gave incorrect history his own records refute.

What happens when a doctor asks poison control whether or not they should admit a patient? I don't know how it happened, but I knew somehow that poison control would have a record, and upon hitting the welcome sunlight of the day leaving San Joaquin, I went straight home to my computer.

You see nobody told me anything. From here to Bakersfield and back, I didn't know what had happened to me and why I would be in the shape I was now in. It was like the date rape drug, I was in and out of it, and transferred with nobody in my family notified, my friends were on the list and all they got were death threats once I arrived home. (Post and recording of death threats below somewhere on here)

Oh, the government will protect you

I looked up the Narcan, then called the FDA, as I was never told about the bradycardia from November and December, therefore, I assumed they were treating the drug I was trying, a once a day, called Exagol. That's what I told the FDA as I assumed something had gone very wrong.

But then I remembered hearing the phone call, as I had a migraine and could hear a pin drop and Dr. Martin was talking to poison control. I made a few inquiries and found them, though they don't want to deal with this situation, (more in a moment), I called them and wrote to them.

I ended up with the tape you will hear below, if it works.

By the way there are certain "apps" you require to see the video on an Iphone and such. So, to see these videos you will need a computer and speakers as well.

But when I heard it finally trying to edit it, I really began to hear it. I really began to hear the things that had happened that have left me damaged for months.

It could be you, it could be anyone in this town, and albeit odd to have to write first person this is my story, I did complain, I will continue to complain, I will also add to this story, as it effects my ability to do many things. I know my story telling has taken a dive, but give me a chance and I'll make sure you won't be disappointed.

These are slightly out of order...consider this blog still under construction, if there are any problem listening to the tapes, I'll be pulling some quotes, but the best way to experience this nightmare is to hear it....

"Ape shit" "Ballastic" and "crazy": The KVHD medical record glossary....Part One: Dr. Martin getting poison control to do his job.

Part two, we hear Dr. Martin flat out give incorrect information to the the poison control operator. Martin is heard saying, "she was in a week ago," (no I wasn't). If anyone can make sense of Dr. Martin write to me and I'll add your comments to the responses I've already received.

Again, a "top notch" doctor such as Dr. Martin who I had to complain to the hospital, told me he didn't believe in "white blood cell tests." Then I assume he believes in only the tests that he wants to, or he isn't making any sense. In fact, they didn't seem to believe in Bradycardia either, but rather, they did believe in making monkeys out of a large organization called Poison Control.

I am not completely researched yet, but it seems Dr. Martin asked Poison control if they should admit me even if the heart rate returns to normal. Now Cathy Marquart doesn't even know that she's talking to a doctor and even asks with a serious tone if Martin is a "doctor." But Poison control is giving the ORDERS....based on Martin's confused tale of my health.

Then Poison control called back to see how everything went after speaking to the "doctor" earlier, and the nurse who administered the Narcan without telling me, admits to them that the Narcan didn't go so well...we had to give her more drugs...she went "ballistic" which was the term used in my records. Now what does it mean when a patient in hospital is written as "ballistic?" It means she was under "stress."

ER Director, Dr. Sacapano, receives the final phone call from Poison Control. At this point there may have "been a mistake" as there's a line in the transcript where Sacapano admits the problem isn't coming from the medication...What, why it was an emergency?

Next up: No help? How to stake your claim....with the rest of the community...It's a problem for us all to solve.

Why the Lake Isabella Community lacks vital information on local hospital: KVHD

2011-08-26T00:35:00.000-07:00

Special meeting on KVHD strategic planning...What does the local media plan to say? Another product review from the Kern River Valley....

Local reporter, for the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper, Sue Barr, showed up last year at a "special" Kern Valley Healthcare District board meeting during the heat of August leading up to the hospital's caper to obtain a tax payer bail out on their debt with a GOB called "Measure G."

Today, the district is threatening to unveil it's strategic plan at another special meeting in August, coincidentally, as the board selected a company to do another in a series of reports that are meant to offer new and improved ideas to the hospital which has been in default on its lingering debt.

Due to the fact that nobody from the Sun ever shows up for these special meetings, last year I knew instantly that Barr was attending to report on the board vote for the tax measure and it had to be expected to pass to bring her there.

My best guess is that Barr likely knew the agenda behind the agenda, that the board was huddling together to put a tax hike on the ballot.

Barr, spent much time around the water cooler as information such as knowledge of the real costs, the potential negative impact, were being batted around by the board, and it's bond sales company, Caldwell, Flores and Winters.

Where did the story go?

None of the information ended up in the newspaper as many key elements needed to make a decision by voters were left out of the weekly tabloid.

Though the information included such issues as potential loss of administrative jobs as Beedle spoke of debt insurer Cal Mtg. who was waiting in the wings for a 20 million dollar GOB promised by the hospital, again, none of this was published anywhere else but on this blog.

Nobody except the small audience and participants knew the board and administration tried to get the bond quietly on the ballot in private but due to inflammation of the joint powers, (KVHD and Cal Mtg.) it failed at this meeting too and they had to drag their bond in front of the concerned community at a "regular board meeting."

But I bet you didn't know that.

How do you get your information?

When I wrote for the Kern Valley Sun many years ago, I realized the importance of having local oversight in the form of a "news"paper. There is another newspaper in town, the "Kern River Courier" but they have had little to do with the hospital in terms of news, but they did accept complimentary materials and advertising.

In truth, the Courier did not want to take letters to the editor for a period of time if they were about the hospital. It's too bad, but recently they published a nice piece on the hospital accomplishments. Due to the lack of understanding that these are basically paid PR pieces that show up occasionally, again you get no real workable information.

People used to care...

I observed the participation, and criticism, of local readers and it made it seem promising that the community cared about it's newspaper and the information it put out.

That is no longer the case.

Likely the Sun will show up for this strategic "event" today, as they covered a bit of it already, but what they never talked about and never showed up for, was the meeting with attorney, David Weinstein.

Shunning the free advice

Here we had in our corner for three hours an attorney who was willing to explain to an uninformed public about the various options the hospital has as it is up against the wall financially.

There was no reporter from the Sun, the moon or the stars at this presentation, only a few gathered in the audience know what was said during that meeting. And of course, there's the audio tape I listened to with perked ears.

One particular moment captured was the question of whether this attorney and his firm, would be a match for the "big guys" at Cal Mtg.

Well, Cal Mtg. has an array of defenses and probably a list of justifications hanging on the fridge in the lunch room, but what they don't want is visibility. They are a company which is off the radar for the average community member, and they are also something of a used car dealership in they sell to anyone, but under what terms?

There's a very timely loan situation which took place in between the vote to bring in David Weinstein for an informational gathering, and the sudden seven million coming from yet another deal with Cal Mtg. Weinstein's visit was put off several times, while the loan papers were in the oven, and once that was accomplished Weinstein finally made the trip to the valley.

At this point the information or analysis of hospital financial standing, was different as this loan went through prior to his arrival.

What would he have said had the hospital told him, we don't know what to do with our current situation and we would like to get out from under Cal Mtg.'s program? You see the board and administrators are working for Cal mtg. and the interests of that agency and the conflict of interest with this valley, the keeper of the debt.

It's our debt when it's said and done. When we vote in board members for the hospital we, the voter, resident, expect they will be working for us, just as any political position, senate, congress, etc.

And when the elected board doesn't follow thru on their promises, or are found to be inept, this is when the news becomes so important as people need some cold, hard information. .

Since our media are paid directly by KVHD in terms of advertising, it will be no surprise to see a story pop up on the strategic planning meeting which took place this afternoon. As long as it is positive...

Scott Costa, shown above covering a recent meeting, also known on this blog as "Smooth News" is your other option for news and information on the only radio station covering this community.

Costa came on the information wagon with sparse supplies of hospital history, but did owe the community some research into the hospital, but there was some conflict there as board member, Bob Jamison, shown above in front of Sue Barr, is the engineer for the radio station.

Most of his reports I caught, anyway, were always modestly inaccurate as well as missing most of the major issues the community would need to understand to allow them to decide whether or not to use the healthcare services provided by KVHD...or even to pay more property taxes.

Sadly, during the election results, Smooth News reported that the bond measure passed due to his lack of knowledge regarding the 2/3 vote needed for general obligation bonds.

For several weeks people thought the bond had won. They even wrote me to say how sad it was that the hospital won the bond. I told them that there was an errant report on the radio causing the confusion.

That in and of itself tells the tale of how important it is to have a good source of information such as now that we face some serious issues at the hospital, it's failing rural health clinic, the lawsuits, the quizzical new loan with Cal Mtg. as well as even potential collapse.

Where was the last article?

Noticeably missing from the last meeting at KVHD in the beginning of August, was a story about how board members were served involving the lawsuit being brought about by former employee, Surgeon, Dr. Kent Skoegerson.

According to an audience member, there was a request to hear the nature of the lawsuits, and acquire paperwork associated with it.

Follow the crumbs to the truth about what is happening with this surgeon and his former employer, because you won't find it in the KV Sun or broadcast on the radio.

Two thumbs down

Yes, the Sun can attack private citizens with their police reports and ultra zoom pictures of defendants right smack on the front of the paper, but they won't be doing that to their advertisers. This is what I have observed in terms of my regular media review.

If you hear about this special meeting in the paper or on the radio, you will likely hear what the hospital wants us to hear...like I said, advertising dollars are opinions of their own...

How strategic will it be: KVHD special meeting

2011-08-25T02:22:00.000-07:00

Strategic specialist needs special board meeting

The Kern Valley Healthcare District "strategic plan" will be revealed this afternoon August 25th at 3 pm in the director's conference room at the hospital where board members will take action on the analysis recently completed by Michael Philps and company.

After 22 years of costs and meetings to try and bring the healthcare district out of its debt and into a brighter future, another in a long line of reports will be unveiled today. This one will be interesting as the district recently had a report completed/started last year done by another company, HFS, who was invited in to manage the district's default on it's debt.

Though HFS was brow beaten by Chet Beedle, KVHD CFO, and Dr. Robert Gross, board member, they still completed a financial analysis for the district. The CFO and board member were not impressed, and told the community there were "giant holes" in their report.

Though HFS pursued a more urgent analysis, this report is called a "strategic plan" which is slightly different but still covers many of the components addressed by HFS last year as the district slid into a deep default with debt insurer, Cal Mtg.

With several reports lying around on table tops and in folders in my house, it will be interesting to compare these previous strategic plans and financial outlook reports to this latest one about to come out of the "crackerjack" box.

What is the prize that makes this report different from the other reports? Planning or really goal setting, projecting future costs, and educating your board members on how to even implement new ideas, has been done before, again and again and again...

Actually, I take that back, open planning has it's place in any business, watching market trends, following technology, "finding government grants for projects," (they failed sorely there, as ARRA monies were dis-missed and excuses made while the district opted for a tax increase instead: gambled and lost): but the hospital has never followed through on it's obligations created in these reports.

Philps said he cannot guarantee the board and administration will actually utilize the information he collected, as the company does not have an on-going contract, but he has recommended that the issues he has outlined be addressed at every board meeting. (He might want to stay around a little longer and hold the board's hands as they figure out how to actually implement these ideas not just pay for them)

After nine months of waiting for the results of this new strategic plan, board members will be gathered this afternoon to take action on the report, which is merely a vote.

If I were to put together a strategic plan, my first idea would be "not to pay for anymore strategic plans" and get the board members into a classroom so they can be of use, not just used.

As the question always is with KVHD, will they and even "can they" follow through, and will the information contained in the plan be new or unique, or will we still be hearing the same ideas bandied around for two decades?

(Now if number one on this report is a "GOB" or tax rate increase, we will know, it's the same thing, just another day. )

Special meeting (why?) today at 3 pm..."Planning our future: who should we trust?" (I gave the meeting that title as board member, Dr. Robert Gross, DO, raised that very question while sullying the reputation of HFS)

Medical records, test results, refills of prescriptions, billing: Where are our records KVHD?

2011-08-17T08:33:00.000-07:00

Most people I talk to who are caught in the healthcare system due to chronic illness or even longer than expected healing times, will tell you that the standard routine is all about making appointments for care, testing, filling prescriptions, and paying the bill.

But in the last few months I have collected a number of stories from patients within the Kern Valley healthcare district who complain all of these basic needs are not being met.

Last year I had to be the one to find out that the radiology department was seemingly holding on to records and they were not being sent out in a timely fashion as the new CEO, Tim McGlew, had only recently reported the successful transition to Truxtun Radiology and how well everything was going.

Taking a test is useless if your doctor or you do not know the results.

I had a cold, a summer cold, and for whatever reason I was sent for an x-ray at the KVHD radiology department to look in on my lungs for possible pneumonia which would fetch more money than a simple dose of over the counter Benadryl.

Not wanting to disappoint my doctor as he had spent those few seconds scribbling down the test request, I went and had the test done.

My doctor told me I would have the results the following day. Tim McGlew told the community that results would be quicker or actually "were" quicker with the new radiology contractor.

I hacked and coughed for a week and then realized I had heard nothing from the doctor on my test results. Not that I thought I had something horrible other than a cold, but since we spent the government's Medicare money to run the tests, I thought I might like to know the results.

At first, I assumed they would call me if there was a problem, then I questioned that logic as I have never seen that sort of fastidious care thus far, so I called.

Suddenly, everyone was looking for my x-ray and even the hospital which did the test, had to spend time in the search for test results.

When they arrived, I was informed that they DO NOT have one day x-ray service outside of the ER.

This was a minor error

In this case I was correct I had a cold, and the insurance paid money to find this out. But in other situations that have come to my attention, this problem is not only irritating but possibly dangerous. (Not possibly, I'm a textbook case right now)

This single mother had many tests run as she had been sick with gastric problems for what she claims is four years. The insurance again paid for all of this and the tests have been run multiple times, but the communication between all the parties, doctors, referrals, test results, were never able to come together.

After four years, she has a surgery scheduled that could have been potentially treated with medication in the early stages, but now has reached a point where more money is out the door, to bring in the surgery portion of the story.

She could have had complications, the risks are now growing, along with the bill.

The problem is one that can harm a person to the point of death, though unlikely, but it is a great big light bulb for those in the industry to consider more closely.

I called it in

You will hear that phrase regularly as those of us who have to regularly gather our medications often have to hunt down our doctors.

The doctor writes the prescriptions and you read on the back that you must take it a certain way and not stop without contacting the doctor as there might be some curious side effects: such as your blood pressure skyrocketing or your heart beat nose diving.

A main complaint I have gathered and experienced is the last dose effect. If you're not all together such as myself, and have no ability to organize, you find yourself down to the last pill at 10 pm and you can't find a pharmacy less than an hour away.

And you forgot there are no refills. In this area this can become a big problem and though I often call and scare the poor pharmacy techs I manage mostly to keep the medications going. But there are people who have lost insurance or changed insurance or don't have a generic, are caught in the KRV prescription trap.

I've seen people think they can stop something and suddenly find they are sick again, and we again pay for that mistake.

Sometimes small mistakes become big

The hospital knows it has communication problems even within it's own doors, five feet away, or whispered in their ears, they are not hearing with any acuity.

Why should we pay for this business when it is not working and therefore unsafe? I'm sure the hospital would love to have a great big GOB of 20 million to talk about how the problem is they have no money: the problem is they think they have no other problems.

Yes, they have money problems due to imprudent spending, just like their biggest brother, the federal government, but they also have let down their patients and put people in danger.

The federal government has a problem in that they are supposed to pay for all the mistakes made by their little bothers, such as KVHD, a public healthcare district, with elected board members.

Imagine the exponential effect of all the hospital's taking Mediare and Medicaid adding just a few tests or visits on the bill.

For instance, I found out over the weekend (many things) but one of which is that I have been getting pregnancy tests. I know about the birds and the bees, but I also know I had a hysterectomy.

Why doesn't KVHD know that?

They were also recently looking for my appendix which is probably decayed by now as it was removed when I was 12.

Paid for by the Government against waste and fraud....

Remember when I said I knew it was a cold?

I know myself and I'm sure most people feel that way, as I said I knew last year when I was getting a cold that it was a cold. I didn't think I was dying, I was uncomfortable, and my nose plugged, but I knew.

Now when I say making a small mistake can be larger than you first imagined, picture this: I have been seen for a cardiac problem twice detected by KVHD ER staff and equipment, and it was never reported to me.

I have to make a quick phone call as my emergent condition 10 months ago was only uncovered in the past few days...make sense? No, it sure as heck doesn't.

More soon, including the poison control tape you must hear....

A message from Laura Hart

2011-08-11T09:47:00.000-07:00

From the human side

There are a few things I want to share with you that have changed my thinking over the course of the last few days.

It's out of the ordinary for me to do this, but I am interested in trying to communicate my message in the most precise manner when I write the articles for the blog, but now I have some personal things to say, which I need to say.

I've written about my recent healthcare nightmare at the Kern Valley Healthcare District Hospital ER, which has left me struggling daily to do the simplest of tasks. I didn't, however, expect to be struggling to write. But I am.

Some of the posts you will see beginning at the end of January 2011, were meant at that time to tell the story of what happened to me, contemporaneously, so there would be a record of the events. I cringed as I looked back over the materials I put up during this duration, but it is the truth for me, and that is why I am leaving them up.

But there are other things I do want to retract

I am not afraid of making mistakes, because I use "pencil" and correct them. And failure can be a friend if you listen to the lesson, so I am perking my ears up daily. Had Thomas Edison thrown out the light bulb because someone told him he was "crazy" we wouldn't be having this simple communication right now.

My main goal with this KVHD investigation has always been the safety of patients at this hospital and the removal of all people and things that keep this from coming to fruition.

Recently though, I have begun to recognize that my method has lead to some mistakes and hurt feelings. That was not part of the goal.

As the military calls it, "friendly fire."

I ran into a young paramedic when I went to dinner with a friend recently. She was one of the paramedics who was on my deck after I had passed out from a stroke related to a head injury I had on the side of a bath tub in December of 2007.

After a week of thinking about it, I am not happy with myself in the way I reacted to her. As I swung open the door to the restaurant, I looked around and saw her sitting there. She saw me too, and made a smirk.

Before I knew it, I said something to her about the way she handled the situation that day on my deck, but my mockery was not nice. I regret that. And I know I could have done something better like simply tell her I was not okay with her behavior that day, and then explain why.

When I sat down at the table, my friend asked me if I was okay, as my chest was pounding, my face red, and my eyes steeled. I said, "honestly no, I'm not okay."

I was having a reaction to the image of past events and I did not handle it the way I wish I had. There are those who do deserve a good round of truth, but this was not the way I normally handle young people. I usually can decide what is important to address and how to address it in a fashion that is understood.

Lately that polite talent has been difficult.

Then the hospital

After reflecting about that situation for a week, I began to realize I had said things I would likely not have said prior to my 9/11 at the hospital.

On Sunday, after getting my daily ICEE, my dog and I were heading home, when I suddenly wanted to stop by the hospital. I drove my car into the Rural Health Clinic parking lot and sat there looking at both buildings...and wondering what happened to me in the past eight years here.

I stared down at the ER, I simply couldn't take my eyes off of it. I felt fear which surprised me. The memories started flooding my mind about not just the recent past, but the past six years.

Out of the blue, I suddenly wanted to talk to somebody I have known since I came to this valley. Somebody I realize I trust. But I had hurt this person and I didn't know if I would be able to talk about it and make amends.

But I got the courage up to make the call and I'm very glad I did. I was not wrong, this was a person I could trust, and a person who does care, always did. And this person was straight up with me, which is what I expect and respect.

Taking a chance on people after what has happened at the hospital in the last few years, is a struggle for me, I prefer to stay within the security of my friends and family, but I realize if I'm to survive or even gain anything from this, I have to be willing to take a risk to trust again.

Thankfully, what happened was like good cardiology: it helped my heart. And I have implemented a few safeguards in my life to try and become more cognizant about my words which have sometimes caught certain people in the crossfire.

The beat goes on

I have used rhetoric, hyperbole, satire, sarcasm, logic, and video to take on Goliath and I still have not been able to make my case properly so that there is some true justice for those who truly deserve it.

The blog is going video for your information and illumination. You are about to hear and see some of what I saved for a rainy day.

Get out your umbrellas...by gosh it's pouring out there.

Broken news: KVHD elder abuse trial set back until March

2011-08-09T13:35:00.000-07:00

Kern County Superior Court case #BF 126665 ACD

"Do you know what the case number is," the clerk at the Kern County Superior court "Felony Department," asked me earlier today when I called to find out why there's a new trial date in the Kern Valley Healthcare District elder abuse case.

I rattled off the familiar number above because this case has been on-going, with the three defendants changing lawyers every other month, until now it boils down to public defenders and a new court date.

The elder abuse trial was set for September, though the calendar has a lot of "white out" on it now, it has recently been stretched out until March of 2012, as defendant, and former Kern Valley Healthcare District, CEO, Pamela Ott, changed attorneys.

According to the Superior court clerk, the reason posted in the minutes, was that Ott's new attorney and also a public defender, Brian McNamara, needed more time to go over what she called, "extensive discovery..." even though McNamara is yet to be cited as Ott's attorney.

With this trial like a cloud over the Lake Isabella community, maybe even defining the rural healthcare system in the region forever, there are now seven months for Mr. McNamara to pick thru the evidence, but what will the new California Attorney General, Kamala Harris, be doing during the lull?

This was Jerry's case

On the campaign trail, Jerry Brown, and Kamala Harris showed up in Bakersfield just days before the election last year. Harris is pictured at the left next to the now Governor, Jerry Brown, who brought the justice department into our mountain community in 2007, taking away a few defendants on elder abuse charges, but leaving behind many who participated in the cover up at the financially failing rural hospital.

I have been watching the cases that Harris has taken interest in since she stepped into Brown's shoes this year, and his boots went a walking into the Governors mansion leaving behind a case that simply doesn't go away. Why?

A situation that involves more than just the abuse, which is enough, to some degree in my opinion, but leaving behind the actual issues and administrators which allowed this foul soup to continue to simmer, really doesn't serve the purpose that is intended to stop the chance of it happening again.

Yes, it's a big case, bigger yet than the DOJ ever imagined in that they have not even touched upon the issues that have occurred with a California insurer, Cal Mtg.

One of their own?

Two years ago nobody here in this valley, employees and residents included, knew of the debt that is attached to their property taxes and insured by Cal Mtg.

Now Cal Mtg. is a well known name and those who want to seem as if they know of something, often mention Cal Mtg. as the villain in the downfall of the hospital over the last 20 years.

Cal Mtg. has actually taken over the hospital at points of default, but they have also tried vigorously to get the community to spend a "latte's worth of money" monthly to pay off the debt and potentially go into more construction projects which is why the hospital is flat broke in the first place: they couldn't oversee to complete the expansion.

I am unsure of what agency handles the oversight at Cal Mtg. but it is something to look into as they have an interesting history which includes taking all of their premium on a 30 year contract, during an emergency measure of refinancing the "revenue" or municipal capital improvement bonds, done by CFO, Chet Beedle in 2003 when the state had it's worst credit rating in years.

Cal Mtg. was either duped by a dump like KVHD or they didn't understand that the hospital has been not only imprudent, but ignorant in it's financial spending. Board members with little knowledge or experience have voted in things they don't even study. The rubberstamp it's called when a board simply relies on it's chief administrator and privately contracted legal counsel to make a decision is too common here.

I don't know the reason that this hospital was not shaken down so that the possibility of restoring it would be available if new oversight was put in place.

Is it justice to simply take away a few people and not the whole group who bred the problems that lead to this type of situation? And then to almost leave behind the leader, head administrator, Pam Ott, who had full knowledge as well as control as her title implied?

But then so did her HR department manager hiring and firing, and her CFO could not have missed the projections of costs, while they were short staffed? Could he?

Ott's relationship with certain board members gave her quorum, therefore cover, and employees who had knowledge was also significant, and especially as scapegoats were made of innocent employees who tried to help expose the mess.

Or would it have been better to simply do all that is necessary to protect the safety of the patients, remove all the infection, do the investigation, so the hospital has a chance to heal?

Well, I have some questions for Kamala Harris, as her PR department doesn't know much about this hidden thorn, that has damaged so many lives, not only the sad treatment of elderly patients and their families, but the ability to function properly financially and offering safe and fair healthcare to the community.

So, at this time, the KVHD/Jerry Brown, elder abuse case is now in the hands of new leader, Kamala Harris, and has been pushed to March of 2012 as all the defendants have had to change attorneys, and these same people are using public defenders, though two are in private practice, due to conflict of interest.

Also coming up: the next generation of law suits and trials from the Kern Valley Healthcare District...Go to the Kern county Superior court site and click on the tab "Civil" enter dates from 2003 to present to find the list of cases now filed in court.

http://www.co.kern.ca.us/courts/crimcal/crim_index_case_num_results.asp

Update soon: What does the DOJ have to say? And why do doctors and CEO's use public defenders?

The story behind the KVHD blog picture: Board Blanket Bingo

2011-08-08T12:00:00.000-07:00

The Brown Act: When caught on the spot, stand and stare...

Kern Valley Healthcare District Board member, and my mentor (explanation later) Robert Jamison, looks a bit piqued as my camera filmed a Brown Act violation that followed a highly contentious meeting last July regarding the hospital's pitiful attempt to have the community pay for the financial maladies ailing the healthcare district with a property tax hike: Measure G.

During this quickly assembled "special meeting" generally unattended by community members and reporters, it was evident the supporters wanted some privacy to put the measure on the election ballot away from the general board meeting where they would push thru a CEO raise and freeze the salaries of employees, while asking the community for it's money.

After this contentious meeting, I walked out without my camera in the confusion. A woman offered to go retrieve it, and when she returned, she said there are four board members in the room together.

I grabbed my camera and went back to the room, and when I opened the door to the board room, I was blocked by the administrative secretary, "Hidey Sage," with a food cart. (And can you believe I wasn't even offered a sandwich?) So, I took a few pix and went around the other door, as others slipped out, and found board members, Bob Jamison, Victoria Alwin, and Bradley Armstrong lagging behind.

As stood right in front of them, Bob Jamison, knew exactly what I had finally caught on film. Oh, there was a witness who spoke of the "sticky three" meetings, or I should say private meetings, prior to board meetings, where Jamison, and his former team, Barbara Casas, Bradley Armstrong, made their own quorum during the power struggle of 2006 and 2007.

This person spoke directly to the investigator from the county, giving details, but as I have reported and we will speak of again shortly, the Kern County Grand Jury has denied ever receiving a complaint from me and other witnesses back in 2007...when the trail was still fresh.

Had the county followed up with more than a recent glance at the hospital which resulted in the same advice: have the community pay your debt just like they did in Tehachapi...our hospitaless, bond indented neighbors...(Great ideas, why didn't anyone think of a bond, property tax increase? Oh, yeah, they did for the last 20 years. Ask anyone in Tehachapi about the taxes they pay...)

Look for the follow up: "Kern Kounty Korruption"

Complaints to the cook can be hazardous to your health: the death threats/HIPAA/medical contacts

2011-07-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

(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"

2011-07-20T13:26:00.000-07:00

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?

Dr. Kent Skoegerson or Betagroup liability: a clarification

2011-07-19T18:50:00.000-07:00

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?

Dr. Jack Nadler leaving Kern Valley Healthcare District?

2011-07-13T01:00:00.000-07:00

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.

(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...

Hey JB, JB will you fight for me, Hosana hey sana ho Superstar!

2011-06-22T18:21:00.000-07:00

Why waste your breathe moaning at the crowd, nothing can be done to stop the shouting...."Jesus Christ Superstar" by Andrew Lloyd Webber

(Jerry Brown, pictured above showing a Democratic crowd in Bakersfield exactly how much he cares about the disabled, elderly and those in need of a good education...)

Just days before the 2010 election, former California Attorney General, Jerry Brown gives a speech before a packed crowd in a pizza joint in downtown Bakersfield, next to the largest "head shop" in the city. (I'm not sure why that location other than a possible impending "bong tax")

This was election time, when Governor Brown, was making promises for change, though, we didn't know until this last week, that change for our Governor meant his own personal change.

At one time Brown came up with some dizzying ideas for change, such as removing personal taxes and replacing them with sales tax. How's that idea going? Oh, yes, no where.

During this particular election speech, (coming to Youtube soon) Brown remembered his days with Mother Theresa in India. He didn't clarify whether they just happened to be in the same country at the same time, or that he worked hand and hand, with the starving, sick and poor.

Whatever the case, he's now dropped away from his supporters in the unions, the clear need for expanded educational programs and his attitude has become one of a despot, as he has made it clear, he's the one in charge of California. (Oh, and he doesn't do dishes either)

Veto power

The democrats can't please him, the Republicans are up in arms due to threats of special elections which would only cost taxpayers more money as Brown wants the people of California to decide whether or not to tax themselves, or actually continue to tax themselves, as the "short term" tax hikes, are supposed to come to a halt this year.

What a good strategy

Instead of just saying it, "we need to continue these taxes" and getting eggs and tomatoes thrown at him, Governor Brown, has cleverly put the responsibility of continued taxes in the hands of the voters.

I suppose you could thank him for involving the people of the state in the budget, but then again, if we vote it out, he will have an excuse to cut more programs that keep some people alive, and give quality education to the children of California who will one day inherit this mess.

So, kudos Governor Brown, I say it's a brilliant plan.

Veto is so "neato"

The Governor threw out a budget that the state democrats scratched out quickly, but you and I all knew that's the plan.

Again, the pressure is on with a "budge-it" slowly coming into a political arena we may have never seen before.

This is a Governor who knows how to leverage, and the state controller is holding back the pay for the legislators until they "do their jobs."

Here is someone who is taking control of the state in a way that's not so pretty or nice even, but in a way that only Frank Sinatra could appreciate: he's doing it his way.

The veto is interesting as it allows a long time Democrat to block the move of both sides, the Republicans too. So, I predict we will see a few more vetoes before this budget is settled upon...by the Governor.

What if he can't do it

I'm old enough to remember Jerry Brown cutting out Summer School and my cousin, a young child, wrote to him and asked him to rescind the cuts as she enjoyed the program.

She recently told me the story and I asked if she ever got a response. "No, and that's why he will never get my vote." (Okay, she's almost 40 now, but she remembers, some of us do, Governor)

Now if Governor Brown had, as was his job as the state's Attorney General, really wanted to cut spending, he would have lifted another finger to look at the Kern River Valley's hospital. They are an example of failure and that is not always a bad thing.

We have to look at the failure of the Federal government, the state, and the county when it comes to imprudent spending if we are to survive this depression.

How can I trust that Governor Brown who had all the manpower of the state to cull out all the criminal and unethical activity in a small, rural, mountain hospital, which included misspending, actually squandering, but doesn't follow through?

I don't remember how many cell phones were turned off in California government offices recently, but Governor Brown can be proud that he made sure that happened.

Yet he could not handle a small hospital.

Bringing people and ideas together

One of our new Governor's promises I watch on my computer as we filmed it, is that he wanted, pre-election, of course, to bring people in to help tell him what needs to be done. People from all areas of the state were to come together so we could all assist our "superstar" in making effective changes.

Never happened. I think my name was first on the list, but I also think our "Retrocrat" was toying with us. Every move Governor Brown has made so far, is to allow one politician, himself, to usurp and monopolize the power of all the others.

He forgot KVHD

With the election behind him, and an economy that can't fill the tank so it can travel into the future, Brown missed out on opportunities to see just how a small hospital finds loopholes in it's finances, passes them out to the top tier, and ignores severe quality issues.

Simply avoiding a grievous mistake such as what our Governor did leaving a mountain community with a hospital on the brink of disaster, or just a disaster, by allowing another agency, the California Office of Statewide Planning and Development and their tumor, Cal Mtg., to financially take control seems a lot like, "collusion?"

The budget

Now, last I heard the state budget gap was around 9 billion, and I can tell you where to find some money: KVHD.

Apparently, the Kern Valley Healthcare District, had millions to spend over the past five years, and yet they are in a deep pit of denial.

In 2010, the CFO promised West America Bank that they would garner "millions" from the general obligation bond, "Measure G," and told debt insurer, Cal Mtg., that 80% of the community were supporting more taxes for the hospital.

Those overstatements lead to a line of credit which was initially said to pay off the August 2010 "old debt" payment of 800K dollars. That statement was quickly rescinded, (actually it took two months for them to come up with a ruse, but they forget they say it on video, hard to take back) and then they played dumb. (it comes easy)

This is what I don't understand

Politicians talk about doing all sorts of things, including telling the truth, but they don't follow through.

KVHD is an example of some of the most egregious financial miscalculations, fraud and abuse, so what does that make the people who are supposed to be overseeing them?

A) Criminals
B) graduates of the California educational system
C) Blind
D) inbred
E) all of the above

Answer: E

Come and get it

If there's one thing Jerry Brown said that I agree with and that is we will have reform or revolution, and the latter is looking more likely as our leaders aren't busting the "white collar gangs" rather they zero in on pot growers or certain "protestors" who not only don't parasitically drain community services, they are also part of the tax base.

White collar crime amounts to losses in billions each year, yet it has been only tepidly pursued?

I would agree with others who have tagged Brown as frugal, so how could he miss the imprudence with KVHD? This is what Brown is known for dragging out the spenders. Didn't it at least irritate his coupon clipping senses?

Where was he at KVHD when a certain CEO was being given train and plane rides, housing, along with the CFO and his long time, toll free, lair?

If Jerry Brown can reach a budget settlement that will both cut waste and promote future growth than we would have to assume he could have done that to this valley hospital. That does not bode well for any of us Californians as the hospital has been given more chances than a death row murderer...

Sierra Kings welcomes Adventist Health to Reedley in special election

2011-06-09T22:28:00.000-07:00

Voters in Reedley change the course of their hospital's future

The Reedley Exponent reports the ailing Sierra Kings Hospital which has struggled through bankruptcy since late 2008, has recovered with the help of an overwhelming majority of voters who were unified in favor of leasing the facility to Adventist Health.

The local paper reports that voters may not have come out in droves, but their minds were made up they wanted change, and the numbers speak for themselves. The Exponent reported the initial count at 2830 for the measure, and only 116, voted against the new lease agreement.

No technical information was provided in the article regarding how this will specifically change the hospital's fate, but the Exponent reported a favorable, positive response to the news by an employee and a hospital director who see a future of happy employees and pleased patients come August when Adventist Health begins to take the helm.

History lesson

The history of the Sierra Kings district is directly related to the Kern Valley Healthcare District by way of former CEO, now elder abuse charged, Pam Ott, who stepped down from her job in May of 2007, at KVHD when the nursing center almost closed and went on to become the CEO of Sierra Kings District Hospital.

When Ott was charged with elder abuse late in 2009, board members at Sierra Kings began a bankruptcy and it has been reported in the Exponent, via interim CEO, Sandy Haskins from HFS, that monies from a General Obligation bond voters had approved for hospital expansion, were possibly misused.

And it was reported that again Ott and Sierra Kings now former CFO, were allegedly able to gain access to employee pension monies. Unfortunately, because of the bankruptcy, certain employees were unable to regain their retirement funds. No charges have been filed on Ott regarding these matters as of this time.

New day for Sierra Kings

After riding out the storm as HFS, a well known and respected (though a KVHD board member made some serious complaints) healthcare financial company, often associated with ACHD, (Association of California Healthcare Districts) as their material appears on their website, worked to get the hospital to the point it may now have a chance to begin serving it's community again.

Sierra Kings, a public healthcare district similar to KVHD only in their human resources department and taste in board members, had a collective decision made by voters to allow this lease agreement to take place and allow them to continue to progress.

It's a tough time for hospitals, especially those who have been filched

We've all heard the ant and the grasshopper story, and who survived the nasty winter what and why. In an interesting article in the California Healthcare Foundation newsletter, five hospitals who were struggling attributed their continued success through strategies such as "sustained growth in patient volume," which KVHD Chet Beedle said was the key to success.

Why look at them now...they are being supported by a thrift store run by the Auxiliary which supports their ability to even afford a hospital bed or new equipment. That thrift has a "higher census" than the hospital itself. You just can't find a parking space either.

Those same Auxiliary members have done so much for the hospital that they got promoted to a voluntary workforce, costing KVHD nothing, and sometimes overstepping by putting these volunteers into jobs they should not have been doing: such as lifting patients?

The serious differences between KVHD and success

But the other two items in the article entitled "success under duress" are of more interest. "frequent and intense monitoring of expenditures and efficiency," which cannot come close to the imprudence as has been witnessed at KVHD with "time and material" contracts, use of registry and traveling nurses, paid housing, trips for management, as well as paying some of the highest rates to administrators in Kern county.

The nut and shell game that is called KVHD finance, has been problematic for not only the hospital's future which is on thin ice, as they recently acquired basically a monthly payment plan with Cal Mtg. for monies which will not sustain the district, and not produce growth necessary to have a future.

But the final strategy for success which keep these hospital's future much brighter is to divert "heavy investment in quality improvement initiatives."

Quality...qau' li' tee': Degree or grade of excellence.

For further healthcare articles go to the California Healthcare Foundation as many interesting articles can be found here.

http://www.chcf.org/publications/2010/09/success-under-duress-how-five-hospitals-thrive-despite-challenging-payer-mix

Reedley Exponent link
http://www.reedleyexponent.com/articles/2011/06/08/news/doc4deffb66a2ce1856510659.txt

KVHD thinking Bankruptcy? Surgeon feeling slighted: politics and medicine

2011-04-10T09:35:00.000-07:00

December 2, 2010 the Kern Valley healthcare District board of directors voted 3 to 2 to bring in an attorney to explore options to help the ailing district to remain in business with enough money to keep the doors open and the patients safe.

It was a fight, won by three teenage girls, who asked the board why they waited so long to take action?

After one of the most contentious meetings I have seen since Pam Ott stepped down, or actually side stepped down her responsibility for the deaths of nursing home patients and her lack of knowledge or credentials to run a hospital, in May of 2007.

However, the board vote was pushed into the future, and the attorney was called after a "deal" made with Cal Mtg. the insurance company holding the bag on the hospital's old debt, was put into motion. The deal, which basically puts the burden back on the community, only offsets, and will not help as the Medicare/Medical driven hospital, will be feeling the cold shoulder from the state and federal budget very soon. Bracing for this economic disaster should have happened long ago, as our two top, high paid managers, Tim McGlew and Chet Beedle both ignored all the signs, and ignored a warning from a professional regarding jumping in on the ARRA stimulus funds which we could have had to build, expand or Chet, even pay off some debts such as Cardinal Health which used to supply the Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy.

It's too late though

I remember Chief Financial Officer, Chester Beedle, and Dr. Robert Gross DO made a joke one meeting in 2009, about the fact they don't have a "crystal ball" to see into the future.

Well duh. Get binoculars.

Here we are in early 2011 and you're trying to tell me that none of these "professionals" or "veterans of healthcare" could see the pattern that they were going down, way down, anchored by an old debt, and in technical default after spending millions of dollars trying to hide their deficiencies or "crimes" from 2007 to 2008? Only an imprudent financial manager would allow this to happen, but this person would need help from an uninformed community, and likely in collusion with the board of directors to continue to speed ahead to the giant iceberg they are about to hit.

I saw it coming and I have a visual problem

In February of 2009, I wrote up a potential deal with Cal Mtg. the insurer of the debt, and gave it to the board, administrators and our now Senator, Jean Fuller. I saw it coming two years ago. (I feel also like reminding you that I also called out that our buddy Jerry Brown then AG, was gearing up the PR for a run at the Governors mansion six months before he announced it)

Everyone was ready to begin a turn around in a timely manner as the writing was on the wall in 2009, though Beedle denied it. Then "Assemblywoman Jean Fuller" gave me her word (the word of a politician) that she believed it was a good idea and supported the effort.

Suddenly, a cold draft came from that "master of numbers" Chet Beedle who began a round of "bullying" to keep the potential meeting from taking place.

Former CEO, Rick Carter, and Brad Armstrong joined the club against such a "premature" measure like trying to solve a problem that could eventually lead to BANKRUPTCY. Current, Chairwoman of the board, out of touch with the truth, told this community in August 2010 as they were whipping up a tax bailout,"Measure G," told the equally out of touch audience that it was the fault of Rick Carter that the 2009 meeting with Cal Mtg. was shut down.

Not exactly, isn't that right Chet?

With Chet Beedle ready to pack up his retirement and head home to Apple Valley either this year or next year, depending upon what happens in the near future both financially or maybe even an investigation that could peel off the mask hiding his fiasco that has made the Kern Valley Hospital a DANGER TO THE COMMUNITY.

Beedle, who gave me his "updated" resume back in 2007, somehow worked as a "controller" in Miami in 1974, while attending Arizona State University and Wisconsin University during that same time frame, (how he could do this would be miraculous, but I have to say it's "positively" remarkable even) blew the KVHD bank roll in 2007-2008. He told Cal Mtg. (the word "told" is key here) that Sycamore Mgt. Company who came on after Ott made a run for it, was our new "management company." They took away more than 2.5 million from this hospital. They also did not "fix" the problems in the nursing center which were extensive. Why didn't we take action to regain some of our losses? Well, it could be that Beedle and the board allowed them a "time and materials" contract. We let them walk away with two years worth of debt payments for little in return. Even a child in a rudimentary math class could see the writing on the wall. But not our boy, Chet, he kept up the ruse until now or he had something to gain.

Dr. Kent Skoegerson not too happy

Skoegerson hired on during the Ott/Beedle era along with the "sticky three" quorum, board members, Bob Jamison, Brad Armstrong, and Barbara Casas, who kept the vote going their way. With no surgeon at the time, Dr. Skoegerson, a successful doctor who had extensive background in "laproscopic surgery" and he made a good living doing "weight loss" surgeries, was ready to retire. But he came to the valley according to a notes from an article I did in 2006, to help this small community, and to enjoy the lake and his motorcycle. However, there were issues such as the fact that he was no longer a hungry, young surgeon, he was at a point where he could help, but only so much...

Dr. Gross and wife Dr. Holly Spohn-Gross

Some people don't know or were not here when the Gross couple arrived in the valley with talk of "change." The young couple wanted to make this a better district, and many people believed they were going to be the one's to do it. People of the community believed in the Gross plan to such an extent that they even loaned them money to get started. Several members of the hospital board and administration, such as Bob Jamison, Pam Ott and Chet Beedle, made promises to the couple that they would share a building and bring on new "specialists" to the valley. They also had plans for an urgent care, as Pam Ott, reported in the Kern Valley Sun articles I wrote back in 2006. The situation became worse, and lawyers were brought in as a "your word and a handshake" are not something you should count on when doing business in this valley. Gross fought the hospital but it seems we did not know what his plans were for the future.

Now a board member

Chet Beedle reports in an email on this blog, that he would not hire Dr. Gross as the "hospitalist" because he was "too expensive." (like Sycamore mgt., Tracy Brown, Aspen Street Architects, or even a PR company that did nothing, and Dr. Skoegerson?) With Gross on the board of Directors, the hospitalist for KVHD, and owner/operator of Sienna Wellness Institute, he has gained power on the inside. He even went to the extent to give his backing to David Derr, posting signs at his clinic and officially "giving" Derr his backing for a board seat. Derr was elected and now he and Gross have teamed up and did the same things done to Gross during the "dark ages" five years ago: bullying. He bullied and hurt the very people who put him in power which makes him just like the people who pushed him around a few years ago. No sympathy from this blogger, since he also vowed he would NEVER mix politics and medicine. Well, I'm here to tell you, I WAS a patient of Sienna Wellness and as far as I know he had no problem with what happened to me under the care of his clinic.

Why didn't you just tell me?

In 2007, as the hospital struggled to stay open, Gross came from a board meeting as he was only attending because he had financial and obviously personal issues, with the administration, and bumped into me afterwards. He growled, "that fucking bitch" and I surprised as I was still unaware of all they were hiding, so I asked what was going on. He chastised me for believing in Ott and her gang and stormed away leaving me standing there wondering what happened to our plan to "revive healthcare."

Gross votes out Skoegerson

While on vacation recently, Dr. Kent Skoegerson, found out his contract with the hospital was voted down, and his 90 days were enacted. Chet Beedle in an unusual stance, took the side of Skoegerson, and not "new friend" Dr. Gross. Beedle, Victoria Alwin and Bob Jamison, argued to keep the surgeon, as they had no one to replace him at this juncture. But Beedle's reasons I believe are quite different. Since Skoegerson is out there fighting, words flying from all quarters, voices calling for Dr. Gross to step down or be recalled, I can tell you that Skoegerson has some "goodies" on Mr. Beedle. We all have goodies on Beedle it's just that nobody wants to hear it and many are too afraid to speak up because they want to keep their jobs and live in the valley. But Skoegerson is a long time doctor who knows to play on the best side, right...or wrong. I have no expectation that Skoegerson will uncover the Beedle, as he was part of the original game. Personally, I had a surgery with Skoegerson and he's good. As far as his business affairs, well, that's another story I'm sure will be out in the open soon.

I can do nothing but sit back and watch

I'm sure all who know me, now know that I would be up and at them if it were possible, but as I have warned this hospital is not safe. And the doctors involved in my decline are STILL WORKING THERE. The CEO who promised to help as we have all been directed to send him our complaints, did nothing to stop what did not have to happen. So, if it didn't have to happen, then why did it? Was it on purpose Doctors? My medical information has been breached, and death threats came in the day I came home from another hospital: they were calling my medical contacts. One of those contacts is my 91 year old neighbor and WWII veteran who was told by this jerk that I was dead or dying. I had been out of touch for a week, and called him to see how he was, and he said someone called him and said I was dying. Yes, I was enraged to say the least that they called him. He served his country during an honorable war, helping veterans since that time, and the hospital let this happen. Maybe even aided and abetted the calls? Nobody got another threat for over a month after I reported this incident to the hospital and police and the FBI. However, when I received a piece of evidence indicating that a certain doctor who needs to know I will NOT forget what he did, I called the hospital to see if he was there so I could speak to him about this. Six hours after I left my message suddenly another "death threat" came in after a whole month of nothing. I called the ER, and suddenly another threat. We have recorded them and reported to the police and FBI and I want this "prick" to know if you want to threaten me, please CALL ME! I don't like cowards, and this idiot who is afraid to dial my phone, will be charged with a crime. Don't think you're safe, because you're not, AND THAT IS NOT A THREAT THAT IS A WARNING.

I get calls and sometimes answer

Sadly I've received calls from many people in the last couple months with complaints and fears of the Kern Valley Hospital. I have done all I can until I find out what is going on with me. I'm injured in every way you could hurt someone. If you've had a heart attack you will know what I felt. I was given the great sensation of dying, and pain that goes with it. They slipped me a mickey and they lied to a federal agency as they were trying to get them to agree to do something very wicked. There's no question in any of our minds that have seen/heard the evidence, both laymen and medical types, that this doctor lead the agency to give the go ahead to unleash the pain. Then they refused to tell me before they gave it and for five days nobody told me what was going on. But you realize some agencies such as Department of Public Health in Bakersfield, don't play by the rules, and this is not my first attack, that came three years ago, after a head injury that sparked a stroke and then a trauma at another hospital. DPH was getting daily letters from me back then, and then even backed out on allowing me to see the nursing home records from the KVHD investigation. My friends and I were told by "now retired" DPH employee, Linda Wilkinson, I could come down on 4/1/09. It must have been April's fool day at DPH because she simply disappeared and we NEVER got to see those records, even though by law we should have.

Making a federal case out of it

After my recent incident, I returned to find my PA at Sienna Wellness who I thought at one time a decent person, but he acted like a prejudiced practitioner with no "heart." I reached out to them for help and what I got in return was more damage. It was icing on the cake and then they would add candles as Tim McGlew and the PA in a conference call, tried to bully me. They gave me advice that was immediately refuted by the people they were trying to pawn me off on so they could slip away unnoticed. The PA made remarks that are just as "illegal" as if he made racial slurs. He said some very discriminatory remarks about me being bi-polar, one of my disabilities. He went on to be even more crass and arrogant by telling me that it's "women doctors" and "women" who prescribe in error natural type thyroid remedies. (Gee, where did he get that information is there a prejudice data bank for male PA's only?) He told the office that he was afraid to see me that I might have a gun. And he went on to talk about my "emotionally cracked condition" leading to me shooting people. I was aghast that this was being said not only in my presence, but in the company of the staff. To assuage your fears, I don't have any designs to shoot someone, in fact I'm trying to protect you right now and you don't even know it. I didn't have a gun, but I have a disability which has kept me from being able to get proper health care. However, feeling threatened I did bring something with me that day to protect myself: a tape recorder. Sienna Wellness needs to deal with the truth and not your word against mine, which has been damaged so badly that I had to get the tape so there was no question I'm not exaggerating.

Bankruptcy was not the objective

As I said in December of 2010, three teenage girls with more sense than the whole board, and the local media, told the "emperor" he had no clothes. Instead of listening to the insight of these bright, young ladies, they placated all of us with a vote they had no intention of following through on: sure bring on the attorney. No date was set, yet when it was, it was cancelled, and then word leaked out that Beedle and Mcglew had made a deal with Cal Mtg. to in debt the district with another deal: this time a strange type of loan, bail out, or whatever you want to call it. The rumors flew that the attorney was called to bankrupt the hospital, but what these gossip mongers didn't know was that he was being called to answer questions about potential actions the hospital could take to remain in operation: such as negotiation.

After all of that, they said the word: Bankruptcy

At the April board meeting that famous word that started rumors flying back in 2000, bankruptcy, has come around again. I wonder how Cal Mtg. feels about it, since they just gave KVHD their "last chance" deal? But you see that we could have handled this two years ago, obtained ARRA funds, brought on a CEO for at least 60 to 70 thousand dollars cheaper, got rid of the old guard on the board, and turned Beedle into the authorities, WE WOULD SURVIVE THIS DEPRESSION. Our chances are getting slimmer and slimmer, and complaints from patients and contractors, budget cuts, could sink this ship in less the a few months. You know what I think: Let it go...Don't bail it out which will help Chet Beedle retire happily back to Apple Valley and he can laugh his way out of this mess.

Why? Because this community played the fool for too long and now we are at the end. They bring on the attorney for what? They made the deal with Cal Mtg. and sold it to the people who don't understand the politics of healthcare. You bought it, now you live with it. That's not fair to those of us who only came here for a friendly neighbor hood doctor and healthcare to suddenly have to either pay more for less, or see it end completely. But...there are other answers, I put them on this blog. After Pam Ott was allowed to leave without handcuffs, she ruined Sierra Kings District hospital in Reedley, Ca, using money from their "supposedly protected" GOB, but even more awful, she took pension money from employees who will NEVER see their retirement money.

We did this to them, we owe Reedley money and an apology because the Kern River Valley refuses to take responsibility for it's actions. We have seen that with the hospital and the hellish High school. Nobody, not even the churches or politicians, can put humpty dumpty back together again. And unless there is a true investigation which would includes Chester N. Beedle, and piles of documents showing patterns of fraud and waste, that have lead to safety issues, cruelty to families of patients who died in the SNF, along with defamation of many different people, there will be no hospital.

Then the "Gross gang" rubbing it in, with the feeling that they will never be caught, they used all our $9000 dollars in "SHIP" monies giving it to one company for a strategic plan which I was told in an interview with "Philps" that had to be only positive in nature. (which is delusional and unrealistic, but hey they got the contract usingnthe hospitals' own grant money, which would be considered illegal as it wasn't offered to the other companies) Too little, too late, we have done a number of these plans and never has anyone, board, CEO, followed through. I asked Michael Philps how is he going to ensure that his 15,000 dollar contract will make any difference if the board doesn't follow through or even understand how to follow through? He said, that they would recommend that the board talk about strategic planning each month. Okay. But what did that expenditure do to help a hospital already lost at sea? Planning requires time and circumspection and you can't start planning for a disaster while you're in a distaster...Hello?

What's next? Is Marsha Smith going to buy the hospital too and save the valley? Is it Sunset time for the KRV?

If you ignored this blog and read the stories by the ass kissers at the Kern Valley Sun or didn't attend a KVHD meeting or didn't fill out a complaint form or didn't call the AG or OIG or DPH or the nursing board, or didn't write a "informed" letter to the editor, or call Jean Fuller or have a notion there was something wrong: then you probably won't be willing to serve your country either. We really don't need you, and you should be cut from the team/budget.

We're in trouble folks, and to hit the elderly, the children, the disabled, Education, and now our soldiers in harm's way, with all the cuts while some sit back in their recliners ignoring the responsibility of owning a democracy: what comes around goes around. No job is secure, no politican truthful, and no rural hospital worth "dying for."

Your government, your problem: An owner's manual

Blog has turned into "Hal" I can't make a paragraph

2011-04-10T09:08:00.000-07:00

I'd like to apologize for Google Blogspot, as they are so enormous now, they can't even allow me to make a paragraph...I don't like giant globs of words with no separation either. Sorry, I promise to take care of your complaints...just like the Kern Valley Healthcare District does.

You're buying a new hospital and taking out loans: did you know KRV?

2011-04-05T17:53:00.000-07:00

A letter regarding Kern Valley Healthcare Districts' newest plans to gain money long enough to get a property tax increase to pay for a 20 year old debt, a NEW loan, and a NEW hospital all by 2030. They call it a general obligation, or GOB, "gobs of money" paid for by tax payers on their property. The revenue bonds and the loan runs out in 2029, one year before the community has to build a new hospital, due to the seismic requirements from Senate Bill 1953. The hospital accelerated the depreciation on it's first round of "government type" spending practices. They have 4 more years of compensation on Medicare of 350K dollars then nothing. This new loan will add another 400K dollars, thereby containing the fire, by crossing their fingers, toes, and best friends. So, residents have a new debt, and have to pay for the new hospital mandated at this time for 2030. As you see, due to obstruction of pursuing all available options for the financial problems, it was CEO, Tim McGlew, CFO Chester Beedle, arranging plans with current insurer of the hospital's already ridiculous debt, who were the masterminds behind the set up for the GOB. Cal Mtg. makes things clear though that they will not continue to accept these shortages in payments. Time limits are set. We are relying now on the ability to make these payments if anything in this document provided by Cal Mtg. is true. In the next 18 plus years a lot could happen. Work on the dam, keeping out visitors, reduction in privately insured patients, an American revolution, we are pushing this debt and responsibility out into a very uncertain future. Even that GOB will be uncertain no matter how many strategic planning companies they hire or bond companies peddle the idea. But the whole issue is clear, this forces the community to pay the old debt, the new loan, and a new hospital all by 2030 or be missing that famous, infamous building. (I'm sure it will be fine as a good many of us won't be around to deny responsibility for passing our debt to the future residents...it's history and people in these here parts don't like talkin' history, the only benefit would be not making the same mistakes repeatedly) We have not only spent our children's inheritance, but we have left them with our mess to clean up and our debts to pay. This new deal was just a way to force a GOB down our throats. We may see the hospital jump on our old friend Jerry Brown's "special election" just for the heck of it, maybe they could get the bond money. They say it's safe, nobody can get into those funds, except former CEO, Pam Ott, who has yet to be charged for that crime at Sierra Kings district hospital. I think JB is right, there will be anarchy, and it started a long time ago, at a place called the Kern Valley Hospital. "We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them-Albert Einstein.

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

2011-02-21T22:33:00.000-08:00

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

Constitutional rights: we have none or so they say

2011-02-10T23:30:00.000-08:00

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.

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

2011-02-09T12:00:00.000-08:00

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!