After the Kern Valley Healthcare District called for their own "special" board meeting on Wednesday, the day after former CEO/administrator, Pamela Ott, 59, was brought up on charges of elder abuse, it has been said there was an emergency meeting called at Ott's latest employer, Sierra King District Hospital.
Could it be that Sierra King, located in Reedley, is going to get a resignation or maybe firing their now criminally charged, CEO?
They couldn't be doing that...Ott's attorney says she's completely innocent.
(I'm sure like a child.)
More on this story...
http://www.skdh.org/
Persistance and Tenacity, requires a new chapter, a new beginning....
Showing posts with label Laura Hart. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laura Hart. Show all posts
Thursday, September 10, 2009
How did the media do on Ott's story...I give best story to the Bakersfield Californian
As you can imagine in your nightmares, I went and checked on all the media coverage regarding the elder abuse charges against former CEO of the Kern Valley Healthcare District, Pamela Ott, this week.
Some of it, was laughable, others used straight news releases from the Department of Justice, some used the news releases as foundation for their articles, then other crashed so much information on top of you it was hard to understand.
Of all the outlets covering, I say The Bakersfield Californian did the best job. Good facts, simplicity of coverage, best quote award and it was well written.
Ott's attorney, Jim Faulkner, said she was completely innocent. Boy are we going to have fun with that.
I know I popped the Californian in the jaw earlier this year, and explained to them that we are not just "carnage canyon" to feed breaking news, we have a "history" up here, that the surrounding beauty does not belie.
So, I emailed all of the media outlets with corrections, (I'm sure they just loved that) and let it go at that.
Basic facts:
Here are some of the basic facts:
This happened at the Kern Valley Healthcare District in Mt. Mesa California. KVHD is a public healthcare district.
They have a hospital and a skilled nursing center in the same building.
Pam Ott has phony credentials as to her administration degrees. Google, Kennedy Western University.
The state investigation runs from Aug. 1, 2006 until Jan. 25, 2007.
Ott resigned in May 2007, when the the civil lawsuits began to appear.
Ott worked with a board of directors, who had a quorum, three of the five always voted the way Ott wanted them too. Open Brown act violations occurred.
It's no doubt the board knew what was going on as well.
Feb. 20 of this year, the state charged, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, the medical director for the SNF, Debbi Hayes, the Pharmacist, and Gwen Hughes, the director of nursing who began working at the hospital after Ott and her CNO, were tagged by CMS/DHS in 2006 for using physical restraints and short staffing.
Aug. 14, Debbi Hayes, the pharmacist plead no contest to a conspiracy charge, got a one year suspended sentence, three years of probation, and community service so she can become a witness in the case.
On Sept. 8, it was supposed to be the pre preliminary hearing for the doctor and director of nursing, but Ott got the spotlight as they charged her that day, and the case was continued to Nov.3 and 4.
Some of it, was laughable, others used straight news releases from the Department of Justice, some used the news releases as foundation for their articles, then other crashed so much information on top of you it was hard to understand.
Of all the outlets covering, I say The Bakersfield Californian did the best job. Good facts, simplicity of coverage, best quote award and it was well written.
Ott's attorney, Jim Faulkner, said she was completely innocent. Boy are we going to have fun with that.
I know I popped the Californian in the jaw earlier this year, and explained to them that we are not just "carnage canyon" to feed breaking news, we have a "history" up here, that the surrounding beauty does not belie.
So, I emailed all of the media outlets with corrections, (I'm sure they just loved that) and let it go at that.
Basic facts:
Here are some of the basic facts:
This happened at the Kern Valley Healthcare District in Mt. Mesa California. KVHD is a public healthcare district.
They have a hospital and a skilled nursing center in the same building.
Pam Ott has phony credentials as to her administration degrees. Google, Kennedy Western University.
The state investigation runs from Aug. 1, 2006 until Jan. 25, 2007.
Ott resigned in May 2007, when the the civil lawsuits began to appear.
Ott worked with a board of directors, who had a quorum, three of the five always voted the way Ott wanted them too. Open Brown act violations occurred.
It's no doubt the board knew what was going on as well.
Feb. 20 of this year, the state charged, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, the medical director for the SNF, Debbi Hayes, the Pharmacist, and Gwen Hughes, the director of nursing who began working at the hospital after Ott and her CNO, were tagged by CMS/DHS in 2006 for using physical restraints and short staffing.
Aug. 14, Debbi Hayes, the pharmacist plead no contest to a conspiracy charge, got a one year suspended sentence, three years of probation, and community service so she can become a witness in the case.
On Sept. 8, it was supposed to be the pre preliminary hearing for the doctor and director of nursing, but Ott got the spotlight as they charged her that day, and the case was continued to Nov.3 and 4.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Ott's charged and walks out on own recognizance right into me...
Former Kern Valley Healthcare District CEO/Administrator, Pamela Ott, shown in court today facing charges of elder abuse and conspiracy charges for her role in the skilled nursing facility scandal which resulted in charges against a doctor and director of nursing.
(Court room pictures provided by KGET Channel 17 in Bakersfield)
As I rushed to get to the courtroom this morning at the Kern County Superior Court, I was but five minutes late and cursing myself as the overly attendant security system resulted in almost a strip search.
After retrieving my watch, keys, phone, and not the camera, I caught the trail of a bright young reporter on his way to the court room to see our former CEO brought up on the charges.
It was six months later, Feb. 20 of this year, being the date of the original charges being brought against the hospital, and the reporters from the Bakersfield region had no idea what was going on and who this person was and what her appearing in the case suddenly represented.
Note here, this is not an indictment, as much as I prefer the sound of "indictment watch" to " felony complaint watch" or "lawbreaker watch," it gives you the reader incorrect idea.
Indictment is what I tried to do in June of 2007, when I contacted the grand jury, we had a little teeny weeny investigation, and hands shook, but nothing happened.
These charges emanate from the state department of justice, so it's not an indictment as such. (Darn.)
Anyway, I find my way to the court practically knocking people down in my path: there are way too many people in the legal system, the walls were packed like sardines, lawyers, crying babies, crying lawyers, worried looks, and the murmur of plea bargaining and attorneys fees and ...a lot of pacing in the narrow hallway.
I quickly opened the door to the court room extremely certain I was not going to find Pam Ott in shackles as was done to the first three defendants as we all got to see their images blasted everywhere.
No, I opened the door in between the court and the haul, the vestibule and the other door opened, and I literally "ran into" Pam Ott, no exaggeration.
When the two doors closed it was quiet and we looked at each other. It felt like a confessional. There was no real emotion between us, just an understanding that what she did to the community was not going away, because way too many of us know what she did.
It was real to both of us as we stood there. I would say Ott almost had a look of resignation.
But that's timing folks and that's Karma.
As she went outside a free woman, charged, fingerprinted, but no bail, no shackles, no real public embarrassment for the person most responsible for what happened in the nursing center in 2006/07 at the KVHD hospital, I opened to the door to the court and looked at least 30 people in jumpsuits inside waiting to be heard.
Like I predicted last night on the blog, the "Martha Stewart" treatment.
First thing I did when I got home was to put a call into the Department of Justice Press office and ask why was Ott treated differently. I'm still waiting on my response.
What was different about all those people in the court room, in shackles, and jumpsuits? They didn't have enough money. Its that simple.
Pam Ott is being represented, by criminal defense attorney, Jim Faulkner, of Bakersfield. And she apparently made some sort of deal for the white collar treatment she got.
Dr. Pormir and Gwen Hughes also appeared but with the additional defendant, Ott, the case has been postponed until Nov. 3 and 4.
Dr. Pormir got his passport back today and Gwen Hughes quickly wheeled by me in her wheelchair which was another dejavu moment.
The last time I saw Hughes she was at the nursing center Christmas party. She raced by me then, saying she had a security problem, and then I find out from Pam Ott, that she had hit two board members with her wheelchair trying to get them out of the SNF.
Ott, in an email, thought the incident funny, but even now as that moment today with Gwen, it reminded me of how crazy it had gotten at the hospital. Trying to keep people out of the nursing center because of fear of being caught with your staff down.
Two of the defendants showed up for this, another continuance, which costs money, and neither have left the country or tried to flee.
Now, Ott left the Kern River Valley though in May of 2007: she fled. She got a reference from the chairman of the board and went up to meet friends in Reedley, CA, at the Sierra King District hospital.
The only provision given for Ott is not to work in a facility with a nursing center. ???
Now she hasn't been charged with such an act, but she falsely claimed to be more than a Registered Nurse. She even ordered medical treatment.
Her credentials are shaky at best for administration.
Yet, somehow, she is less of a risk.
So, I met up with Faulkner, Ott's attorney, sort of, in the felony department of this legal retail outfit called superior court.
Faulkner was telling another reporter that Ott was brought up on all the charges the others were, though we could not get the paperwork, and elucidated the mistake about this being a grand jury indictment.
Ott's attorney went on to literally wave his hand dismissing any notion this was a big thing in regard to the Ott case. Of course, he was talking to a reporter with no background on the situation, he was trying to chase off or at least subdue any interest on the part of the press. That's what attorney's do.
I listened intently standing at the counter wondering what he might say next. Let out the rope and see what happens.
Sorry, I couldn't take much more of it, so I introduced myself, "hi, I'm Laura Hart." (that's one heck of a calling card these days. It is kind of like when 60 minutes used to show up, same nauseous feeling I'm sure.)
His face fell, chin dropped, and then the evil eye, then retreat back to the other reporter. I asked him where Pam was and that I wanted some pictures, it was a facetious question of course.
He knew who I was, but I guess he didn't expect me to be standing there watching him posture for the press who knows nothing.
Then I said, I don't think you have a good case, in fact I know you don't.
I think he will be a good attorney for Ott though, as I asked again about her whereabouts for a photo op, he moved his large frame quickly in my path.
(I'm sure I'll get no more information from him other than that eavesdropping session, but it was worth it just to see his face do those things.)
(Court room pictures provided by KGET Channel 17 in Bakersfield)
As I rushed to get to the courtroom this morning at the Kern County Superior Court, I was but five minutes late and cursing myself as the overly attendant security system resulted in almost a strip search.
After retrieving my watch, keys, phone, and not the camera, I caught the trail of a bright young reporter on his way to the court room to see our former CEO brought up on the charges.
It was six months later, Feb. 20 of this year, being the date of the original charges being brought against the hospital, and the reporters from the Bakersfield region had no idea what was going on and who this person was and what her appearing in the case suddenly represented.
Note here, this is not an indictment, as much as I prefer the sound of "indictment watch" to " felony complaint watch" or "lawbreaker watch," it gives you the reader incorrect idea.
Indictment is what I tried to do in June of 2007, when I contacted the grand jury, we had a little teeny weeny investigation, and hands shook, but nothing happened.
These charges emanate from the state department of justice, so it's not an indictment as such. (Darn.)
Anyway, I find my way to the court practically knocking people down in my path: there are way too many people in the legal system, the walls were packed like sardines, lawyers, crying babies, crying lawyers, worried looks, and the murmur of plea bargaining and attorneys fees and ...a lot of pacing in the narrow hallway.
I quickly opened the door to the court room extremely certain I was not going to find Pam Ott in shackles as was done to the first three defendants as we all got to see their images blasted everywhere.
No, I opened the door in between the court and the haul, the vestibule and the other door opened, and I literally "ran into" Pam Ott, no exaggeration.
When the two doors closed it was quiet and we looked at each other. It felt like a confessional. There was no real emotion between us, just an understanding that what she did to the community was not going away, because way too many of us know what she did.
It was real to both of us as we stood there. I would say Ott almost had a look of resignation.
But that's timing folks and that's Karma.
As she went outside a free woman, charged, fingerprinted, but no bail, no shackles, no real public embarrassment for the person most responsible for what happened in the nursing center in 2006/07 at the KVHD hospital, I opened to the door to the court and looked at least 30 people in jumpsuits inside waiting to be heard.
Like I predicted last night on the blog, the "Martha Stewart" treatment.
First thing I did when I got home was to put a call into the Department of Justice Press office and ask why was Ott treated differently. I'm still waiting on my response.
What was different about all those people in the court room, in shackles, and jumpsuits? They didn't have enough money. Its that simple.
Pam Ott is being represented, by criminal defense attorney, Jim Faulkner, of Bakersfield. And she apparently made some sort of deal for the white collar treatment she got.
Dr. Pormir and Gwen Hughes also appeared but with the additional defendant, Ott, the case has been postponed until Nov. 3 and 4.
Dr. Pormir got his passport back today and Gwen Hughes quickly wheeled by me in her wheelchair which was another dejavu moment.
The last time I saw Hughes she was at the nursing center Christmas party. She raced by me then, saying she had a security problem, and then I find out from Pam Ott, that she had hit two board members with her wheelchair trying to get them out of the SNF.
Ott, in an email, thought the incident funny, but even now as that moment today with Gwen, it reminded me of how crazy it had gotten at the hospital. Trying to keep people out of the nursing center because of fear of being caught with your staff down.
Two of the defendants showed up for this, another continuance, which costs money, and neither have left the country or tried to flee.
Now, Ott left the Kern River Valley though in May of 2007: she fled. She got a reference from the chairman of the board and went up to meet friends in Reedley, CA, at the Sierra King District hospital.
The only provision given for Ott is not to work in a facility with a nursing center. ???
Now she hasn't been charged with such an act, but she falsely claimed to be more than a Registered Nurse. She even ordered medical treatment.
Her credentials are shaky at best for administration.
Yet, somehow, she is less of a risk.
So, I met up with Faulkner, Ott's attorney, sort of, in the felony department of this legal retail outfit called superior court.
Faulkner was telling another reporter that Ott was brought up on all the charges the others were, though we could not get the paperwork, and elucidated the mistake about this being a grand jury indictment.
Ott's attorney went on to literally wave his hand dismissing any notion this was a big thing in regard to the Ott case. Of course, he was talking to a reporter with no background on the situation, he was trying to chase off or at least subdue any interest on the part of the press. That's what attorney's do.
I listened intently standing at the counter wondering what he might say next. Let out the rope and see what happens.
Sorry, I couldn't take much more of it, so I introduced myself, "hi, I'm Laura Hart." (that's one heck of a calling card these days. It is kind of like when 60 minutes used to show up, same nauseous feeling I'm sure.)
His face fell, chin dropped, and then the evil eye, then retreat back to the other reporter. I asked him where Pam was and that I wanted some pictures, it was a facetious question of course.
He knew who I was, but I guess he didn't expect me to be standing there watching him posture for the press who knows nothing.
Then I said, I don't think you have a good case, in fact I know you don't.
I think he will be a good attorney for Ott though, as I asked again about her whereabouts for a photo op, he moved his large frame quickly in my path.
(I'm sure I'll get no more information from him other than that eavesdropping session, but it was worth it just to see his face do those things.)
Ott was fingerprinted but never entered the jail or was otherwise incarcerated at any point.
I found Dr. Pormir, who cannot speak to any questions involving the case, but he can listen and not respond.
Finally, I told him, the right person is being charged in this case. I said, you know it and I know it.
Here is the press release from those "bad boys" of PR, at the attorney general's office. I must say, I like it. Again, except the part about the release of Ott.
Brown Files Criminal Charges Against Former Nursing Home Administrator in Kern Valley Elder Abuse Case
Bakersfield - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that Kern Valley Hospital administrator Pamela Ott was charged on eight felony counts of elder abuse today for allowing staff to forcibly administer psychotropic medications to patients for their own convenience, rather than for their patients' therapeutic interests. These actions are alleged to have resulted in the deaths of three nursing home residents. "As hospital administrator, Pamela Ott, was ultimately responsible for safeguarding the welfare of her patients," Brown said. "Instead, Ott abdicated her responsibility and allowed the staff of the Kern Valley Hospital to forcibly sedate patients who questioned their care." Brown the charges against Ott in Kern County Superior Court. She surrendered herself in court this morning and pled not guilty. She was released on her own recognizance on the condition that she not run a skilled nursing facility. A preliminary hearing is set for November 4, 2009. Today's charges are in addition to those filed in February 2009 against: - Gwen Hughes, the former Director of Nursing at the skilled nursing facility of the Kern Valley Healthcare District in Lake Isabella, Kern County on charges of elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. - Debbi Hayes, the former pharmacist at the Valley Healthcare District, on charges of elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On August 14, 2009, Hayes pled no contest to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit an act injurious to public health. She is a cooperating witness for the people. - Dr. Hoshang Pormir, a staff physician at Kern Valley Healthcare District, who was serving as the medical director of the skilled nursing facility, on charges of elder abuse. As the Administrator of the Kern Valley Health Care District, Ott hired and supervised Director of Nursing Gwen Hughes. Upon taking over in September 2006, Hughes ordered that Alzheimer's and other dementia patients be given high doses of psychotropic medications to make them more tranquil and easy to control. She ordered the administration of these medications to patients who argued with her, were noisy, or who were otherwise disruptive. Two patients who resisted were held down and forcibly given injections. Ms. Ott was informed of these actions and allowed them to continue. Hughes is also alleged to have directed Debbi Hayes, the hospital pharmacist, to fill prescriptions for psychotropic medications. Hayes wrote and filled these prescriptions without first obtaining a doctor's approval. Dr. Pormir approved these psychotropic medications only some time after they had been administered and without examining the patients first and determining whether these psychotropic medications were medically necessary. Several of these patients are alleged to have had medical complications as a result of being given these psychotropic medications, including lethargy and the inability to eat or drink properly. It is believed that three patients died and one patient suffered great bodily injury as a result. The investigation Kern Valley Healthcare District operates a small community hospital and skilled nursing facility in Lake Isabella. The case came to the attention of authorities in January 2007, when an ombudsman reported to the Bakersfield office of the California Department of Public Health that a patient in the skilled nursing facility had been held down and given an injection of psychotropic medication by force. The Department of Public Health immediately sent an investigative team with a doctor, a nurse, and a doctor of pharmacology. They determined that 22 patients, including some who were suffering from Alzheimer's at the skilled nursing facility, were being given high doses of psychotropic medication not for therapeutic reasons, but to simply control and quiet them for the convenience of the staff. The Department of Public Health issued a Certificate of Immediate Jeopardy which resulted in the immediate dismissal of the Ms. Hughes. The matter was then turned over to the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse. Special Agents from the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse began a year-long investigation, with the co-operation and assistance of the Department of Public Health and the administration of the Kern Valley Healthcare District. A search warrant was served on the facility in August 2008, resulting in the seizure of numerous medical files and records. If convicted, all defendants could face up to 11 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, with the co-operation and assistance of the Kern County District Attorney's Office. To view the news releases issued February 2009 about this case, go to http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1682&. To report elder abuse or Medi-Cal fraud, call the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse's hotline at (800) 722-0432. The complaints are attached.
# # #
You may view the full account of this posting, including possible attachments, in the News & Alerts section of our website at: http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1798
Bakersfield - Attorney General Edmund G. Brown Jr. announced that Kern Valley Hospital administrator Pamela Ott was charged on eight felony counts of elder abuse today for allowing staff to forcibly administer psychotropic medications to patients for their own convenience, rather than for their patients' therapeutic interests. These actions are alleged to have resulted in the deaths of three nursing home residents. "As hospital administrator, Pamela Ott, was ultimately responsible for safeguarding the welfare of her patients," Brown said. "Instead, Ott abdicated her responsibility and allowed the staff of the Kern Valley Hospital to forcibly sedate patients who questioned their care." Brown the charges against Ott in Kern County Superior Court. She surrendered herself in court this morning and pled not guilty. She was released on her own recognizance on the condition that she not run a skilled nursing facility. A preliminary hearing is set for November 4, 2009. Today's charges are in addition to those filed in February 2009 against: - Gwen Hughes, the former Director of Nursing at the skilled nursing facility of the Kern Valley Healthcare District in Lake Isabella, Kern County on charges of elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. - Debbi Hayes, the former pharmacist at the Valley Healthcare District, on charges of elder abuse and assault with a deadly weapon. On August 14, 2009, Hayes pled no contest to a felony charge of conspiracy to commit an act injurious to public health. She is a cooperating witness for the people. - Dr. Hoshang Pormir, a staff physician at Kern Valley Healthcare District, who was serving as the medical director of the skilled nursing facility, on charges of elder abuse. As the Administrator of the Kern Valley Health Care District, Ott hired and supervised Director of Nursing Gwen Hughes. Upon taking over in September 2006, Hughes ordered that Alzheimer's and other dementia patients be given high doses of psychotropic medications to make them more tranquil and easy to control. She ordered the administration of these medications to patients who argued with her, were noisy, or who were otherwise disruptive. Two patients who resisted were held down and forcibly given injections. Ms. Ott was informed of these actions and allowed them to continue. Hughes is also alleged to have directed Debbi Hayes, the hospital pharmacist, to fill prescriptions for psychotropic medications. Hayes wrote and filled these prescriptions without first obtaining a doctor's approval. Dr. Pormir approved these psychotropic medications only some time after they had been administered and without examining the patients first and determining whether these psychotropic medications were medically necessary. Several of these patients are alleged to have had medical complications as a result of being given these psychotropic medications, including lethargy and the inability to eat or drink properly. It is believed that three patients died and one patient suffered great bodily injury as a result. The investigation Kern Valley Healthcare District operates a small community hospital and skilled nursing facility in Lake Isabella. The case came to the attention of authorities in January 2007, when an ombudsman reported to the Bakersfield office of the California Department of Public Health that a patient in the skilled nursing facility had been held down and given an injection of psychotropic medication by force. The Department of Public Health immediately sent an investigative team with a doctor, a nurse, and a doctor of pharmacology. They determined that 22 patients, including some who were suffering from Alzheimer's at the skilled nursing facility, were being given high doses of psychotropic medication not for therapeutic reasons, but to simply control and quiet them for the convenience of the staff. The Department of Public Health issued a Certificate of Immediate Jeopardy which resulted in the immediate dismissal of the Ms. Hughes. The matter was then turned over to the California Department of Justice, Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse. Special Agents from the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse began a year-long investigation, with the co-operation and assistance of the Department of Public Health and the administration of the Kern Valley Healthcare District. A search warrant was served on the facility in August 2008, resulting in the seizure of numerous medical files and records. If convicted, all defendants could face up to 11 years in prison. The case is being prosecuted by the Attorney General's Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse, with the co-operation and assistance of the Kern County District Attorney's Office. To view the news releases issued February 2009 about this case, go to http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1682&. To report elder abuse or Medi-Cal fraud, call the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse's hotline at (800) 722-0432. The complaints are attached.
# # #
You may view the full account of this posting, including possible attachments, in the News & Alerts section of our website at: http://ag.ca.gov/newsalerts/release.php?id=1798
(I didn't format the press release, but I did spell check it for them. Only two mistakes. Good job PR guys.)
More of today's story to come and more pictures. Who was there?
Monday, September 7, 2009
This better be no Martha Stewart thing...the others were taken in shackles KVHD INDICTMENT WATCH
"Warden threw a party in the county jail..." Elvis (Presley for those who don't know the famous song, Jail House Rock)
Upcoming prepreliminary hearings in the elder abuse cases with a new defendant tomorrow at the Kern County Superior Court (details below). Pam Ott will be indicted on charges unknown as of yet, but heard that they should be at least equal to the current charges against, Dr. Hoshang Pormir and Gwen Hughes, RN, still outstanding.
Former defendant, Pharmacist, Debbi Hayes, plead out on a conspiracy charge on Aug. 14, and is expected to be a part of the states "extended" version of the case, this time as a witness, we hope.
All parties deny any knowledge of this, but if I were the state investigators I would get all I could out of this conspiracy charge and use someone from the inside to tell the truth.
These charges against Ott are the closest we've come to the reality behind these indictments of what people are afraid to talk about here in the valley, people have been damaged, trust breached.
But more still lurk at the hospital, those who in collusion with this CEO/Administrator, Ott, and those who said nothing, did nothing, even interfered with action being taken.
So, yes, Department of Justice, use that conspiracy charge for all its worth and make them all face their role in this mess. I'm sure Pam Ott would be happy to tell you more about Chet Beedle for a year or so off her eventual sentence.
If she can help you wrangle all of them, use Pam Ott. Give her the reduced sentence for bringing in the whole lot of them.
My concern the night before court is that I heard something that sounded Ott, I mean odd. That Ott is coming in on her own to court.
Now I've wondered in my mind about how she wrapped this whole community around her fingertips, while using the other hand to put knives into some of our backs.
Don't be fooled judges, investigators, you have a live one on your hands, and I wonder what her angle will be as their always is one with her. She needs to be treated exactly like the other defendants.
They were taken in with cuffs on. They got orange jumpsuits.
Lets make sure you realize Pam Ott is no Martha Stewart, and she gets to wear orange too.
Its the disparities of how you treat crimes and criminals. White collar, blue collar, justice comes with a price tag somewhere in the deal. The more you have the more you can manipulate the system.
I know that people lost loved ones at the Kern Valley Healthcare District, and we all know that people are sometimes already close to death when they enter a facility, and we have talked about the use of psychotropics, which in certain cases is certainly warranted, you don't want people in severe emotional pain. But I see the major crime as keeping the dignity of the resident and the family in mind. Not calling to change medications, having an explanation for the change of the medicine, not even calling to tell family their loved one is dead. Having few nurses to devote to any sort of personal care and relationship with the patient.
Losing all of your former self and life, simply because people don't care. And worse than that are snake oil pushers like Ott, who tell everyone about her commitment to healthcare, rural especially, her love for the residents of the nursing facility, and completely disregard it and let it decay and become harmful because of money.
Yes, this whole thing happened to save a few bucks and get a few bucks from the community with a general obligation bond.
But then the money started just flowing as the "not so" skilled nursing facility was on the brink of collapse in 2007. At least three million dollars went to the attempt to resuscitate the nursing center, most of it needlessly.
It's endless the monies that have been spent at your hospital, neighbors, but it didn't go toward your care, into went into expenses for CEO's to travel up and down the state, and even get paid to eat a lunch. Ask two remaining old board members about that, as they were the ones to okay it.
It didn't go to the nurses who have spent their careers at the district, but to traveling and registry nurses who just come and go, filling a position, acting as a function, but not having any vested interest in the hospital, the valley, the businesses in the valley, or the people.
Not knocking the use of travelers and registry, just knocking how it wasn't utilized properly or even rationally at KVHD.
So, tomorrow, we will see if what happens in court. I'll get back with you on it when I get home.
I promise to nit pick every single thing that happens, every word that is spoken and describe to you the body language I read.
And I'll pick up the paperwork too and post it on the blog.
Thanks for your help state of California, now I hope you follow through and clean the wound before we close the surgical site.
Need my sleep for court tomorrow...story to follow.
09/08/2009, 08:30AM
Metro Division - 1415 Truxtun
PH
STATUS CONFERENCE
09/08/2009, 08:30AM
Metro Division - 1415 Truxtun
PH
SETTING PRELIMINARY HEARING DATE
09/08/2009, 08:30AM
Metro Division - 1415 Truxtun
PH
MOTION TO AMEND COMPLAINT
Hypocrisy doesn't end, it just begins at the Kern Valley healthcare district. And the cleaning out process may be painful, but in the end, it will be the only thing that saves healthcare in this community.
Upcoming prepreliminary hearings in the elder abuse cases with a new defendant tomorrow at the Kern County Superior Court (details below). Pam Ott will be indicted on charges unknown as of yet, but heard that they should be at least equal to the current charges against, Dr. Hoshang Pormir and Gwen Hughes, RN, still outstanding.
Former defendant, Pharmacist, Debbi Hayes, plead out on a conspiracy charge on Aug. 14, and is expected to be a part of the states "extended" version of the case, this time as a witness, we hope.
All parties deny any knowledge of this, but if I were the state investigators I would get all I could out of this conspiracy charge and use someone from the inside to tell the truth.
These charges against Ott are the closest we've come to the reality behind these indictments of what people are afraid to talk about here in the valley, people have been damaged, trust breached.
But more still lurk at the hospital, those who in collusion with this CEO/Administrator, Ott, and those who said nothing, did nothing, even interfered with action being taken.
So, yes, Department of Justice, use that conspiracy charge for all its worth and make them all face their role in this mess. I'm sure Pam Ott would be happy to tell you more about Chet Beedle for a year or so off her eventual sentence.
If she can help you wrangle all of them, use Pam Ott. Give her the reduced sentence for bringing in the whole lot of them.
My concern the night before court is that I heard something that sounded Ott, I mean odd. That Ott is coming in on her own to court.
Now I've wondered in my mind about how she wrapped this whole community around her fingertips, while using the other hand to put knives into some of our backs.
Don't be fooled judges, investigators, you have a live one on your hands, and I wonder what her angle will be as their always is one with her. She needs to be treated exactly like the other defendants.
They were taken in with cuffs on. They got orange jumpsuits.
Lets make sure you realize Pam Ott is no Martha Stewart, and she gets to wear orange too.
Its the disparities of how you treat crimes and criminals. White collar, blue collar, justice comes with a price tag somewhere in the deal. The more you have the more you can manipulate the system.
I know that people lost loved ones at the Kern Valley Healthcare District, and we all know that people are sometimes already close to death when they enter a facility, and we have talked about the use of psychotropics, which in certain cases is certainly warranted, you don't want people in severe emotional pain. But I see the major crime as keeping the dignity of the resident and the family in mind. Not calling to change medications, having an explanation for the change of the medicine, not even calling to tell family their loved one is dead. Having few nurses to devote to any sort of personal care and relationship with the patient.
Losing all of your former self and life, simply because people don't care. And worse than that are snake oil pushers like Ott, who tell everyone about her commitment to healthcare, rural especially, her love for the residents of the nursing facility, and completely disregard it and let it decay and become harmful because of money.
Yes, this whole thing happened to save a few bucks and get a few bucks from the community with a general obligation bond.
But then the money started just flowing as the "not so" skilled nursing facility was on the brink of collapse in 2007. At least three million dollars went to the attempt to resuscitate the nursing center, most of it needlessly.
It's endless the monies that have been spent at your hospital, neighbors, but it didn't go toward your care, into went into expenses for CEO's to travel up and down the state, and even get paid to eat a lunch. Ask two remaining old board members about that, as they were the ones to okay it.
It didn't go to the nurses who have spent their careers at the district, but to traveling and registry nurses who just come and go, filling a position, acting as a function, but not having any vested interest in the hospital, the valley, the businesses in the valley, or the people.
Not knocking the use of travelers and registry, just knocking how it wasn't utilized properly or even rationally at KVHD.
So, tomorrow, we will see if what happens in court. I'll get back with you on it when I get home.
I promise to nit pick every single thing that happens, every word that is spoken and describe to you the body language I read.
And I'll pick up the paperwork too and post it on the blog.
Thanks for your help state of California, now I hope you follow through and clean the wound before we close the surgical site.
Need my sleep for court tomorrow...story to follow.
09/08/2009, 08:30AM
Metro Division - 1415 Truxtun
PH
STATUS CONFERENCE
09/08/2009, 08:30AM
Metro Division - 1415 Truxtun
PH
SETTING PRELIMINARY HEARING DATE
09/08/2009, 08:30AM
Metro Division - 1415 Truxtun
PH
MOTION TO AMEND COMPLAINT
Hypocrisy doesn't end, it just begins at the Kern Valley healthcare district. And the cleaning out process may be painful, but in the end, it will be the only thing that saves healthcare in this community.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
BREAKING NEWS: KVHD former CEO, PAM OTT, INDICTED
Sources say Pam Ott will be in court this week to face charges in the elder abuse cases involving her time as administrator/CEO of the Kern Valley Healthcare District.
Although Ott is one of many responsible for the chaos and system breakdown which took place at the KVHD nursing center, and one of several administrators who fled the scene as civil lawsuits, threats of closure and exposure, were looming in 2007.
More than two years after, Kern Valley Healthcare District, CEO, Pamela Ott, resigned during the crisis in the skilled nursing facility, sources say that Ott will be in Kern County Superior court on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to face her indictment and responsibilities for her part of what happened at KVHD in 2006/2007.
With an on-going state investigation netting enough evidence to bring Ott back to Kern county where she originally fled from as the KVHD nursing center was on the verge of closing because
of poor practices, possibly lack of knowledge, but certainly lack of oversight by the hospital's administrative team.
The original three indictments, from Feb. of this year, but regarding the time period of Aug. 1, 2006 to Jan. 25, 2007, of Dr. Hoshang Pormir, Gwen Hughes, Director of Nursing and Debbi Hayes, Pharmacist did not fit the evidence of those closest to the situation.
As to others who still linger at the hospital, there is no word, if there any other indictments coming up. We will be watching closely.
This man, Bob Jamison, board member and local radio star, used blogs and his radio show to attack those who would believe that there were serious problems at the hospital.
After months of waiting to see if the California Department of Justice, Attorney General, Edmund G. Brown Jr., agents from Medical Fraud and elder abuse, could bring truth to the case against the district, it looks like a new defendant, former KVHD CEO,Pam Ott, will most likely be facing a judge this week.
Although Ott is one of many responsible for the chaos and system breakdown which took place at the KVHD nursing center, and one of several administrators who fled the scene as civil lawsuits, threats of closure and exposure, were looming in 2007.
But Ott was the leadership, and it was the leadership who tried to escape responsibility for their actions blaming it on others, covering tracks and creating scapegoats.
More than two years after, Kern Valley Healthcare District, CEO, Pamela Ott, resigned during the crisis in the skilled nursing facility, sources say that Ott will be in Kern County Superior court on Tuesday, Sept. 8, to face her indictment and responsibilities for her part of what happened at KVHD in 2006/2007.
With an on-going state investigation netting enough evidence to bring Ott back to Kern county where she originally fled from as the KVHD nursing center was on the verge of closing because
of poor practices, possibly lack of knowledge, but certainly lack of oversight by the hospital's administrative team.The original three indictments, from Feb. of this year, but regarding the time period of Aug. 1, 2006 to Jan. 25, 2007, of Dr. Hoshang Pormir, Gwen Hughes, Director of Nursing and Debbi Hayes, Pharmacist did not fit the evidence of those closest to the situation.
The administration led by Ott, ignored or punished negative information from the employees, the press and residents of the Skilled Nursing Facility as investigators from the state's Medical fraud and Elder abuse Bureau of the Department of Justice set upon the hospital.
Recently, things began to change in regard to the investigation, and on August 14, the state put another charge onto the pharmacist, for conspiracy, injurious to the public. Hayes, plead out on the count, receiving a one year suspended jail sentence, and three years probation along with community service.
The Pharmacists role in the upcoming court hearings is still speculation, but she may end up as a witness in the case. Nothing solid on that yet.
Though the Department of Justice is quiet as to its intentions, waiting until late Friday, as the Kern County Superior Court website showed a "new" item on its calendar for Sept. 8, when Dr. Pormir and Gwen Hughes have scheduled pre-prelim hearings, there was a third item: Motion to amend complaint.
Calls and emails came in asking me about this, and finally, with some certainty, we have learned that Pam Ott has been indicted. At this time we don't have the exact charges, but will get those to you after the holiday.
We will be in court on Tuesday, Sept.8, and we will have our cameras.
As to others who still linger at the hospital, there is no word, if there any other indictments coming up. We will be watching closely.
But I would say to the state, and its investigators, that Ott has been gone for two years, yet the problems remained. The nursing facility was reputed to be short staffed again, and high priced contracts, costing the hospital almost three million dollars, did not solve the problems.
Chief Financial Officer, Chet Beedle, has repeated many times since 2007, that the hospital has never been short staffed. Though he recently admitted to the fact that LVN's and RN's were supposedly doing the work of nurse's aides, who spend most of their working hours in direct contact with the residents, and some strongly disagreed with Mr. Beedle's observations.
In 2006, Ott, Beedle and Bob Jamison, indeed lead this community on a wild goose chase for a general obligation bond that would have not sufficed, and architectural plans that were not workable, and finally, watched the staff shrink in the nursing facility, care for residents compromised, then directed a stranger, a new director of nursing to order whatever pharmaceuticals she wanted, as Gwen Hughes was supposed to have years of experience regarding chemical restraints.
Documents from the hospital showed that Ott signed off on the skilled nursing facility annual surveys, yet, the state allowed her to get away with some serious stretching of the truth about the actual problems.
Including short staffing. Click on document to read.
Employees claimed to be harassed and frightened, and most certainly overworked, dominated by an administration which stuck together refusing information about what was truly going on at the district.
And board members who hired Ott, with credentials from a diploma mill, appear to have allowed her to run roughshod over the district, employees, residents, patients, and even doctors.
The day after Ott stepped down, board member, Brad Armstrong, allegedly went into Ott's office, closed the door behind them, as human resources manager at the time, Michelle Rosado, fired several employees who were obviously thought to be a threat.
On that same day, Heidi Sage, Administrative Assistant, who worked in the CEO's office, was not at work while the terminations were taking place. Sage's mother, Tish Orr, who is a witness in the indictments, and someone I interviewed, went out on stress leave, because of the lack of help with the situation in the nursing center.
Armstrong has never answered to any questions regarding his role in the skilled nursing facility systems which failed. Or the short staffing where only the employees would say that they were not adequately staffed, and therefore care was compromised, but not the former chairman, Armstrong.
The twenty year board member (and that's what term limits are about folks, do you want 20 years of the same mistakes and attitude, or just 8?)
Armstrong, had an opportunity in 10/2006 to listen to the employees and order an investigation. But the chairman treated it like a mutiny, chastising the employees for not going up chain of command. Though the employees said they had already been to the CNO, Sharon Brucker, and Pam Ott, with Armstrong and the board, the open door policy slammed on their fingers.
This man, Bob Jamison, board member and local radio star, used blogs and his radio show to attack those who would believe that there were serious problems at the hospital.
He allowed, the now indicted, CEO, Pam Ott, to come for an hour on his talk show to give her side of the story. (See "Here's your witness Jerry Brown: Ott on QAB)
I asked Mr. Jamison at the last board meeting this month if Ott was indicted if he would take her back to the radio station and defend her.
His answer was just to stare at me.
My hope is that we clean out all the dirt, and that the people I have mentioned throughout this blog be put under oath and then tell their stories under the penalty of perjury.
This hospital needs to heal, Ott's indictment is a good start. But there are others who need to face their participation in the situation. Hopefully, in court, but if not, then there must be other ways to deal with them.
More info and pics to come...Will keep you updated.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Finance commit me meeting, Aug., without KVHD CFO/pharmacy/staffing/cutting/
I’m beginning to get a complex here, everywhere I seem to go people stop showing up who were expected to show up. I was so looking forward to chatting, with Chet Beedle, our Chief Financial Officer, at the kern valley healthcare district today at the monthly “finance commit me meeting,” but he wasn’t there. I even brought my cameraman for the occasion.
Bob Jamison was at finance commit me today, but he wasn’t at the “town hall, debate, confusion as to the title,” healthcare reform meeting this past Monday. There was some sort of debate between Jamison and Dr. Gross, DO, which a lot of people thought would take place.
I asked him why he didn’t show up.
For the first time in years, an utterance was heard out of Jamison directed at me, which didn’t include kicking my skinny ass.
He said he didn’t even know about it. He even asked, “What meeting are you talking about?”
I told him, his radio brethren, “smooth news” told me that Jamison said he wasn’t invited.
Jamison, looked perplexed. Then he said, I don’t know where he got that from.
I said, he said, you, said it. Then I let him off the hook as he began telling me he had heard about a “flyer” or something, but didn’t know, blah blah, it was beginning to sound way too much like the skilled nursing facility and staffing from 2007. (I wonder what he would be like under oath in court?)
But, then our new CEO, Tim McGlew arrived, eyeing my cameraman and I like we might be “up to something.” (Not us.)
I wanted to get on film the actual nature of these financial meetings to show the public. As I previously described, the meetings usually consisted of the “Fed Ex” description of the finances by, Chet Beedle, whose explanations have always been on the rather skimpy side as well as getting the feeling we are playing the shell game: which one is it under.
Since, Beedle, wasn’t there I didn’t ask my glowing red ember question, “is it the policy of the hospital to take the $200 burial fee from the people who have passed on in the skilled nursing facility, rather than giving it to the families for it’s intended purpose?” I guess that will have to wait.
Controller, Barbara Figeuroa, was at the helm today, to guide us through the monthly numbers game. I'm hoping to win at KVHD Bingo someday.
I found her to be much more interesting and forthcoming than Mr. Beedle, and I could actually understand her even when there was a little mumbling.
QUESTION NUMBER ONE:
Why can’t our pharmacy make money?
Tim McGlew began to tell us what we already knew, that the pharmacy is on COD, (cash first, product second), because we didn’t want to pay certain bills for a while, our wholesaler, is a pain, and we have no credit.
Then, however, Mr. McGlew showed that when he is asked directly he will offer more of an explanation.
I said, Rite Aid and The Drug Store are making money, why can’t we? McGlew caught the first ball in his mitt immediately. Yes, Rite Aid is a big corporation who gets the big breaks on prices. (I imagine they also pay the wholesaler on time too).
He said they have not given up on the situation and are working with the wholesaler as we speak to reduce prices and also look at other options. He said there are only three wholesalers, which makes things a bit difficult.
More to come on that story…as prescriptions filled at Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy fell sharply this last month.
I stopped by on my way out of the hospital meeting to ask the pharmacy if by some miracle, they had my rare these days, thyroid medication. You’re right, it was stupid, and they didn’t have it, and even told me again it’s not being manufactured anymore.
I don’t know who’s right or wrong there, as I contacted the manufacturer who has a recording explaining they are behind on the production of the drug, but should be caught up by the end of August.
To be fair, Rite aid and the Drug Store in Kernville, both do not have the drug in the dosage I need. And Walgreens, a great big chain, found only 30 to give to me.
One last thing on that subject, when prescribing medicine which is required daily, and not a week or two later when the pharmacy is stocked up again, or the doctor is back from vacation, is a serious responsibility. I continue to stress trying to get my three medications which need to be filled on time or I could seizure, die or go insane. (I mean, more insane) So, doctors, pharmacists and hospitals, realize we are not angry customers, we’re scared…okay?
I wonder if other rural hospitals are having a tough time with their pharmacies. If so, could we not initiate some sort of coalition with other hospitals and get our pharmaceuticals together, like chain drug stores do?
Would you like a little off the top?
Questions came and went about how the hospital plans on cutting back and then on making money. It seemed only I, and committee chairwoman, Mrs. Kathryn Knight asked questions though and that is my point about bringing on an audit committee as an adjunct to this mystery financial theatre.
I put it straightforward, as usual, are you cutting from the top or the bottom? I explained that I meant there were more cost savings from the top layer than there is with the lesser paid.
It was announced with a soothing tone, that registry and traveling nursing costs are now at the lowest in years, but the hospital has been hiring which drove up the costs of actual employees. (We’re all good with adequate staffing and not from overpriced temp agencies)
There is not a shortage of good people, you just have to attract good people, by having, good and fair hiring and firing practices. As well as being good and fair in general. Human resources, the title speaks for itself. But problems have been there at KVHD for a long time, and the baton (some have been hit with) may have been passed along in 2007.
A Psychiatrist in the house: Is that for me?
But then I was told about the new psychiatrist, who is being utilized in the skilled nursing facility to provide consultation about psychotropic drugs, which we all have learned are part of the arsenal of pharmaceuticals used for geriatric problems.
Unfortunately, this contract came way too late to avoid the indictments from the office of Medical Fraud and Elder abuse, under the auspices of the Department of Justice.
Former, CEO, Pam Ott, said she had a few psychiatrists consult in 2007, when the state was breathing down her neck. She even said these psychiatrists agreed with the treatment and medications residents of the skilled nursing facility received in the "dark years." Her doctors said the residents needed even more of the medications in some cases.
But we must be at least somewhat relieved that the district is now taking this quite seriously and consulting with another shrink on a contract basis.
McGlew reported that the new psychiatrist will also be consulting with the emergency room, as the ER director, was said to have an interest in utilizing the specialist as well.
As I have previously mentioned, I am bi-polar, along with the whole of my family along with many friends, and it is a concern to me how people with this disorder and other mental health challenges are treated at the hospital and within the district.
The history regarding these issues is rather “crazy” really, and I will begin to advocate for those like me, or those who don’t like me, or whatever, us different folks. People all across America are eating up anti-depressants, as the economy and social change, have people worried and “bummed out.”
I am not making fun of depression as it kills people every day. Bi-polars head the list of those offing themselves regularly, and not just this hospital, but every hospital and medical provider needs to understand this unpleasant reality. (In fact, my brother was let go from the KVHD ER twice while he was suicidal, cut to the bone, leaving a bloody hopeless trail and nobody from mental health ever showed up.)
Since we have little in the way of treatments for depression, the pharmaceutical companies and Budweiser head the list of antidotes people choose most often, I would like to see a more natural approach, one of understanding and compassion.
Hugs not drugs KVHD. Also staff, not half, too. Nurses kept too busy cannot tend to the little things that make life livable, like a letter from a friend, a neck rub, reading a book aloud, a good conversation, a funny movie. (if these were your last years, months, days, what would you want for you or your family?)
The psychiatrist will not provide those things, but the often brow beaten and overlooked nurses, can: Most especially the underpaid CNA’s.
Bravo, a psychiatrist, I hope we utilize him well and learn, especially for those in the skilled nursing facility.
McGlew also reported that the state has frozen the expected 3% increase in payments to the skilled nursing center and will have an impact.
Just what we need less money for our SNF. Well, not less, but the same as last year, so it could be worse.
But it shows again, the lack of concern for the elderly and disabled by the state government. Stop it up there in Sacramento. This is sounding a lot the point of a certain woman at the town hall meeting about euthanasia.
In Conclusion, there is still a hospital that needs the public’s attention, but we seem to have obtained a dedicated, CEO in Mr. McGlew, and an equally attentive new Chairwoman of the board of directors in Mrs. Knight.
They are the “portrait of dedication,” or something syrupy like that. (Oh, I’m starting to use platitudes; I must stop reading the local newspaper. Aren’t newspapers written at a fifth grade level? Or is that blogs?)
I still have so many questions, like the bond payment, the pharmacy Medicare Part D issue, and that audit committee stuck in my mind. Of course, I still want to speak to Chet Beedle. All in good time…
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Healthcare reform and the Kern Valley Healthcare District
I took a visit to our much beleaguered skilled nursing facility today, talking to the residents and wondering about the relationship between elder care and healthcare reform.
My feeling is that the residents of our nursing center or any nursing center need to be treated with respect and dignity, realizing these people were once young, had lives, families, jobs, opinions, likes, dislikes, goals, the same as the rest of us running around in the world.
They may not be able to live alone, or be cared for by busy working families, but the new reform must include monies to show that here in America we do respect our elders and we will stick by them to the end. (a natural end hopefully)
When you look at the horrifying record at KVHD in the past few years, you see a good example of what some of the major problems are with healthcare.
Short staffing a nursing home is pretty much saying that they are not worth the time, trouble or money. I strongly disagree.
But that is what happened here at our SNF, in the Kern River Valley. When the CFO, of the hospital, Chet Beedle, took out his pencil and calculator, the money disappeared from the nursing center, and the quality of care with it.
The nursing home administrator/CEO, Pam Ott, lead the way to allowing a new type of reform in the nursing center three years ago, which was medicating patients to the point of not needing much staff to care for them. It was all about the money, not the residents or their families.
In fact, a family member, who had promised her mother before she died that she would take her back home to the heartland, was told by Mr. Beedle that she could not collect the tiny sum offered by the federal government for burial costs. It was all of $200, but the family had to fight to get it.
She eventually got this money, but not after a very disgusting display on the part of the old administration, and current CFO.
Is it more money that's needed or is it a change in the way we look at our elderly residents?
It will have to be both.
When I looked in the eyes of the residents today I wondered what medicines are being used now. Has KVHD and its prescribing staff, now not under threat from the leadership, being more rational or conservative in its approach?
The pharmaceutical industry was let loose to run the world on TV with advertisements which began a whole new look at medicine. Oh, we need to give you our drugs and we will even show you how to talk your doctor into getting them for you.
Thanks, big brother. I hope you've been paid off well.
Drugs to cure foot fungus which can take out your liver? This industry is pumping out stuff like a cancer upon society. They're no better than the drug dealers living around the corner from you. If you're depressed, don't take a walk or talk out an argument or change jobs: pop a pill, you'll feel better.
I actually was in the Rural Health Clinic one day and could not stand it that the tissue boxes, the pens, the brochures, the posters, were covered in pharmaceutical ads, so I put graffiti on all of them. (Yeah, that was me)
The elderly have been over medicated for years. Partially because that generation had a trust in the medical profession and didn't question their doctors and caretakers.
I shared a bathroom with my grandmother and couldn't fit my toothbrush in the medicine cabinet as it was full of prescription bottles. Though I was young, I questioned the amount of pill popping she was doing. And the fact that she was forgetful, was she taking them the correct way.
Her decline I attribute to the healthcare she received. I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies would laud praise on themselves for keeping us alive longer, but I'm not so sure that is the case. I know far too many people who have been damaged by pharma, and I am also one of them.
Even over the counter drugs have serious side effects, but we throw them in our shopping carts like it couldn't happen to us.
You can keep a heart pumping with all sorts of drugs and procedures, but can you keep a heart laughing and happy?
In a nursing home, who are you going to question and really, will anyone listen?
Three years ago, the nursing home administrator, Pam Ott, didn't listen to the staff, residents or even the families who questioned the staffing and medications. How disrespectful and cruel to avoid contacting families and explaining the risks of certain medicines. It's an illegal and sometimes deadly practice.
I recently had surgery and while in the hospital was given an overdose of drugs. I told them it was an overdose, but even my protests were not heard. I was threatened that if I didn't take the whole dose, I would get none at all. So, I did. And then, only afterwards, did they check and find their mistake.
So, if they could do it to me, the biggest mouth in the west, then the people most at risk are the elderly and infirm. We have certainly seen that here at KVHD. There's no denying that anymore.
But how can we change this? How can we be more compassionate?
Yes, caring for the elderly and disabled is no easy task, but what about other options?
Like natural vitamins, emotional support and alternative therapies. Lets quit giving our lives and the lives of our seniors over to the pharmaceutical industry.
Yes, it would require more staffing and money to put our grandma in a spa tub to relieve her arthritis pain than it would to take some multi-side effect pain reliever.
Could a patient stiffened from Parkinson's disease use a daily massage and some aroma therapy rather than just leaving them alone in this probably terrifying condition.
I wondered as I looked at one woman today if she had enough vitamin D to process her calcium, as she has seen little sunlight in recent years.
We all know as we age we don't digest and assimilate our food as well, gaining all the nutrients we need. What about a serious focus on nutrition just for the elderly? A multi vitamin is not going to make up for quality nutrition.
Increasing the quality of life in nursing homes could be expensive, so should we just not do it?
But American medicine is about who makes the money and that's the bottom line. Currently, Pharma is winning.
Reform our minds first and realize how ludicrous it is to allow these drugs with so many dangerous side effects to be the first course of action. It has become part of our culture.
Even children are being over medicated. Little Bobby was acting out in class, and the teacher recommends that he might need to be seen by a doctor and get on some medicine. He could be ADHD or anxious, so a little Ritalin or antidepressant might help. (Him or the teacher?)
Finally, we need to reform the thought that the elderly are just "soaking up" the funds when they have reached a certain age. Hey, they worked, raised families, and produced money which went into the government coffers which are so easily depleted these days for some pretty ridiculous things.
We are "all" hopefully going to get old and we may suffer illness, unable to help ourselves some day, how do you want to be treated?
Think about it and take the time to join the national discussion on healthcare reform right here in the valley next week. See, Town Hall meeting post below.
My feeling is that the residents of our nursing center or any nursing center need to be treated with respect and dignity, realizing these people were once young, had lives, families, jobs, opinions, likes, dislikes, goals, the same as the rest of us running around in the world.
They may not be able to live alone, or be cared for by busy working families, but the new reform must include monies to show that here in America we do respect our elders and we will stick by them to the end. (a natural end hopefully)
When you look at the horrifying record at KVHD in the past few years, you see a good example of what some of the major problems are with healthcare.
Short staffing a nursing home is pretty much saying that they are not worth the time, trouble or money. I strongly disagree.
But that is what happened here at our SNF, in the Kern River Valley. When the CFO, of the hospital, Chet Beedle, took out his pencil and calculator, the money disappeared from the nursing center, and the quality of care with it.
The nursing home administrator/CEO, Pam Ott, lead the way to allowing a new type of reform in the nursing center three years ago, which was medicating patients to the point of not needing much staff to care for them. It was all about the money, not the residents or their families.
In fact, a family member, who had promised her mother before she died that she would take her back home to the heartland, was told by Mr. Beedle that she could not collect the tiny sum offered by the federal government for burial costs. It was all of $200, but the family had to fight to get it.
She eventually got this money, but not after a very disgusting display on the part of the old administration, and current CFO.
Is it more money that's needed or is it a change in the way we look at our elderly residents?
It will have to be both.
When I looked in the eyes of the residents today I wondered what medicines are being used now. Has KVHD and its prescribing staff, now not under threat from the leadership, being more rational or conservative in its approach?
The pharmaceutical industry was let loose to run the world on TV with advertisements which began a whole new look at medicine. Oh, we need to give you our drugs and we will even show you how to talk your doctor into getting them for you.
Thanks, big brother. I hope you've been paid off well.
Drugs to cure foot fungus which can take out your liver? This industry is pumping out stuff like a cancer upon society. They're no better than the drug dealers living around the corner from you. If you're depressed, don't take a walk or talk out an argument or change jobs: pop a pill, you'll feel better.
I actually was in the Rural Health Clinic one day and could not stand it that the tissue boxes, the pens, the brochures, the posters, were covered in pharmaceutical ads, so I put graffiti on all of them. (Yeah, that was me)
The elderly have been over medicated for years. Partially because that generation had a trust in the medical profession and didn't question their doctors and caretakers.
I shared a bathroom with my grandmother and couldn't fit my toothbrush in the medicine cabinet as it was full of prescription bottles. Though I was young, I questioned the amount of pill popping she was doing. And the fact that she was forgetful, was she taking them the correct way.
Her decline I attribute to the healthcare she received. I'm sure the pharmaceutical companies would laud praise on themselves for keeping us alive longer, but I'm not so sure that is the case. I know far too many people who have been damaged by pharma, and I am also one of them.
Even over the counter drugs have serious side effects, but we throw them in our shopping carts like it couldn't happen to us.
You can keep a heart pumping with all sorts of drugs and procedures, but can you keep a heart laughing and happy?
In a nursing home, who are you going to question and really, will anyone listen?
Three years ago, the nursing home administrator, Pam Ott, didn't listen to the staff, residents or even the families who questioned the staffing and medications. How disrespectful and cruel to avoid contacting families and explaining the risks of certain medicines. It's an illegal and sometimes deadly practice.
I recently had surgery and while in the hospital was given an overdose of drugs. I told them it was an overdose, but even my protests were not heard. I was threatened that if I didn't take the whole dose, I would get none at all. So, I did. And then, only afterwards, did they check and find their mistake.
So, if they could do it to me, the biggest mouth in the west, then the people most at risk are the elderly and infirm. We have certainly seen that here at KVHD. There's no denying that anymore.
But how can we change this? How can we be more compassionate?
Yes, caring for the elderly and disabled is no easy task, but what about other options?
Like natural vitamins, emotional support and alternative therapies. Lets quit giving our lives and the lives of our seniors over to the pharmaceutical industry.
Yes, it would require more staffing and money to put our grandma in a spa tub to relieve her arthritis pain than it would to take some multi-side effect pain reliever.
Could a patient stiffened from Parkinson's disease use a daily massage and some aroma therapy rather than just leaving them alone in this probably terrifying condition.
I wondered as I looked at one woman today if she had enough vitamin D to process her calcium, as she has seen little sunlight in recent years.
We all know as we age we don't digest and assimilate our food as well, gaining all the nutrients we need. What about a serious focus on nutrition just for the elderly? A multi vitamin is not going to make up for quality nutrition.
Increasing the quality of life in nursing homes could be expensive, so should we just not do it?
But American medicine is about who makes the money and that's the bottom line. Currently, Pharma is winning.
Reform our minds first and realize how ludicrous it is to allow these drugs with so many dangerous side effects to be the first course of action. It has become part of our culture.
Even children are being over medicated. Little Bobby was acting out in class, and the teacher recommends that he might need to be seen by a doctor and get on some medicine. He could be ADHD or anxious, so a little Ritalin or antidepressant might help. (Him or the teacher?)
Finally, we need to reform the thought that the elderly are just "soaking up" the funds when they have reached a certain age. Hey, they worked, raised families, and produced money which went into the government coffers which are so easily depleted these days for some pretty ridiculous things.
We are "all" hopefully going to get old and we may suffer illness, unable to help ourselves some day, how do you want to be treated?
Think about it and take the time to join the national discussion on healthcare reform right here in the valley next week. See, Town Hall meeting post below.
Town Hall meeting on Healthcare reform Monday, Aug. 24, in Lake Isabella
Oh, Mr. McCarthy, Senatorial sage, you can have your Bakersfield Town Hall bash, but we're having one here in the Kern River Valley. And since we have had to fend for ourselves to reform our own local healthcare, what a good thing it is. (Okay, Senatorial Sage just sounded good, I couldn't find anything to go with Congressional. Wonder why?)
Here let me find the article about it in the local paper. Hmm, let's see, someone was busted, singers, a few ass kissing stories, where is it?
Well, I guess the paper has other things to do than worry about your healthcare, so I'll tell you about it. (like we didn't know this already)
Dr. Robert Gross, DO, Kern Valley Healthcare District physician and board member will be debating...Oh, jeez, "tower of power" radio jockstrap, Bob Jamison.
The Town Hall meeting will take place Monday, Aug. 24th, at 6 pm, at the senior center in the veteran's room.
And we will be covering this as our first story on our new blog: "Your Government, Your Problem: an owners manual." http://yourgovernmentyourproblem.blogspot.com/
It's an important issue, frightening to many, so come out and let's all get more information. I'll see you there. (Well, if my health is in order I will)
UPDATE: MORE INFO on Monday's Debate:FORMAT: http://krvr.org/index.php?option=com_joomlaboard&Itemid=26&func=view&id=16427&catid=11
FLYER: http://tinyurl.com/8-24-Health-Care-Debate-Flyer
It may be moved to the larger, Senior Room (instead of the Vets Hall), Kern River Veterans/Senior Building, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella.
INFO: Gary Amstutz (760) 379-4720 luminous_vision@yahoo.com
I would like to add here, that this discussion regarding healthcare reform is far too important to turn into a political melee. Politics seems to be divisive, whereas discussion of issues can bring about important change.
My hope is that we all turn out for this event regardless of our political affiliations or feelings. Set them aside for when your father-in-law comes over and you need something to argue about. Just a thought.
Here let me find the article about it in the local paper. Hmm, let's see, someone was busted, singers, a few ass kissing stories, where is it?
Well, I guess the paper has other things to do than worry about your healthcare, so I'll tell you about it. (like we didn't know this already)
Dr. Robert Gross, DO, Kern Valley Healthcare District physician and board member will be debating...Oh, jeez, "tower of power" radio jockstrap, Bob Jamison.
The Town Hall meeting will take place Monday, Aug. 24th, at 6 pm, at the senior center in the veteran's room.
And we will be covering this as our first story on our new blog: "Your Government, Your Problem: an owners manual." http://yourgovernmentyourproblem.blogspot.com/
It's an important issue, frightening to many, so come out and let's all get more information. I'll see you there. (Well, if my health is in order I will)
UPDATE: MORE INFO on Monday's Debate:FORMAT: http://krvr.org/index.php?option=com_joomlaboard&Itemid=26&func=view&id=16427&catid=11
FLYER: http://tinyurl.com/8-24-Health-Care-Debate-Flyer
It may be moved to the larger, Senior Room (instead of the Vets Hall), Kern River Veterans/Senior Building, 6405 Lake Isabella Blvd., Lake Isabella.
INFO: Gary Amstutz (760) 379-4720 luminous_vision@yahoo.com
I would like to add here, that this discussion regarding healthcare reform is far too important to turn into a political melee. Politics seems to be divisive, whereas discussion of issues can bring about important change.
My hope is that we all turn out for this event regardless of our political affiliations or feelings. Set them aside for when your father-in-law comes over and you need something to argue about. Just a thought.
Monday, August 17, 2009
UPDATE: Kern County Superior confirms information/pre-preliminary hearings
I spoke with the criminal division at the Kern County Superior court and verified that our initial interpretation and reports were correct as stated on the county's website.
Pharmacist, Debbi Hayes, has plead to one count of conspiracy (penal code 182 A 5) and the other ten charges regarding elder abuse were dismissed.
Though she was sentenced to one year, the sentence is suspended, but she will have three years probation.
Likely, and only supposition here, she will end up being a witness for the prosecution/state in the other criminal cases.
But with the investigation reopened in the case of the leadership, which included, former Kern Valley Healthcare District, CEO, Pam Ott, we may likely see other indictments in this case.
I want to tell the families of the residents from the skilled nursing facility that we have fought for almost 3 years now to get the truth out and bring justice.
We are teetering on the brink of truth as of today. We are looking at potential justice as of today. Something we all could not see through the smokescreen set up by leftover members of the board of administrators whom I have spoke about repeatedly on this blog.
I also want to tell the employees who were fired, defamed, blamed, that you have your chance to tell the story, so please do it.
Currently, the word is that there is a motion for an extension on the pre-pre, and preliminary hearings that were to take place tomorrow and Wednesday, Aug. 18/19.
The extension, of course, has to be approved tomorrow, but as of right now, there is an assumption that the dates will be changed.
In the meantime, we are waiting for word on any other indictments likely to come through.
I will update the blog regularly as information comes in.
Though I may be in Bakersfield at the court tomorrow, I will make sure that the news comes fast, so watch the blog.
(Now, I have to change out of my pajamas and leave the house to cover the story? Get me my stick and sunglasses, and of course a ride, and here we go looking for justice.)
Pharmacist, Debbi Hayes, has plead to one count of conspiracy (penal code 182 A 5) and the other ten charges regarding elder abuse were dismissed.
Though she was sentenced to one year, the sentence is suspended, but she will have three years probation.
Likely, and only supposition here, she will end up being a witness for the prosecution/state in the other criminal cases.
But with the investigation reopened in the case of the leadership, which included, former Kern Valley Healthcare District, CEO, Pam Ott, we may likely see other indictments in this case.
I want to tell the families of the residents from the skilled nursing facility that we have fought for almost 3 years now to get the truth out and bring justice.
We are teetering on the brink of truth as of today. We are looking at potential justice as of today. Something we all could not see through the smokescreen set up by leftover members of the board of administrators whom I have spoke about repeatedly on this blog.
I also want to tell the employees who were fired, defamed, blamed, that you have your chance to tell the story, so please do it.
Currently, the word is that there is a motion for an extension on the pre-pre, and preliminary hearings that were to take place tomorrow and Wednesday, Aug. 18/19.
The extension, of course, has to be approved tomorrow, but as of right now, there is an assumption that the dates will be changed.
In the meantime, we are waiting for word on any other indictments likely to come through.
I will update the blog regularly as information comes in.
Though I may be in Bakersfield at the court tomorrow, I will make sure that the news comes fast, so watch the blog.
(Now, I have to change out of my pajamas and leave the house to cover the story? Get me my stick and sunglasses, and of course a ride, and here we go looking for justice.)
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