KVHD thinking Bankruptcy? Surgeon feeling slighted: politics and medicine

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

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?

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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


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

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


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


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


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


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


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

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


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


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


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


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


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


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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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


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

I found the woman stretched out on the black chairs in the waiting area, even though there were open beds in the ER, she was moaning in pain, uncomfortable...it was Christmas night for crying out loud.

Merry Christmas from KVHD...I gave her my phone number.

==========================================================================

The EMAILS (edited to keep shorter)

From: Laura [mailto:hartofthekrv@msn.com]

Sent: Sunday, December 12, 2010 3:37 AMTo: McGlew, TimothySubject: Laura Hart/questions, complaint

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

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

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

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

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

Sorry it’s taken me a while to get back to you. I’ve been out sick for a good portion of the week and my e-mails piled up. On the investigation, I am almost finished with it. I have two more individuals to interview.
As for the HFS money, there seems to be a real disconnect. (VIDEO different than what he explains here) As I prefaced my remarks regarding the strategic planning proposals, I stated that all three of the companies could do a good job with the assignment. If I didn’t think they could I wouldn’t have even put them on the list. There were others I researched who charged considerably more money. I narrowed the selection to those who had proven track records and were reasonable financially. There were unfortunately some negative comments that were made against HFS at the meeting. (Dr. Gross was lying then?)
The work that HFS did was substantial. They put considerable time into the project, most likely many more hours than they billed us. The original budget for HFS was capped $75,000. Approximately $37,000 was actually billed for the services provided. HFS did come up with a number of very good ideas that have been implemented as part of our turnaround plan. Were all of the ideas solid? No, not really, but enough of them were to be of assistance to the District. Was there a difference of opinion on some of the analyses? Of course, that happens. HFS is a reputable consulting group that does considerable work in the state and elsewhere. I have no intention of trying to get money back from them for the work they’ve done.
Tim

(I never received a response and wound up in the ER in January, hospitalized for five days, given medications without consent, transferred with probable discriminatory or inflammatory information in my records which lead to a serious traumatic event at San Joaquin Hospital. I Promise.)

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

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

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

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

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

Sitting next to the newest board member, David Derr, who was promoted by Dr. Gross owner of Sienna Wellness, this woman said Crawford changed all her husband's medications, which left him with hypo tension, she said, 80/40 blood pressure.

Greg Davis, PA, with the Rural Health Clinic was supposed to have visited their home, after the ER turned into a whole new set of tests, diagnoses, etc. Now, I have never heard of these home visits or how the KVHD administration bills or doesn't bill for such service, but unfortunately, her husband was now back at the hospital.

This time, after she attempted to get him his 'new' medicines from the KVHD retail pharmacy, he was back to the ER being transferred to Memorial Hospital in Bakersfield.

"Now this is ridiculous, I don't know how many tests he ran, but to me that's fraud."

After the trip to Memorial, she told the board, he came back on the "...same medication he was on from the very beginning."

A seemingly concerned, KVHD chairwoman, Victoria Alwin, told her to speak with Tim McGlew, the CEO, as he had an open door policy. And that she could speak to him in "private."

My take on it, was that she wanted attention to the matter in the ER, not a brush off by an administrator. As to the outcome, we know from her perspective, that her husband had to endure a number of new tests, new side effects from medications, a hospital stay, a transfer, and finally back to the medications he was on...not good.

And do they have Medicare? Did Medicare pay to torture this woman and her husband? I sure hope not, as this will be the topic of the month...what's on your bill?

The pharmacist

Marge Eckman, came to the meeting, steaming mad, as her husband, she said, was given a prescription bottle without critical information on the bottle, as well as having two dosages in one bottle.

She made a "mock" prescription of pills, indicating cotton was used to separate the two different dosages and the pharmacist gave her this bottle to take home.

Her ire was up, as Alwin, AKA, "timer lady" told her she had three minutes to finish her story. Eckman dismissed her with her hand, and kept talking about the SAFETY issues associated with this type of situation. (they don't like this stuff on film as you would suspect)

Once again our CEO, took up the position that he would fix the situation. The pharmacist was "terminated" or something of that nature, we were told, and has not been seen around since that meeting. (See article in the Kern Valley Sun Newspaper, by Susan Barr, regarding all the good things about this former pharmacist)

Here's your prize

After the board was either irritated or dismissive as you can tell from the picture, Dr. Robert Gross DO, rubbing his forehead, his usual demeanor when having to deal with an issue, and Alwin shocked that anyone would go past their three minute limit, Eckman wound up with her husband in the ER.

Marge called me the next month to say that she had been in the ER and met a doctor, the director of the "standby" emergency room, and they were almost like "kin" now. I said, what do you mean?

She told me, he was Armenian or had some Armenian relatives, and they were now "very close." In fact, she was given his cell phone number and told to call him anytime.

I said, "good, call him all the time." She responded, "I have called him three times..." and went on to say he "gave me some good advice."

Mind you, this was before the election, which had "Measure G" in the balance, and those who complained were properly lubricated as the hospital had much money at stake.

I asked Marge, "you didn't cancel your complaint with the board of pharmacy because of his sudden interest in you and your husband's health?"

She repsonded, "No way, I'm not stupid." (And I agree)

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

Next up: Medicare and Medi-Cal Fraud: it's easy and it's profitable...look there Kamala Harris as Jerry Brown left a mess here at KVHD.

Death threats, finger pointing, revictimizing: just another weekend with the Kern Valley Healthcare District

Showing weakness

After the episode brought to me by the Kern Valley Healthcare District Emergency Room, an unsafe, healthcare environment, and the drug administered that was not "specifically" used for the purposes it was "tried" upon me, I have spent ten days in severe pain and due to complications, have had to try and just hold on.

I leave the information up on the blog, because it's honest, and it means something to me to alert others to the risk of visiting the KVHD ER and it's off shoot clinics.

Sadly, my doctor whom I respected, showed me his weakness and prejudice last week, and compassion was not even on the menu.

Why? I'm bi-polar.

It's apparent that it's that simple as PA Jim Gutzman, upon my return from a terrifying experience at San Jouqain, which was a result of the "care" or really lack of caution I got when I asked about my heart issues, has no ability to have empathy or even just sympathy.

I asked him and our board member, doctor, hospitalist, Dr. Robert Gross DO, if he was going to mix our political differences with my medical care last summer. Ever since this question, I have found myself given advice for gastric issues such as the genius idea: "mix 7up and milk."

Umm, wow, that was something. Four visits later, I finally was heard, but it was too late.

Our whole healthcare system is sick and it is those of us who are not just a cold or flu who can't get the help they need. Our doctors offer nothing but as I stated, a prescription pad. It's kind of like their fig leaf, they are ashamed that they are truly naked and ineffective without it.

Leftover problems they won't deal with

After the decision to be seen at the ER after fainting, which was diagnosed as a "panic attack" and the gastric diagnosed as a cyst (don't even ask it's ludicrous) I felt I didn't know what to do in regard to getting my point across I was sick.

Gutzman being my primary doctor, or PA, ignored symptoms and though alarmed, I had no other choice than the ER. The ER took it from shooting me up with drugs to shooting me up with the wrong drug and tugging my heart down to a dangerous level. With that in mind, they also gave drugs with no warnings, no decision on my part, and with the knowledge I am bi-polar.

Save yourselves

I called the FDA and have other paperwork being filled out and faxed so that records remain the same, as their is negligence, or mistakes, and then there is "criminal negligence" which means somebody doesn't want any responsibility.

My opinion is simple: do not go alone. Continue to be honest if you are a bi-polar or chemically challenged. Complain if there is need and point out what is good so that it may be rewarded. If you are not one of the VIP's who are the leaders of this hobo town, you will not recieve the same sort of care.

The stories I could and will tell

The sad facts are that doctors do more damage than guns in this country and it is a combination of reasons. But to specifically target certain people, because of certain judgements is completely immoral as well as illegal.

Now I have already finished the case of the hospital finance, that is going out today or tomorrow, with kid you not, awesome video. Thanks to Chet Beedle for his glaring lies and his imprudence as this will be easy for people of intelligence to ascertain instantly what the problems are and how to shackle and remove them.

But what about the community?

The hospital is dangerous. The investigations poor and never resulting in change only promises of change. Hopefully, after I write the next blog, we will see something in a different manner and we can move in a positive direction.

Right now, you have Dr. Gross DO, trying desperately to keep a position of power openly crowing he has control over CFO Chet Beedle. If that is what he wants should he not give up medicine over power?

He brought on David Derr, backed him, and got him on the board. He didn't need the vote, and Derr, on tape told me Gross told him he didn't have to "know anything" to be a board member. Now that's too easy to laugh at, but it's the sad truth. Derr didn't know what a GOB was or even what KVHD stood for at his first meeting April 2010.

Politics and medicine, not a good combination if we are to be treated fairly as opposed to the silliness shown by certain board members who believe they have or are in charge of the hospital. Basically your Dr. Gross DO, is the leader of the pack, but he's also the one who got back stabbed by former CEO Pam Ott and current CFO Chet Beedle in 2007. Not two of the sharpest tools in the shed were able to side track him.

And me.

After this experience I am having problems trusting, and certainly the reaction of the administrators has shown me no reason to believe anything will change.

Threats are signs of weakness

My friend has saved the threatening call made against me, and we will find the voice, and the person eventually as they are always fools to do such rash sorts of things.

This vulgar message was reported to Officer Hughes which makes it death threat number three for me, ALL REPORTED, you can get the documents.

Hughes asked me if I was okay, I said, of course, this shows me there is a smallness that can't be denied. A craven character who wouldn't call me.

My message to him is CALL ME, I need a good laugh right now. But that's fear and it should be considering I have only cut video from 2010 and it's unnecessary to go any further, except in making it a documentary.

Yes, you audience members who step in that room, I own your video, you will be a part of it, by virtue that you came to a "public meeting." So, such as Robin Pickering, head of housecleaning who also left a threat regarding her and her husband's pix, can jump in the lake, as those are great learning tools for people who want to grow and learn.

And on we go...Meeting this Wed. 5:30 Pm in the cafeteria next to the SNF dining room.

Catch up quickly on the KVHD news: February board meeting this Wednesday

What's going on at the hospital?

News birds tweet that our friends from Cal Mtg. are planning to arrange a deal of some sort with the hospital. I have scant details, but if it doesn't involve splitting the costs, then it doesn't do it for me.

Cal Mtg. has done some really interesting financial arrangements with KVHD CFO Chet Beedle.(remember from December, we all have to treat Chet with a "positive" manner and he will then allow you to have answers to questions. I know, but it's his hospital, not yours, unless you want to get involved.)

For instance the refinance in 2003, where KVHD borrowed money to pay the total cost of premiums for the Cal Mtg. pseudo insurance. The savings annually were minimal, but happily Cal Mtg. got all their money up front. And they extended the debt too.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

According to finance manager Chet Beedle all his figures are ALWAYS correct. He has done nothing wrong. Even when CEO Tim McGlew asked on film about a small error, "remember Chet" the CFO emphatically said, "ABSOLUTELY NOT."

That may not be exactly true as now even the locals who know little of the intricacies of healthcare finance, found a $75,000 error which is on film, as the CEO, somehow found it after six months of asking.

But what makes the error so intriguing, is that it was in June of 2010, and was about to slip away in the fiscal year begining in July, therefore it would never have been found. So, they have some extra money?

What and where will we find this extra money and does everyone deserve a bit as it was about to disappear? And we have extra money from HFS the management company who did a small audit and according to Tim McGlew, only charged 37,000,, not the original $75,000.

Dr. Robert Gross DO, told the public there were "giant holes" in this report which had to be repaired by those on the finance committee. (which is strange because the finance committee didn't seem to fix any of the other holes or problems: they must have been inspired)

Gross elaborated on the performance of HFS, the company which found the problems at Sierra Kings District Hospital in Reedley caused by KHVD former CEO, Pamela Ott. Ott got into the GOB money from that area as well as using employee pension funds these workers will now never realize after their years of work.
(I wrote a letter of apology for our sloppy, inadequate, response to the CEO with her false credentials to "The Reedley Exponent" newspaper as this town let her go to destroy another town rather than manage our own problems. I know none of you meant it...so I apologized for you)

Back to HFS and their disasterous "review" of the hospital. Gross was explaining the reason he would not vote in HFS for a strategic planning company was that if he could not trust they do the tiny job of reviewing hospital finance, that he would not allow them to be in charge of the future of the district.

Makes sense, if only it were true. Duped again Doc.

I will post the transcript of this from the meeting and you will see that the CFO and CEO responded in an almost nonsensical manner after Gross made his statements. My sense is Dr. Gross may have been slightly mislead. Or he's a liar.

We can't do it by ourselves, Mommy

Strategic planning, Philps, the winner of the...contract who applied, according to Tim Mcglew on video, for a grant to get the job. McGlew said this initiative is what made him "recommend" the group for the job...what job?

There's two questions up in the air: why did Philps get the chance for grant money before they were even in front of the board members? And if as Chet Beedle said, they used SCHP monies to pay for Philps, the made a decision prior to a board vote. Oh, that's right, the board votes on things it knows nothing about, I forgot, sorry.

Then I've heard Philps is only the front runner not the strategic planning company, so more money will be expended.

Here at KVHD we have to accept these explanations or we are chastised. Sorry but these leaders never stretch the truth, such as the group of CEO's Tim Mcglew refers to as his barometer for small rural hospitals.

And when I complained about these new generic medications which don't even resemble the medications we were recieving happily and readily last year at Mt. Mesa Clinical Pharmacy, before it was reported closing before a financial report was ever concieved to decide.

Tim McGlew repeated what Chet Beedle had told me, that it wasn't their fault, it was "Cardinal Healthcare."

I guess it must be so. It's never their fault. Cardinal might have another take, but our people are completely honest and it must be that company who did it. Not our administration.

Oh, yeah, one more thing: you know that $800,000 Chet reported he recieved as part of the controversial AB1383? He knew it was coming when they put "Measure G" the tax hike on the ballot. All small hospitals got it, and they didn't have to do anything, yet on video Chet sure seems pleased. Maybe now we can be kinder to him and give him back his free housing as we don't want him commuting from Apple Valley where his family awaits and getting stressed out having to answer to precocious teenagers.

I wonder if we will ever see an attorney other than board counsel Scott Nave, and the bond counsel for the failed GOB?

We know Cal Mtg. is now doing something, but not the right thing. I think we need to look more into anything they are doing...or at least somebody should. I mean to keep us from our constitutional rights is rather strong wouldn't you say?

But then the KVHD board and administrators kept "all our financial options" outside of reach and only allowed what the "moral majority" I now call the "Fab Four" and the "darn it duo."

What laws?

Meeting: Wed. 5:30 pm in hospital cafeteria next door to nursing home dining room. Have fun!

If you can Prescribe it: then you should be able to handle the results

The prescription pad doctors

As the last post on the blog showed, I have been again in a position of being given "medications" in an improper manner, resulting in a heart condition which has yet to be explained because of a series of unfortunate events beginning at Sienna Wellness Center owned by Dr. Robert Gross and partner Dr. Gary Finstad.

Could these events been different had there been some significant education and lack of judgment? I'm sure of it.

Are the people willing to take responsibility? Not as of yet.

My personal story

I recognize this is my personal story, not part of the usual "KVHD under Fire" fare, but it was explained to me by "professionals" outside this valley, what has happened to me over the last week and even the last several months.

And due to the fact it is a safety issue, it has been reported to the FDA Medi-watch line which monitors the use of certain drugs and the application of healthcare personnel and emergency rooms who don't correctly utilize these "drugs" and do not follow up.

I'm going to write a series while I recover which may help others avoid totally relying on what their physicians and their assistants offer as advice.

I accept my responsibility

The first way to gain understanding and have your dignity is to find and accept your responsibility in any and all situations: even the bizarre hierarchy in AMERICAN medicine today.

I can't force anyone else to do the same, in fact, it seems there's more of a volley ball game going on than any show of true character and compassion. When things go wrong, doctors run.

They put on those jogging shoes and hit the road if they find you are not responding to their "prescriptions" and vilify and victimize those they cannot diagnose, the one "percenter's," as WE are sometimes called.

Eight days and nights of excruciating pain

Sorry, I did not explain in my previous blog, but it certainly is descriptive of the condition I am in and working very hard on my own to find the information to help myself or the aid of others who have the compassion and knowledge.

More than a week ago, I woke up early to heart palpitations, as my body had been through quite a lot of stress, breaking teeth with my car door at the August KVHD board meeting. (however, I finished the meeting, blood trickling down my face)

Due to my intolerance of many medications, doctors who rely solely on prescription pads are often little or no help. And more likely going to cause more damage.

We have a serious problem coming, and it's the doctors who flee when a medication goes bad.

After deciding to treat my pain, a year and a half ago, I have been put through the ringer of bad advice, insensitivity to the issues of necessary refills, anxiety that "withdrawal" symptoms will occur, and a general laziness of education of how to know when a drug is not working, but instead harming the patients, me, you, your children, your parents, etc.

But I have been labeled a "drug seeker" by some who are quite dense and cannot understand that I have bags of drugs at home I never took due to "discretion."

When the prescription pad is scrawling out all sorts of things from laxatives to anything new on the market with more side effects than the condition itself, it's time to stop and STAY SAFE.

Here in the Kern River Valley

We have little in the way of selection of doctors, and specialists are all out of town, or sometimes come up once a month or so to quickly go through a heavy load of patients hoping for some personal communication with someone they RESPECT and TRUST.

It's just not here for most of us, and especially those such as me, who question, speak up, and have had every patient right violated while I've attempted to recover since I arrived here, sick, in 2003.

Send them away or mollify us

Those they cannot diagnose in an hour, are sent away for other doctors to interpret, and sometimes the results of lack of communication are devastating between doctors.

After struggling with the drug, "Methadone" a favorite of the local doctors for pain control, I was sent to a pain clinic in Bakersfield run by a "guy" called Dr. Ashok Parmar as my doctors did not, as they said, have this special ability to deal "Doctor Dope." You will be hearing that phrase from me for a long time to come.

If you are a junkie, you can go to Dr. Parmar, and apparently he will fill your car up with multiple medicines children or the eldery and ill could easily overdose from. I met another person going to this man for his care for pain. The amount of medicine he has stored up are "FOR SALE."

That's right, Dr. Parmar, and many others are sending heavy duty drugs to the streets under the auspices of "pain management."

Listen Dr. Parmar, I believe from India, has risen to a huge new building, wearing new suits and ties, and has a great thing going: his customers can't leave or they will be in the shoes I have been wearing for a week: painful and dangerous withdrawal.

Not once did this doctor educate me on the risks. At one point he was so unprofessional he plopped onto the examination table, while I looked on from a chair, as he said to me, thick with accent, "you don't like to take drugs do you?"

What did that mean? Hell I don't know. I only want to take what I have to so that I may function.

Stopped functioning

As Dr. Parmar, becoming more resistant to the fact I wouldn't take all his drugs, I asked about a drug which in my opinion should only be used for terminal patients. he prescribed it. My regular hometown doctor's assistant didn't follow it, and knew nothing of this new 24 hour acting pain reliever, though I alerted him immediately.

New to the market of drugs, drugs, drugs, even "The Drug Store" in Kernville hand't heard of it.

EXAGOL is its NAME' O

I took this drug and found myself with a very low pulse, in the 30's and 40's. Dr. Parmar, who has moved into a large building on Brimhall, after protesters besieged his former place of business claiming he would not pay decent salaries to those behind the scenes workers.

Well, he left them behind and has really got himself a "legal crackhouse" in my opinion.

He didn't follow my chart, collected no detailed information, offered no education, did not correspond with my GP and then put me in withdrawal...twice. I metered the doses by myself to avoid the painful cessation which occurs and can harm your heart and mind.

He dished it out, but can't take it.

KVHD Emergency Room response

When I stopped by to see what the thumping was about in my chest last week, my pulse was slow. The doctors on duty knew nothing of the drug I was taking, or had just tried, prescribed by Dr. Parmar.

They brought in the knowledge of "poison control" and they did not have all the details and recommended to the nurse and doctor to administer a drug called NARCAN. That drug is specifically used on those who are unconscious, in "respiratory distress" from too many opiates. But my distress was not respiratory and the drug was unknown.

Last thing I really remember, was a "great nurse" whom I respect talking to poison control on a cell phone. They told him to add a "drop" which is an unmetered dose into my IV and see what happens.

Stop here: there is a protocol for many older drugs, but the EXAGOL was not among them, according to the FDA.

NARCAN is short lived, an opiate antagonist, but EXAGOL is long lasting. There is great risk to do something like this, but between the KVHD doctors and poison control it was administered to me. Within less than a minute, no warning to me to prepare for the pain of my life, I was screaming and up in the air clutching my chest.

I thought I'd died or was dying. I'm still going through this, on this ninth day.

Then as the "experiment" didn't work, as my heart rate fell even lower, I was hit with things and next thing I know it's evening and I'm being transported...to a scary situation in Bakersfield and my regular doctor doesn't even follow up.

Upon leaving the hospital in Bakersfield, I saw my primary physician, who made remarks such as "does she have a gun?" He came in with a junior whom he tried to look like he was training. I had my own assistant with me too.

This physician looked up the drug and the recommended steps to "come off of it" and an hour later I found out he was incorrect, or his information was incorrect. He said to titer down from the top of the dose then just "drop off" when it's half way down.

Not knowing what he was talking about in an experiential way, I spoke with several people in the rehab industry who told me it was the opposite, and I, the lowly patient, even know that from experience. So, should this doctor, a PA, be giving this sort of advice? Probably not in my opinion.

Part Two: Pain Mgt. creating new drug addicts, rehab seeing more and more doctor created addicts