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Show Hospital Department Heads Support Hospital Sale to HCA jii We, the 15 Department Heads of your hospital, S want to take this opportunity to let you know jj: some of the facts about our jobs, particularly as S they relate to the present discussions in regard to iji HCA purchasing the hospital. The following are S the most asked questions which we would res- pond to. We would also refer you to the Hospital's j: Board questions and answers in the April 2nd S Vernal Express where some questions have already been answered QUESTION: In the two years HCA has : managed the hospital, have there been im-5 im-5 provements that were not in effect before? RESPONSE: Many of us have been here for A some years before HCA and have continued ;: working at the hospital. Since HCA manage-:: manage-:: ment, we have experienced better working con-:: con-:: ditions, inservice training, increased com-:: com-:: munication, better processes to follow in the hospital which have increased the quality of pa-$ pa-$ tient care, more equipment for better and more extensive patient care. We have also appreciated S not only input and support from the county of- ficials but also from the hospital board S members. QUESTION: What can HCA give us that the county cannot? g RESPONSE: The county commissioners have :j stated many times that they don't know how to $ run a hospital and that they do not have the large capital for needed replacement and upgrading of equipment and providing new equipment needs. In the near future more new equipment will be needed as new technology provides more :-i sophisticated and complete equipment. We have to send people to Salt Lake now for some kinds of S testing procedures to even determine if a : hospital stay is necessary; if we had the equip-S equip-S ment, we could keep people in this community. S There are some major surgeries that could be S done here if we had the needed additional equip- ment and support staff to deal with the surgeries, : possible complications, and recoveries. HCA : does have this capital to expend in their owned v hospitals. The equipment then is the drawing card we need to attract needed professionals. QUESTION: If HCA buys, will patient prices go UP"? RESPONSE: Because HCA is a large corpora-: corpora-: tion, they are able to pass on discount rates on f. supplies which are then passed on to the patient. S For example, we know spend $60-70,000 a year on ?: x-ray film; we receive through HCA an 18.8 peril: per-il: cent discount on film. Other hospital supplies, S and equipment we get through HCA have a 20 to 45 percent discount. This discount is passed on to 5 you, the patient. Inflation plays a part in all our lives, of course, but our prices will remain as low A as possible, and we will have competitive prices with nearby hospitals. : QUESTION: Who controls hospital prices :S charged, hospital personnel wages, and doctor S fees? RESPONSE: All HCA hospitals have local autonomous control in determining hospital prices charged and hospital personnel wages. Of S course, they are competitive with other hospitals : in the local area in order to keep patients coming S for care and keep personnel. The local board, g consisting of local medical personnel, local pro-: pro-: fessionals in the community, and local con-3 con-3 sumcrs, set hospital prices and wages. In the last : year our staff has received good increases in wages through updating pay scales which com-pete com-pete with other hospitals in the area. As is every hospital in the nation the doctor fees are set by g the individual doctor and are not controlled by g the hospital, regardless of who owns it. QUESTION: There Is talk about HCA bring-g bring-g ing in foreign doctors and nurses. How does the $S staff feel about this. g RESPONSE: First of all, at times we have cx-g cx-g pcrienced being short staffed In some areas, as ::: many hospitals. We welcome anyone who is g licensed and qualified to come on board and help SI us deliver quality care. Our positions will not bo $ in jeopardy; we have professional standards g which we must and expect ourselves to meet, g and we expect the consumer to affirm and expect S high standards. If local or U.S. professionals cannot be found, we welcome foreign doctorsan nurses who meet the same high standards It licensing as those of the U.S. Since HCAmaffi-t ment at this hospital, we have experienced reduction in the turnover rate, the consistency personnel has upgraded efficiency. QUESTION: What will happen to the pate if HCA buys? We don't want to lose thatpersoi touch as some feel could happen in business RESPONSE: We are in the medical profess because we care about people and their bealt We had requisitions in for programs and neece additional equipment for 1981. At present, & 1 county isn't putting in the money needed fort because they haven't the capital and don't bw " about the pending hospital sale, and HCAwilx k ly put money in if it owns the hospital. We is r anxious to get this sale decision made precise,1. : in order to retumto paying the best attention t i: the patient. We need more medical persaat r. and staff in Vernl and therefore need HCA; r employee referral department to fill-out c z: staff needs. We need the equipment HCA has it s-capital s-capital to purchase in order to give quality pi f-tient f-tient care. We need HCA's special insenicepr- j grams to upgrade our skills as new technclcc p comes out. We need the discounts on supplies t keep our costs down and pass on to you. We to & appreciated that HCA has provided the nea t for us to give growing quality care to patients ' is our feeling that time is being wasted and e j,. of the patient could be improved by appren the sale to HCA and getting its full experts: fc delivering good health care. Some of us as rc here because of HCA Management and are 1m ing forward to the additional benefits for us z r. patients coming through purchase. HCAwil! paying substantial taxes to the county; these m' ty, who has stated they cannot manage i t, hospital, will be saving money previously: to the management contract; and there will be . up front monies for the badly needed niKi home facility. j QUESTION: Have other hospital pa3" t been asked how they feel about the sellings' hospital? f; RESPONSE: An Opinion Poll was sent ke all personnel asking them the following two tie tions: "We would appreciate your opinion HCA should or should not purchase the hpi do you have any questions you would i answered regarding changes in patient cares your status?". The poll sheet asked that sti put their names on their polls. 29 pers to return the questionnaire. On whether should purchase, 24 responded ) 5 undecided, and 3 responded no. On any ques-' regarding care and status, 19 had noqus-;. most of the questions had to do with retirment plan, credit union, vacatu surance, overtime policy, merit policy. Present benefits will be comps HCA proposed options which are then the local hospital board and hPulfL ; nel in Vernal will decide benefits. They tainly not be less than present. As citizens of this city and county, as n professionals and support staff heads, we are most concerned about pa . and continuing our work in ., Therefore, we urge you to support w Commissioners and Hospital Bosra tf them know vou approve of tfl0ir inlffvf I hospital to the Hospital Corporation . , Department Heads of the Hospi1: j. Dave Carroll. Accounting Steve Stokes, Business tw Ruth Searle. Dietary George Prasinos, HouseW" Sherry Stettlcr, I,sprvf. 0 Adreana McPomiM. Infffl"1' Fred Smith. Lab Gary Fountaine. Maintop Carolvn Cook. Mrtl hT HonF.nloe. Physical Thor.ipy l.vnne Gagon, Nursing S George Osmond. rluirm0 Jay Thomas. Kadiologv I Jonl lloff, Respiratory TW't- Dave lAx-sch. IMrvhasii sP,u'e 1"il1 for Ry Otixons Supporting Sale of Uintah County Hospital. v-:x::::-: |
