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Show Letters to Editor THE SAN JUAN RECORD Wednesday, April 5, 2000 - Page 7 (continued from page 6) but no results were evident. Requests for the addition of stan- dard of care equipment and medications were met with the response that this is a rural hospital you cant expect those things here." I STRONGLY DISAGREE! Standard of care guidelines were established to ensure consistent quality care across the industry. Yes, it would mean that funds would need to be spent on equipment and training. The pay-of- f would be an increase in the confidence of the community as they realized that trusted care COULD be obtained in San Juan County. Increased utilization of the hospital would lead to increased revenue. This vote of confidence would be enticing to health care professionals looking to relocate to a rud ral, community. What does this leave for the community? It appears to me that the shell of a health care system is all that remains. San Juan Hospital has great potential. However, at this point in time, it is impossible for me to be a part of it. My personal commitment to provide competent care is much too compromised for me to risk my license. It would obviously be politically expedient for me to resign quietly and continue my nursing practice elsewhere. This is too important an issue to just walk away the ostrich approach" will only support the status quo. This situation will not improve until the people of San Juan County become aware of the working philosophy of their health care provider and demand the quality to which they are entitled. It will take a concerted effort to effect the necessary changes that will lead to growth. Hopefully the leaders of this community will work together to improve this situation. Deb Sprague, RN Bluff - family-oriente- - CORTEZ CAMERA serving you in two convenient locations Cortez Camera 1740 E Main Cortez, CO cameras binoculars films & supplies one hour processing 35 mm & APS reprints & enlargements portrait studio black & white processing & San Juan Record 49 S Main " Monticello photo processing & & delivery reprints color & blackwhite films pick-u- p enlargements Kodak Copy Print Station single use cameras 251 N. MAIN MONTICELLO 587-275- GENERAL STORE 2 open 24 hours DAILY SPECIALS (includes fries and 32 oz. drink) iTRAIUSIDeiSAUUJES Daylight Savings Time Public forum for private Issue is inappropriate the County, more of those tients will stay. Ms. Schildmeyer knows full into response to the lengthy dis- well that an investigation Editor in the Blue Mountain course submitted by Ms. her accusations, whether they have merit or not, is ongoing. Panorama published March 8, Schildmeyer. To begin with, the issue of The District, however, refuses 2000. The letter, from Attorto conduct the investigation in ney Susan Schildmeyer, asked professional credentialing and forum because priwhy her clients. Dr. Stephen the receipt of the hospital the public are involved and vate issues MacArthur and Michele privileges are private matters Ms. Schildmeyer Lyman, do not have hospital for those seeking them, and litigation by should not be aired in the me- is threatened. Additionally, it privileges at San Juan Hospidia, despite Ms. Schildmeyers is clearly inappropriate and a tal.) attempt. The credentialing breach of her ethical obligaDear Editor: process includes or involves tions for Ms. Schildmeyer to The introduction of Susan personal and professional in- discuss in a public forum the Ms. pending litigation involving about Schildmeyers letter, where formation Donna Singer. The District is she acknowledges that norSchildmeyers clients. Both the applicants and Ms. looking into how it should admally lawyers do not write letters, is absolutely true. In Schildmeyer have been noti- dress the unprofessional confact, the ethical rules by which fied about the deficiencies in duct. Finally, the only construclawyers are supposed to abide the applications and the need tive statement made in the prohibit lawyers from publicly to provide additional informadisseminating information of tion, such as proof of current entire letter came in the last the type and for the purpose training. The District simply sentence: help us create a will not address Ms. positive change... That is precontained in her letter. Ms. Schildmeyer should Schildmeyers list ofrhetorical cisely what the District is atknow this and the fact that she questions and inaccurate rentempting to do and with conviolated her professions rules ditions of fact relating to Dr. tinued support of our employof ethical conduct, and then MacArthurs application for ees and citizens of San Juan County, the positive changes placed an advertisement on privileges. Ms. Schildmeyer has filed a that are occurring will conthe same page, shows poor tinue. taste, questionable ethics, and formal Notice of Claim indicatWhat does not help create a an unprofessional approach to ing her intent to sue the Disdealing with her clients is- trict and has also threatened positive change are letters to to sue the individual Board the editor from some lawyer in sues. Moreover the inaccuracies, lack of knowledge, specumembers, various District Salt Lake City or blatant atlation and hyperbole should be employees, San Juan County tempts by her to sabotage the and the County Commission- Districts plans to bring a new seen for what they are; an inept and unethical attempt to ers individually. The District physician to the County by try her case in the media and will respond to this Notice of submitting to the Utah Deto personally profit in the proClaim in an appropriate manpartment of Health - Bureau of Primary Care and Rural cess by inflaming the citizens ner, but not in the media. of San Juan County and The same is true for the in- Health Systems, a 182 page manufacturing for herself a accuracies relating to Ms. diatribe similar to her letter client base. Lyman and her application to the editor. Fortunately, her The Health District, its packet. The District has made attempt appears to have failed and the District will welcome Board and Administration, request for evidence of rea new physician to the County with the cooperation of others, quired training so the applicaincluding Dr. Mena and his tion packet can be complete. within three months. The District and its employattorney (who is not Ms. This is yet to occur. Further comment in this letter is inap- ees are not perfect, and all of Schildmeyer), have been dealthe problems and difficulties ing with the many issues that propriate. Ms. Schildmeyers belief that have evolved over time face the District in a professional, private manner, trying that 80 to 100 patients per have not been completely remto avoid the sort of hype Ms. month are leaving the County edied, but we are making Schildmeyer is trying to cre- for medical care; that decisions great strides in the right diate. Significant progress has the District makes is costing rection. Our goal is to conbeen made as evidenced by the it $80,000 to $100,000 per tinue to make positive month; and that her clients progress in improving the compliments and vote of support offered by both state and are without any flaw are noth- quality and availability of health care in San Juan federal compliance investiga- ing more than her inappropritors who have visited the Dis- ate attempt to generate conCounty, irrespective of the eftrict within the past two tempt for the District. Of forts of Ms. Schildmeyer to the weeks. course the District has pa- contrary. Cleal Bradford, CEO Though the District intends tients travel to other areas for San Juan Health Services to continue its practice of deala variety of reasons; all rural District facilities do, but as we work to ing with issues in an appropriate, professional manner, it improve the quality of care in note: This letter is in response to a Letter to the (Editor feels compelled to submit this lTITLEINSURAN6EGENey TITLE INSURANCE CLOSING ESCROW SERVICES SERVING SAN JUAN AND GRAND COUNTIES Daniel G. Anderson Glenna Oliver working for you Admission by BME or Kigalia memberships or $15 Family $5 Adult $3 Student Monticello High School If you wish to perform or know of others with outstanding talent, pa- contact Sandy Freestone at 425-587-25- 81 E 100 S MONTICELLO 755 NORTH MAIN MOAB FAX 435-259-69- 13 435-587-22- 435-259-33- 22 95 EMAIL: aolitleolasal.net |