Not-for-profits prosper so why isn't Floyd
The latest report from the financial side of Modern Healthcare shows that the majority of not-for-profit hospitals are prospering and the report further states that those that are not should be doing some serious soul-searching. It also talked about the S & P ratings and how they also continue to improve for these hospitals. [Not-for-profits prosper]
How good a year was 2005 for not-for-profit hospitals? Market conditions were so favorable to the sector that any hospital that performed poorly financially should probably do some serious soul-searching about the future.
Although there are "a whole host of smaller incremental issues" of concern to the sector, the favorable performance of recent years is continuing longer than anyone expected, said Martin Arrick, a managing director with S&P. "There is no catastrophic shock coming until at least the (next presidential) election," he said.
Arrick noted that at the same time that the financial performance of not-for-profit hospitals has been positive, credit trends have also turned positive this year and last.
For the first six months of 2006, S&P raised 24 ratings and lowered 20. More important, the sector reflected stability: 83% of the 265 rating actions during the period were affirmations, S&P noted. Upgrades have outpaced downgrades this year at Fitch, with 12 healthcare providers receiving upgrades year-to-date while only eight were downgraded. Fitch affirmed 63 ratings during that period.
Given the above reports, I continually strive to understand why our leadership at Floyd is allowed to continue on this downward financial trend.
It continues to be my belief that the decisions made and the relationships damaged by our current administration is harming our once excellent hospital.
How much lower do we have to sink financially before the needed changes are made?
How good a year was 2005 for not-for-profit hospitals? Market conditions were so favorable to the sector that any hospital that performed poorly financially should probably do some serious soul-searching about the future.
Although there are "a whole host of smaller incremental issues" of concern to the sector, the favorable performance of recent years is continuing longer than anyone expected, said Martin Arrick, a managing director with S&P. "There is no catastrophic shock coming until at least the (next presidential) election," he said.
Arrick noted that at the same time that the financial performance of not-for-profit hospitals has been positive, credit trends have also turned positive this year and last.
For the first six months of 2006, S&P raised 24 ratings and lowered 20. More important, the sector reflected stability: 83% of the 265 rating actions during the period were affirmations, S&P noted. Upgrades have outpaced downgrades this year at Fitch, with 12 healthcare providers receiving upgrades year-to-date while only eight were downgraded. Fitch affirmed 63 ratings during that period.
Given the above reports, I continually strive to understand why our leadership at Floyd is allowed to continue on this downward financial trend.
It continues to be my belief that the decisions made and the relationships damaged by our current administration is harming our once excellent hospital.
How much lower do we have to sink financially before the needed changes are made?
posted by Anonymous at 6:40 AM
40 Comments:
Why don't you just give it up!!
I don't give up because I am trying to save a good hospital and the wonderful employees.
Why don't you tell them about the financial situation at Floyd and what has happened with the Bond rating.
The predictions are coming true.
When was the last year we were on diversion in the middle of the summer as happened again last week?
What is going to happen in December and January when we don't have enough beds or staff and a financial situation where we cannot hire any more?
We'll blog on these topics in a few days.
I hope you spend as much time and effort worrying about your patients as you do about the good hospital and its wonderful employees. If FMH is going to rise or fall (fail) so be it. The building will still be there and I am sure someone can fill the current CEO's shoes and you will not have any worrys or concerns. Could one of the concerns be that the local Doctors are afraid that the hospital will privatize and they will lose what clout they now have. As the old saying goes "Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true"
I've been a Board Member for 4 years and I know the County Commissioners will not allow that to happen.
But if the County commissioners do not start appointing Board Members who will deal with the problems, the financial side could worsen until there are no options.
Physicians do not want that to happen.
Physicians also are not afraid of privatization. In fact, private hospitals understand the relationship issue and how it affects the bottom-line much better than this CEO.
I think what this is all coming down to, bottom line is the almighty dollar, and whose pocket it is going into. I would venture a guess that the "wonderful employees" at FMH are making more than the employees in your office, and probably better benefits. I have read the many complaints that you have posted, about your income decreasing and your cost of business increasing, but nowhere have I seen anyone trying to solve your problems. By dropping your patients insurance coverage you have chosen just to walk away and have it your way or none. I cannot see why someone of your stature finds it necessary to save the good hospital and wonderful employees from what you perceive to be an incompetent CEO. There surely has to be some malice or personal gain by continually harping on this subject. It seems like it has become an obsession. Like I have said I do enjoy reading your health articles. But this is your blog , and you can vent as much as you like, but I think you should change it from NA Health to The Incompetece of FMH CEO
We do not pay as well as the hospital, but are competitive with other primary care offices. We also continue to offer health insurance, a life insurance policy, and a 401K plan for our employees.
They basically have free medical services from us for their families and have access to medication samples if needed.
They also only work 9-5 monday-friday with weekends and holidays off. Hospital workers do not get this.
As far as the Hospital's success or failure, it really has little affect on my income. More than 95% of my revenue is generated by office work. I could admit to another facility if Floyd wasn't available or just send patients in and have a hospitalist take care of them. But I don't believe that is in their best interest.
Physicians have to begin standing up against insurance companies if we want to survive. The majority of my patients from United Healthcare have elected to stay with me and my colleagues even though we are out of network. I think that speaks for itself.
Kudos to you. Looks like you have your business under control. You did not address the pertinent question brought up by the anonymous 3:41 pm posting. The question of why the CEO has become such an obsession, and why you have become the spokesman for disgruntled hospital employees.
I believe the poster asked whether there might be a hidden agenda on your part. In your reply, I did not read any reference to that.
Make that "self-appointed" spokesman.
I think in my previous postings, I have stated very clearly that I do not believe this CEO can sustain the hospital financially because of how many bridges he has burned, poor decisions he has made, and relationships he has destroyed.
The predictions that have been made numerous times in the past are all coming to fruition.
If Floyd is to survive in this ever-changing environment, this hospital needs a leadership change.
I am the spokesmen because people trust me and feel that I look after the best interest of the hospital, physicians, and the employees. They are at the mercy of the CEO and his wrath and work in an environment of fear. The perceptions of many is that speaking out has caused employees to get fired.
Oh, Horse Feathers!! You are the "spokesman" only because you have appointed yourself that role. No one elected you, no one rallies around you and, frankly,you have been ineffective even in representing your own positions. You weren't successful in persuading hospital board members to vote your way while you were on the board and you weren't successful in getting the county commisioners to reappoint you. Before you criticize anyone else for personal relationship issues, you might want to take a long, hard look in your own mirror. You haven't a clue about working effectively with others.
Anyone can make predictions, and if you make them long enough and loud enough, some of them may come to past. How many Doctors walk thru the halls of FMH each day, I'm sure they all do not feel the resentment that you are feeling. There are several old cliche's that come to mind. One being "If you can't take the heat stay out of the kitchen". My thoughts are that the Doctors that are complaining are doing so because all the "new" Doctors being granted privileges to FMH are cutting into the pocket of many of the local Doctors. What would you prescribe if one of your patients came to you with an obsession, such as you seem to have developed concerning FMH and the CEO. If you are the Physician that you claim to be, you certainly can see by your postings that this is not a healthy attitude and environment for any person to subject themselves to daily. I may be a lay person but I would think that you might have a problem and it is not just concern of employees at FMH.
Well it is certainly obvious that our hospital administration and their spokespeople are back.
We'll ask again for the anonymous critics to identify themselves so the readers can really see why this administration is so poor.
Your anonymity continues to just validate the things that have been said and more and more people are seeing the light.
Keep up the comments. It is only causing more internal self-destruction in your administration.
You don't even know who you can trust anymore and are acusing each other of leaking information.
And your comments just validate that you lash out with charges that have no basis in fact. I have nothing to do with the hospital but I can sure recognize a terrorist zealot when I see one. You are nothing more than a local version of a bomb thrower who destroys things in order to make his own personal point. Grow up and develop some maturity. You are embarrassing yourself.
I am not a part of the Administration that you continue to lash out and criticize with such vengeful posting. I am a Taxpayor that believes if things are as bad as you proclaim, surely someone in town would know about it besides you,the employees and the Doctors (as per your claim )that have such disdain for the present Administration and the activities at FMH. Could you direct me to any other Blogs that might address these issues. If not it leaves me to wonder as the old saying goes "Who died and put you in charge".
HB, Today is Wednesday, I assume that you don't have office hours, in reference to your quick reply to some of the comments on this Blog. If you do, I would hope you are taking care of business and not leaving your patients sit in the waiting room. If you do not it would be much less frustrating to be out on the golf course, then trying to defend yourself on this blog. :>}
There have been ample facts presented over the last several months. The financials speak for themselves as well as the many other indicators that have continually been under the administrations stated goals.
Accountability will continue to be a problem until we have Commissioners willing to appoint Board members based on qualifications and not as political or personal favors.
Until that time occurs, I will continue to speak up.
If you are just taxpayers then give us your identities, otherwise you have no basis for legitimacy.
We know better!
I have read this blog with great amusement over the last weeks. It is incredibly entertaining. But let me give some actual facts and perception from someone who is an employee at FMHHS.
First, I am not a member of administration. I am not even a member of management. I'm just an employee serving my community.
Second, I have worked at three hospitals in the local area over the years. I have also worked for large private doctor's office and I can state this for a fact. Never have I felt more appreciated, more respected and more cared for than I do at FMHHS. And guess what? If I have ever been treated poorly it was by a physician, ALWAYS from a physician, not EVER from anyone in administration. I have never worked in such an open atmosphere where administration readily and on a regular basis, asks my opinions, listens and genuinely takes my and other employee suggestions to heart.
I don't know who these employees you talk to are, because I am literally all over the hospital throughout the day and everyone I talk to loves to work at FMHHS.
I find it incredibly convenient how you completely disregard the fact that FMHHS was just voted, BY ITS EMPLOYEES, in an ANONYMOUS SURVEY one of the top 10 places to work in Indiana. I have referred numerous friends and family members to FMHHS and will continue to do so.
Dr. Dan, I resign from being a reader of your blog, you're just beginning to bore me now.
HB,I suggest that you go to the following website. There is a wonderful message for all.
http://www.mayyoubeblessedmovie.com
Whether you know who the anonymous posters are should not make any difference in what they have to say. I too have read this blog for many weeks. I and anyone else that reads it can see what your intent is. It is to remove the CEO of FMH. That and that alone, nothing more or nothing less. By your own statements it shows what your attitude is, just because you are Dr. Dan your opinions are no better than an anomymous poster. I do notice that you will switch the focus elsewhere when asked specific questions by many of the
comments on this blog. Like the 1st. comment on this thread said "Why don't you just give it up.", I might add "get over it", anyone that has any common sense at all that reads this Blog can fully see you have your own personal agenda. On the other hand, I also liked the posting by someone that said "If you have facts present them to someone that can do something about it." Since I have not seen an attempt to do that, it also shows a lot about your legitimacy.
RE: "If you have facts present them to someone that can do something about it."
Well, you see Dr. Dan has a really big problem in getting any responsible party to pay attention to him. I mean, really--who would pay attention to someone who presents the following scenario and expects to have it changed:
1. He says, the current CEO is a disaster and is destroying the hospital.
2. The current CEO has been in position for about 16 years.
3. Dr. Dan recommends that patients use Floyd because it is "still the best" hospital in the area.
4. Dr. Dan has stated several times on this blog that he doesn't like the CEO.
For crying out loud!! You don't need an advanced degree in psychology to recognize a vindictive obsession when it smacks you in the face like that.
diogenestrainee Amen you said it all!! Just wonder how long before Dr. Dan shuts down the anonymous posters!!!!
Oh Brother. Dr. Eichenberger you are right, it does seem as though the hosp admin is back.
HB is not going to shut down the anoymous posters, he knows the majority of us agree with him. Even if we didn't, I know he will stand up for what is right.
Good Job Dr. Eichenberger!
Which "majority" is that? The majority of the hospital board which didn't support him? The majority of the county commisioners who didn't reappoint him? The majority of the medical staff which has NOT supported his positions? The vast majority of the employees who responded to a survey that then designated Floyd as one of the best places to work in Indiana?
Or could it just be a majority of the chronic whiners, the poor performers and the disappointed promotion seekers who like having someone tell them that it isn't their fault that they aren't doing better in their careers?
I believe the recent remarks by HB would be interputed as showing signs of paranoia. LOL
Should have said interpreted, my typo.
The AA meeting must have ended early today.
Correct me if I am mistaken, but wasn't Dr. Dan on the hospital board when "THAT...MOST DYSFUNCTIONAL PIECE OF ARCHITECTURE EVER DEVISED" was being built? How did he let that happen?
Could it be that the local Doctors are afraid that the "newcomers", Doctors that have just finished their schooling and are much more educated as to new and innovative
treatments and much more up on the new methods of healthcare than a lot of the "old timers" that didn't try to educate themselves any further than getting their degree years ago? Maybe these Doctors are just angry that they don't carry as much clout as they once did. Some might say experience is better, maybe so, but lets face it times have changed and you can't rely on that alone anymore. There are way too many options when it comes to healthcare. People have way more access to information nowdays and they also have enough information to make better judgement when making selections in receiving healthcare. Doctors that put up their shingle when they get out of medical school, then do nothing to further their education are going to get lost in the pack because like everything else progress is being made daily,
in medicine, and all forms of treatments for healthcare problems. Could it be that many of the disgruntled local Doctors are among the ageing, and resent the more innovative services offered by FMH and its current CEO. I have noticed that the pictures on the wall at FMH of all the Physcians who have privileges has certainly increased in the past several years. Someone must be doing something right, because if not I would think new Doctors would not even bother to walk thru the doors.
I also find it humorous that anyone would think it would make an ounce of difference if you knew who the anonymous posters were. What difference would it even make.
Blogs are normally used for stating opinions. I don't demand you believe my views and statements just because I say so, just as noone need expect me to take anyone else's word as gospel.
To Dr. Sonne, I am sorry your Mother had to sit in the waiting room for 2 hrs. But, you failed to mention was the waiting room and ER full that day? If so, maybe she had to wait her turn just as any other citizen would have been required to do. This is what is bad about blogs, you only read one side of a story, and unfortunately, there is almost always 2 sides to any disagreement.
Dr. Sonne, I'm sorry to hear of your Mother's illness and her two hour wait in the ER, but try this one on for size. My 82 year old father came by ambulance to the hospital only to be left in a bed in the ER for 15 hours. They were supposedly looking for a room upstairs as they were going to admit him. He was seen by the ER doctor and someone called in an "EM" specialist doctor. I was there for 15 hours too. I never saw the "so-called specialist" they called in for "observation". To make a long story short, he was never admitted, the specialist sent a $400 bill, the ER doctor sent his bill and so did everyone that passed by my Dad's door. He ended up paying a good sum of all the bills as his insurance and Medicare wouldn't pay because he wasn't there 23 hours. To you, this amount would probably have been pocket change, but not to us. So, see, it could have been worse.
I have also been lucky enough to wait 6 hours sitting in the waiting room before being seen by a doctor.
Dr. Sonne, I noticed you said 90% of Floyd County Doctors.
That tells me alot about the problems that has been discussed on this blog. What about the many new Doctors that have been granted privileges to FMH? Does their opinion count???
Runaway doc, come on now are you suggesting that everything in New Albany should be status quo. If that be the case you would be using a horse and buggy and making house calls. There have been times when I too longed for the good old days when my Doctor called me by name when they walked in to the examining room without looking at the chart to see who I was. I agree with the poster that said people are more educated nowdays and are able to make some decisions for themselves about healthcare and every other service that they pay for. This is no way meant to discredit anyone, but it does require that the people charging for services be held to a higher standard. People that got a degree in computer science years ago, that have not had continuous
classes thru the years will be the first to verify this fact. I believe the same applies to any profession. Physicians included.
For the anonymous posters and critics. Your understanding of the current requirements to maintain privileges and a license is severly lacking. Your comments further display the complete lack of knowlege that you have regarding healthcare.
Physicians have no problems with new doctors. Most of us have more patients than we can see.
The personal attacks on Dr. Sonne are unwarranted, in poor taste and are very typical of how this administration responds to every physician complaint or concern. He was willing to put his name on the line as am I.
If the anonymous commenters cannot do the same, it again validates the thughts that they are or represent the administration.
Dr. Sonne's concern regarding his mother is a major patient care issue. Have you not seen the commercials about the importance of the first hour related to strokes and heart attacks. Triaging patients appropriately was his concern and it was sent to the Board.
Just as the attacks here, the CEO labled him as a troublemaker rather than addressing the problem
Poor Leadership!!
For the anonymous posters and critics. Your understanding of the current requirements to maintain privileges and a license is severly lacking. Your comments further display the complete lack of knowlege that you have regarding healthcare.
Physicians have no problems with new doctors. Most of us have more patients than we can see.
The personal attacks on Dr. Sonne are unwarranted, in poor taste and are very typical of how this administration responds to every physician complaint or concern. He was willing to put his name on the line as am I.
If the anonymous commenters cannot do the same, it again validates the thughts that they are or represent the administration.
Dr. Sonne's concern regarding his mother is a major patient care issue. Have you not seen the commercials about the importance of the first hour related to strokes and heart attacks. Triaging patients appropriately was his concern and it was sent to the Board.
Just as the attacks here, the CEO labled him as a troublemaker rather than addressing the problem
Poor Leadership!!
Re: "Triaging patients appropriately was his concern."
His concern about the way his mother was triaged is understandable. How he translates that error (assuming it was an error) into a condemnation of hospital management is kind of hard to see. Who does triage? Is the ER at Floyd routinely any busier (or more backed-up) than other hospital ERs in the area? I thought doctors are present in the Emergency Room.
I think the reaction to his comments had to do with the shotgun approach to criticizing everything from the architecture of the new building to employee pay to the frequency of bedding changes in patient rooms.
What you fail to appreciate is the amount of time and effort that physicians have tried to make changes and seeminly it falls on deaf ears because the same problems continue to occur. Triaging has been a problem because lack of staffing. Lack of staffing is directly related to administration and the current poor financial situation
We don't expect you to understand the frustration since you have not been through it. But that does not mean it doesn't exist.
RE: "Triaging has been a problem because lack of staffing. Lack of staffing is directly related to administration and the current poor financial situation."
I am by no means an expert on Emergency Room care, but I don't think you are either. Since neither your nor Dr. Sonne was there at the time, I don't know how you can just assume that staffing was an issue in a triage mistake, if a mistake it was.
And you keep referring to this "poor financial situation." And yet, Floyd, based on what has appeared on this blog and in the newspaper has had better financial results than other hospitals in the region. Both Clark and Jewish have been mentioned in the paper as having operational losses within the past two years while Floyd has not. From what I have read, Floyd is actively recruiting staff just like every other hospital in this area and has staffing issues that are no different than virtually every other health care facility.
It looks to me like you are just jumping to conclusions that support your beliefs.
I believe it is wrong to make judgements regarding the complaint by Dr. Sonne, as someone said there might be other circumstances
involved. I have been in the emergency room when the ambulance drivers have brought a patient in, they take them into a room and stay until the patient is turned over to a physician, or someone with authority. We don't know how Dr. Sonne's mother arrived at the hospital. Did she walk in of her own accord? Did she refuse treatment until Dr. Sonne got there? Maybe she wanted to wait on Dr. Sonne before anything was done. I think its very unfair to pass judgement and criticism based on what is stated by only one involved party. I suppose that is why anyone reading these blogs might seem to think that you are very biased in your assesment of any shortcoming that may occur at FMH. A reasonable person would look at both sides of an issue before joining ranks with either an alleged victim or an accused defendent. This is no way to suggest that Dr. Sonne is not telling the truth, but it does merit stating that the whole story has not been published. We may be missing some of the facts pertaining to this incident.
I've waited been in Dr. Sonne's office for over THREE HOURS for a 3:00PM appointment, and after being seen, was discharged at 6:05 PM - he's always worth the wait, and my condition was not emergent; however, this is unacceptable to me.
Why does someone think that a poster be uninformed and ignorant if they happen to have a different view than the proprietor of this Blog. If everyone agreed with his posting, it would not be very interesting reading. If you object to other peoples views, you could always write in a diary, but that wouldn't get the message out about what some people perceive to be the rise and fall of FMH and its CEO. Like I said I am a taxpayor, with enough common sense to know that their is always 2 sides and maybe more to any disagreement. As I have stated we are only hearing 1 side. Is this unimformed or ignorant? I love the name calling, it shows the true character when someone stoops to such level. IMO the person in the last post might have had some good points but he blew it with his statement calling someone uninformed and ignorant.
bdmd, exactly do you not question why someone of Dr. E.'s standing is being so repugnant regarding the issues at FMH. There are many, many issues for Dr. Dan to devote his time and enegeries to. I know that he devotes a lot of time to various causes,this all seems to be soooo beneath him. You have to admit it seems like some personal vendetta.
I'm sure there are ways to address such issues in the proper venue.
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