Two Milestones Celebrated on One Day

I asked my wife if she had any plans for the celebration of today's milestones and, of course, she looked at me like I was crazy.  She asked what milestones? First, there is the 16-year anniversary of the formation of the Western Maryland Health System and secondly, the one year anniversary of my blog. 

As for the blog, it was inspired by Paul Levy's blog, Not Running a Hospital, which I thoroughly enjoy reading every day.   Overall, I like blogging about the health system, people, politics, leadership, aspects of my job and even my personal life.  There are days that it is difficult to come up with a topic to blog about, but that lasts only a few minutes.  I am never at a loss for words once that I settle on the topic.  I hope that you continue to find the blog interesting. 

As for the anniversary of WMHS, what an amazing 16 years.  The early years were significantly challenging; however, what we were able to accomplish has been nothing short of amazing.  Three hospitals in Allegany County into one system; an open heart surgery program that is one of the best in the State of Maryland; the region's largest employer and an employer of choice; an exceptional trauma center; a dedicated board; a great team of physicians; an amazing workforce; an exceptional management team; a new state-of-the-art hospital and the list goes on.  I hope that our region realizes how blessed they are to have the Western Maryland Health System.

Getting the Message Out

I have attached to my blog a link to the WMHS YouTube channel, where you can find our most recent TV commercials that are running locally in an effort to get our patients and staff to understand how health care is changing.  There are similar radio commercials running on the local airwaves, as well.  Our Marketing team is also tying print ads to the health care is changing theme and what it means to them.  We will then include a QR code in the print ad showing you can view the commercial on a smartphone by scanning the code.  Technology is amazing as is our team with their creativity and what they do for our health system. 

www.youtube.com/wmhscumberland

Unnecessary Medical Procedures

The other day, I read an article about the various medical groups releasing a list of tests and procedures that patients don't need yet are routinely performed by physicians.  The article is very timely as we have been identifying such practices at WMHS and asking our physicians why such a test or procedure is necessary.  If your respective physician board says that a certain procedure isn't necessary, then why are you doing it?  As our Chief Medical Officer says, "I have been trained as a medical oncologist, so teach me doctor as to why you need to practice differently in your area of specialty.”  The article said that ordering such tests is wasteful due to the cost and can be dangerous for the patient.  Such practices are also fraudulent.  For example, if you order a specific test on every patient before you take them to surgery whether they need it or not and bill Medicare, you are committing a crime.  That is frowned upon by the payors, especially Medicare, and will get both the physician and the hospital in trouble.  Most physicians get it by understanding the importance of not putting their patient, the hospital and themselves at risk.  We will continue to work on the others. 

I am officially on vacation so my blogs for next week may be sporadic during the week.  However, there are two milestones next week that I will blog about for certain.

Have a blessed Easter and Passover!

When is Enough Enough?

This past weekend, we had four intoxicated individuals show up in our ED.  Three were accompanying their friend who had a head injury.  All four were drunk, including the patient.  All of them were disorderly, threatening, angry and rude. I find it incredulous each day  as to what our staff is subjected to as they try to care for and treat a growingly ungrateful public.  Drunks are not new to the ED, but those who are abusive and threatening seem to be on the rise.  Our Security officers were assisted by City police officers in dealing with this situation that resulted in two of the four being arrested.  We have no choice in that we cannot turn patients away from the ED, especially one with a head injury.  However, it is important to note that we will have you arrested if you conduct yourself in a manner that is threatening to an already vulnerable staff.  I would be remiss if I didn't thank our Staff and the City Police.  We are so fortunate to have a very responsive City Police Dept and a very dedicated staff.

A Different Kind of Sacrifice for Lent

Many of my Catholic friends have given something up for Lent as they do during the Lenten Season year after year.  Being a former Catholic, the concept is not foreign to me; however, now being a Lutheran, my pastor takes a slightly different approach.  You can still sacrifice desserts, candy, cake, cookies, cigarettes or alcohol; however, you can also do something for someone or a group that you may not usually do.  So, I didn't give anything up this Lenten Season, but I have donated to Water Missions International.  In this day and age, it is hard to imagine that over 800 million people throughout the world do not have clean safe drinking water.  The number of children who die each day is staggering because of diseases associated with unsafe drinking water.  So if you haven't given up anything for Lent and you would like to make a difference, do something nice for someone or some group.  If you would like more information on Water Missions International go to www.watermissions.org.

Hot Topics Sessions for Our Docs

Yesterday at WMHS, we provided a physician and advanced practice professional education event called Hot Topics.  We chose eight different areas for physician / APP education.  Topics included the latest in Information Technology at WMHS, our expanded Observation Unit, our new Infusion Center, Performance Improvement Initiatives, Quality Initiatives, Use of Restraints, Advanced Directives and Care Management changes.  We offered three different opportunities throughout the day and into the evening for medical staff members to spent 30 minutes at the event and receive CME credits.  Why is such an event (that will happen at least quarterly) so important?   One of our physician members of the President's Clinical Quality Council said it best, "with all of the change that is here and coming in health care, the information that physicians need to know is like taking a drink from a fire hose."  We have used a similar approach to educate our physicians, but on  much smaller scale.   Usually in the medical staff lounge from time to time,  we will do a demonstration on a new IT program that will make their professional lives easier.  We simply expanded the approach with 8 topics consisting of a 5 minute target message at each booth.  Thanks to all who attended and organized the event.

We Are From The Government and We Are Here To Help

Over the weekend, I read that the IRS is moving forward with hiring 4500 IRS employees to enforce the new health care law.  For the "nominal" cost of $303 million dollars, the IRS will get 4000 agents for health reform enforcement.  The law requires all legal citizens of the US to have health insurance.  If you don't, you will be fined and it will be paid at tax time.  If you are a business with over 50 employees, you will have to demonstrate that you provide affordable coverage to your employees; if not, that's right, you'll be fined too.  This law is so complex that the IRS is saying that it could take years for them to understand the specifics in their entirety.  Reassuring, isn't it?  It reminds me of the State of Maryland a few years ago with its laws related to lead poisoned children.  Detecting, treating and caring for the kids became too costly so they decided to step up enforcement of fines and penalties.  They virtually ignored evolving sources of lead poisoning, such as schools, because it would cost too much to address.  And they criticize health care for how we run our hospitals and health systems.