The Day After the Announcement

At this point after yesterday's announcement regarding the potential alliance between WMHS, Meritus and Frederick, the reaction seems to be somewhat subdued.  The political types say that they are supportive, and the local media did a nice job in reporting the story in each community.  The staff at WMHS seem to be surprised with the choice of partners, but at the same time are intrigued.  The medical staff reaction seems positive, but there is always concern in the "what about me category," which we will continue to address.  The business community seems very supportive of the alliance.  We will see how this all plays out, but it is very exciting as we work to position our health system for the future. 

I will be traveling next week and attending a number of meetings out of town.  My blogging may be sporadic during the week.  Have a great weekend.

Exploring A Potential Alliance

Today, the Western Maryland Health System Board gave their approval to the formation of an exploratory group consisting of representatives of WMHS, Frederick Regional Health System in Frederick, Maryland and Meritus Health in Hagerstown, MD to examine ways in which the three health systems could possibly work together.  Health care is changing quickly and dramatically.  Each health system feels that a potential alliance may be the best way to meet the many challenges and still preserve viable health care in each community.  Below is a press release that was issued today.  I will continue to blog from time to time on the progress that is made over the next six to nine months.

Three Maryland Hospitals Announce Strategic Discussions for Potential Alliance

Three independent Maryland health systems announced today the signing of a memorandum of understanding to enter into strategic discussions of collaboration and affiliation.  Chief executive officers of Frederick Regional Health System, Meritus Health and Western Maryland Health System and their respective boards of directors have agreed to study and discuss opportunities that will allow each organization to enjoy continued success in meeting the challenges of the current and future health care environment.  

Barry P. Ronan, President and CEO of Western Maryland Health System, explains, “We are three not-for-profit organizations that are deeply -rooted in our communities.  We share a common set of values, with rich traditions of service and support, and we are exploring ways to work together to continue to best serve the health needs of our communities.”

The proposed alliance would provide a sound business structure for developing new services and improving infrastructures. Joseph P. Ross, President and CEO of Meritus Health, states, “We are beginning discussions that will focus on our shared vision of clinical collaboration, physician services, support services and shared resources to enable us to deal successfully with today’s health care challenges.  Some of the issues our organizations must manage include health reform, the next fiscal cliff and financial pressures on both a national and state level, and the intensified health needs of an aging population.”

Thomas A. Kleinhanzl, President and CEO of Frederick Regional Health System, adds, “The forces shaping health care are challenging for independent community hospitals and many are creating alliances for continued stability.  Our collective goal is to explore options in order to maintain high quality and cost-effective health services for our communities.” 

The group will undertake a feasibility study with the Berkeley Research Group (BRG) that will explore the merits of affiliation and collaboration of the three health systems.  It is expected to take several months to receive a final recommendation.

                                                                                               

Frederick Regional Health System operates health care facilities and services in Frederick County, Maryland, including Frederick Memorial Hospital.  Meritus Health operates health care facilities and services in Washington County, Maryland, including Meritus Medical Center.  Western Maryland Health System operates health care facilities and services in Allegany County, Maryland, including Western Maryland Regional Medical Center.

Now, For What To Watch On TV

Yesterday, I blogged about excessive violence from Hollywood and its influence, along with a host of other contributors, to our extremely violent society.  If you would like to watch the complete antithesis of violence on TV and be thoroughly entertained by exceptional acting, amazing costumes and beautiful scenery, then watch Downton Abbey, a Masterpiece Theater contribution from England on PBS.   The series is in Season 3 here in the US, but I am told it is Season 5 in England.  Rent or buy Seasons 1 and 2and the first three episodes of Season 3.  Start at the beginning with episode one of Season 1; it will help immensely.  I have been thoroughly entertained so far with the aristocracy upstairs and the extremely enjoyable story lines, personalities and antics of the servants downstairs.  Downton Abbey is on PBS every Sunday at 9 PM.  The previous week's episode then is shown on Sunday at 8 PM.  Season 1 is a little slow in starting but it picks up pretty quickly.  Enjoy!

Absurd Violence

OK, so last night I needed to do something other than work so I turned on the TV.  I happened to watch two shows back to back on Fox that were the most violent shows that I have ever seen.  The first was "Bones" and it was about a serial killer who tortured and then skinned his victim alive.  Not one of my favorite shows, and now I know why.  The second show was a new show "The Following" with Kevin Bacon.  I really didn't know what the show was about only that it was starring Kevin Bacon and I like him as an actor.  Now that show is one that I won't watch going forward--there will be no "following" by me.  It's about a mass murderer who has established a cult and they will pretty much kill people in the most violent, vicious ways possible week after week. 

The problem that I have is why does Hollywood get a pass on extreme violence?  Even the commercials during both shows were for upcoming movies that feature explosions, the firing of lots of automatic weapons, killings on top of killings.  But yet, Hollywood is boycotting the movie "Zero Dark Thirty" because terrorists were water-boarded in an effort to capture Osama bin Laden.  Give me a break!!! We are pretty much focusing on gun control to address today's violence; talk about missing the boat. 

What about mental illness and that so little is being done to address it? Funding is cut year after year and the rights of those who are severely challenged mentally seemed to be relaxed repeatedly.  Then there are video games; where is the policing in that industry?  In an effort to really address the violence in this country, we need a much more comprehensive approach and deal with all of the above, not just gun control.  We are so good at dealing with a fraction of a problem and then patting ourselves on the back while telling everyone what a great job that we did.

Meeting the Challenge of Health Care Change Part 2

On Friday, I blogged about how we are going to share information as to the changes in health care by using the Meeting the Challenge of Health Care Change mantra.  In Sunday's local newspaper there was an editorial that fits into our meeting the challenge initiative.  The editorial was entitled, "More doctors are losing their independence" by Nat Hentoff.  I wanted to make sure that our community knows that the environment is different in Cumberland.  Nat paints all hospitals with a very broad brush in his editorial; it's not very flattering nor is it accurate.  In Cumberland, physicians have chosen to either to remain independent or join the health system.  If a physician chooses to be employed by WMHS, we will work with him or her to accommodate their desire to work for us.  We do not, however, buy practices as Nat writes in his editorial piece.  In addition, many local independent physicians have chosen to give up their hospital practice and dedicate themselves to an office practice exclusively.  We have worked with them to achieve their goals.  As a result, we have been forced to expand our hospitalist program in order to care for their patients when they are hospitalized. 

In addition, Nat pretty much takes on the industry related to the economic changes that are occurring. As I have blogged in the past, the cost of health care is unsustainable.  Throughout his editorial, Nat is placing all that is changing in health care squarely on the shoulders of hospitals.  Changes in health care, especially the cost, are being driven from a variety of sources, primarily federal and state government, a host of other regulators / influencers, payers and also from within hospitals.  We are making many changes in how we do business in an effort to comply with the changes being driven to get cost of the US health care system.  We are now being paid differently.  The model is no longer based on volume of services provided; it is now based on the value of the care provided.  We will continue to treat patients in the most appropriate setting whether that is in the hospital or in an alternate location such as a clinic, diagnostic center, a physician's office or at home.  Mr. Hentoff's closing paragraph of his editorial piece finally gets to the source of the issue, however misplaced his thinking may be, by applying his First Amendment rights at the polls to protest the end of physician independence.

Meeting the Challenge of Healthcare Change

Like other hospitals and health systems across the country, we are changing how we deliver care to meet the goals of healthcare reform.  We have implemented many new programs and services and we are starting to see the results—we are providing better care, keeping our patients healthier, and lowering the cost of providing care. 

Today, we had a kick-off event to give employees an opportunity to share what they are doing to meet the challenge in their areas with our Community and Marketing team.  This information will be incorporated into the materials we will be sharing with our community.  We’ll be featuring our employees, physicians, volunteers and board members in our advertisements and on our website. 

We are proud of our accomplishments so far, and we want our patients and the community to know that we are changing to meet the goals of healthcare reform and to serve them for years to come.

Another Medical School for Maryland

The University of Maryland - Baltimore, Salisbury State University, the University of Maryland - Eastern Shore are coming together with Peninsula Regional Medical Center to form a third medical school in Maryland.  It's about time because hospitals and health systems across Maryland, primarily in the more rural areas, struggle daily with physician recruitment with little help from the existing medical schools in Maryland.  Residents coming out of training in Maryland either remain in the central Maryland region or move out of state.  The last resident from a Maryland program whom we were able to recruit to WMHS was over a dozen years ago; we have far greater success with WVU. 

This initiative to build another medical school in Maryland was explored with the leadership at the University of Maryland - Baltimore and WMHS this past summer; however, the Eastern Shore initiative was already in the planning stages.  Personally, I think this is great news.  It's not only another source to recruit physicians from, but the concept has great potential.  Dr. Perman, the President of UMB,started a similar initiative in rural Kentucky when he was dean of the University of Kentucky's medical school and he is attempting to model that concept in Maryland.