In a Tuesday conference call regarding Universal Health Services' quarterly earnings, Chief Financial Officer Steve Filton reportedly said that Southwest Healthcare has sent a letter to the U.S. Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services informing the federal officials of changes it intends to make at two local hospitals. That news may satisfy investors, but not the people living near the company's troubled hospitals in Southwest County.
The chief executive officer of Southwest Healthcare has resigned and a new CEO has been transferred from Corona Regional Medical Center ---- another facility of the UHS empire. Suddenly, lyrics from The Who come to mind: "meet the new boss, same as the old boss; then I'll get on my knees and pray we don't get fooled again."
Former Southwest Healthcare CEO Dennis Knox set a great example for the board of directors to follow by resigning his post. The public awaits a similar act of responsibility from Southwest's board of directors, which is chaired by Joan Sparkman.
The next step in rehabilitation is to bring in instructors from California State University San Marcos. In a quick search of the CSUSM website, I found "The Registered Nurse Refresher Program." Turn the hospital into a working classroom for two to four weeks and provide mandatory training for all hospital staff, from doctors to janitors.
Unless there is an immediate seismic improvement in management of the local hospitals, UHS should either voluntarily or mandatorily sell ownership of one or both hospitals to a competitor, the county or a university. The vacant Temecula hospital land must be sold in similar fashion to whatever entity can commit to begin construction utilizing the existing plans the soonest.
The corporation seems more interested in reassuring stockholders rather than the people of this community. I wonder if any executives at UHS would drive nearly 18 miles to avoid two local hospitals repeatedly found deficient by state and federal officials.
Corporate arrogance has put the health and welfare of our community in jeopardy. In the interest of public safety, legislative action may be required to break up the local hospital monopoly.
This area has deservedly gained a reputation for being a wonderful place to live and raise families in relatively safe communities. That reputation is threatened by a shortage in both the quality and quantity of local hospital care.
The business community has been searching for a name to capture the area known as Southwest County. Between our hospital situation and the threat of Liberty Quarry spewing particulates upwind of family communities, we could become known as California's New Death Valley.
PAUL JACOBS writes from Temecula. Contact him at TemeculaPaul@aol.com.
