Doctors Memorial Hospital - Part 3
A new modern facility with a history of management and monetary problems. What solutions are available for the betterment of health care in Taylor County? Each week I will post a specific question or comment for discussion concerning our hospital. I ask that your comments be civil and directed to the specific issue raised for that week. Should you have any questions that you feel should also be addressed beyond those presented forward e-mail them to me and they will be considered for future postings. DMH employees are welcome to participate with anonymity. The future of our hospital should be taken seriously by all of us and your input is valuable.
Part Three - The County Commission keeps the public informed by posting it's meeting dates & location, agendas, minutes and supporting documentation on their web site prior to each meeting thereby inviting public input and participation in the decision making process. If you will recall just last year, following pressure from the Commission, DMH agreed to amend it's bylaws and henceforth operate under the Sunshine Statute. With the recent infusion of millions in tax revenue into DMH the following questions are put forth:
Part Three - The County Commission keeps the public informed by posting it's meeting dates & location, agendas, minutes and supporting documentation on their web site prior to each meeting thereby inviting public input and participation in the decision making process. If you will recall just last year, following pressure from the Commission, DMH agreed to amend it's bylaws and henceforth operate under the Sunshine Statute. With the recent infusion of millions in tax revenue into DMH the following questions are put forth:
Questions:
1. Should DMH post on the web the date, time & place of it's board meetings along with the agenda and supporting documentation on matters before the board?
2. Should prior minutes of DMH board meetings be posted such as which occurs with the county commission?
3. As DMH is a county institution should the above postings be put on the County Commission web site or that of Doctors Memorial?
4. Should monthly or quarterly financial reports also be posted?
Floor is open...
Yes to all questions. I noticed last weekend that in the Tallahasse Democrat there were two additional inserts (tabloids in newspaper speak) about healthcare and providers, (1) Physician and Health Care Directory-a publication of Tallahassee Democrat, and (2)HOPE has a new home-Shands Cancer Hospital at the University of Florida Opens Its Doors. I do not recall, correct me if I am wrong, that DMH every published anything for the community regarding healthcare. I know that DMH is not in the same league as Shands, but do not regularly provide information to tax-payers. In addition to a TMH annual report recently inserted in the Tallahassee Democrat. All the DMH board has to do is look at these items and generate some type of report to build community support....and they don't.
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yes, yes, yes, yes!
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Yes, this county owned hospital definitely needs to operated in the sunshine with open records. For to many years DMH has been managed behind closed doors sadly with dismal results. We were told that if we had a new modern hospital then things would change for the better. Well we built a new modern hospital and look what has happened. Debt has increased to the point that some vendors have said enough is enough, either bring your account up to date or supplies or services will cease. Look at how many doctors have came and went over the years mainly because of hospital management. Presently we don't have enough doctor's to properly support our hospital and we are unable to recruit new doctors because of poor hospital credibility. Sadly to many local citizens have no faith in our hospital and therefore seek health care elsewhere. We have a inept county commission that for to long has looked the other way while they continually contribute more money to keep the hospital afloat. This hospital belongs to the people of Taylor County, we built it on land we bought and we equipped it with modern equipment therefore we have a right to participate in it's operation and to have access to records equally as well as that of the county commission and school board. If we are denied this fundamental right then I say "SALE IT" to a major concern who can put this hospital back on it's feet wherein the people of Taylor County can then have the health care that they deserve.
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BM,
Have you heard anything about EMS bing shut down yesterday. "rumor" is that they failed inspection multiple time and have not correctd problems and vehicls were parked yesterday. Lafayette County and Dixie County sent ambulance and crews to cover our area.
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I saw an ambulance / EMS vehicle being loaded and transported by wrecker on Thursday. It was near an eating establishment of course. It did not appear to be in a place broken down. You can bet our great media outlet is on this story and will have a complete report next week, maybe not if EMS has bought ads recently.
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I heard the same thing (Health Dept shut them down) because no attempt to clean up prior infractions. I heard not 1 vehicle passed health dept inspection. Can anyone confirm this? If this is true someone at DMH and EMS should be fired. This is uncalled for and unacceptable.
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Get fired? LOL! They will most likely get a raise and/or promotion to top dog catcher position.
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If the health department did shut down our EMS service then this is more the reason for operating in the sunshine. As a county owned facility the public has a right to know what and why problems exist and what remedial actions were undertaken. I am sure that the DMH board of directors had knowledge of a prior inspection if one occurred and if so why was this problem allowed to continue. DMH has to come out from behind those closed doors once and for all or sell it. Wonder if this has gotten the commissioner's attention, I doubt it. Why not call your commissioner and press the issue.
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