Important issues discussed at MHTC Board meeting

February 23, 2011

GDH FILE PHOTO

Memorial Hospital of Texas County's Board of Control meeting, Tuesday evening, was short and to the point, but not so sweet.
The Board seemed to fly through the meeting while hitting the usual topics.
The Finance committee's capital equipment request for a warming cabinet in the amount of $6,440.81 was approved.
As for old business, last month's request from Chief of Staff Dr. Martin Bautista to speak to the Board in an executive session, so he would have the liberty to discuss specific incidences as to where the hospital has "dropped the ball" was granted. Bautista is not allowed to speak specifically in an open forum due to patient confidentiality.
In new business, the board approved the changing of the March meeting to a different date due to conflicting schedules and notices would be sent in advance.  
In Communication, CEO Jim Grocholski announced the hospital has hired on Susan Forni as the new Vice President of Nursing. Susan is familiar with the area as she is coming from Amarillo and is set to start on March 14th .
Grocholski wished to offer a special thanks to Rachel Duncan, who will be leaving after a week of training with Susan.
Duncan said the community was lucky to have the hospital and all it has to offer.
For the Medical Staff Report, Dr. Bautista began by also thanking Rachel saying she was, "very consistent with the facility."
Bautista went on to inform the Board of a special meeting between the Medical Staff, in which they discussed and voted on issues they feel the Board needs to be aware of.
Physicians in attendance of the special meeting were Wael Faltas M.D., Jeffery Lim M.D., Emmanuel Barias M.D., Azizeh Asgari M.D., Debbie Te M.D., Hianto Te M.D. and Martin Bautista M.D.
Bautista went onto report, unanimously, seven out of the seven physicians present voted on five resolutions to present to the Board, which is described by the following:
RESOLVED that the Medial Staff:
1. Decries the pattern of poor communication between the CEO and the Medical Staff escalating to the point of conflict that negatively impacts patient are and the fiscal health of MHTC.
2. Disagrees with the outsourcing of the billing services resulting in the loss of local employment.
3. Has lost confidence in the ability of the CEO in maintaining a harmonious and productive relationship with the Medical Staff.
4. Urges the Board of Control to give a clear and unequivocal directive to improve communication between the Medical Staff and Administration.
5. Recommends the opinion of an outside consultant to assist MHTC in restoring the Hospital's internal capability to bill locally as soon as possible.
Bautista advised more would be discussed during the executive session.
Board member John Board said, "I don't understand the billing office issue, what does it have to do with medical?"
Bautista replied, "No medical clinic hires outside billing. It's a loss of local employment."
Board said it was "a board decision, not a medical decision."
Jim Grocholski wanted Bautista to give him specifics on Communication since, as he said he was, "being personally attacked for lack of confidence." Grocholski went onto say that he had spoken that very day with several doctors who disagreed with Bautista.
Bautista again reported the physicians in attendance of the meeting unanimously voted on the five resolutions and told Grocholski that a problem is that "you say one thing and do another."