Blogs

January 27, 2012 - TGIF

Jan 27, 2012 by Marc Strode, CEO
Folks,
It's me again!
Just came out of our Medical Executive Committee meeting and want to give you some updates hot off the press that might impact you.  If they don't impact you, you might hear about them and want you to separate fact from fiction/gossip.

First of, when Level 5 started Jan 6, with them they brought their own order sets.  We were so excited to get them on board, we sort of mis-stepped and didn't run those orders through the committees who ultimately need to approve anything that is going to be a formal part of the chart.  Honest mistake.  Anyhow, we have circled back around w/ our medical staff, including Level 5, and will quickly take those order sets to committee.  In the meantime, Vicky and her clinical team will be giving immediate instruction on what we are going to use in the ED and at the bedside in the meantime. 

Dr. DiBlasi, who has been a key part of this medical staff for many years, has requested to change his status to Affiliate.  This essentially means he can not admit nor write orders at VVRMC.  This will become effective once the District Board approves in February.  Dr. DiBlasi is covering the ED into February, but after that has chosen to focus on his office practice.  You have heard me talk about an initiative to bring additional cardiology support here to VVRMC, primarily to offer peripherral vascular services that expand the scope of care far beyond what we are currently providing.  Based on Dr. DiBlasi's decision to disengage with VVRMC, we are fasttracking our efforts with the 47-person Cardiology Clinic in San Antonio to very soon be able to provide--by committee at first--24/7 cardiac coverage out of their group here in Del Rio to compliment the coverage Dr. Jones is already providing.  I suspect this is the initial makings of what will become a robust regional heart program.  We are greatful to still have Dr. Jones working alongside us and intend to include him moving forward in what programs we develop.  The overarching goal is to expand cardiac services in Del Rio safely so that patients do not have to travel to San Antonio or San Angelo.  More to come on this as this initiative is developing rapidly. 

We have been talking for sometime about the expansion of our hospitalist program to a full-time program.  I proposed to our MEC today that we move forward with this.  In general I think there is support, but everyone is entitled to their opinion!  I think it will be very good for us.  It will be voluntary....so community docs who want to follow their patients in the hospital certainly can all the time or some of the time.  If we move forward with this initiative, there will be a change in personnel moving forward within our hospitalist program.  We have 3 candidates we are considering for Medical Director, all of which who will be interviewing in the coming weeks.  There is a small group working on this to finalize a decision in the next two weeks.  Again, stay tuned.  By the way, this full-time program will be for adults only, and we are working w/ Dr. Pitt on how we will cover pediatrics and the newborn nursery moving forward.

Finally, some of ya'll have heard that VVRMC was drug through the mud this morning on a local radio talk show.  I did not hear it, but the story has been relayed to me by several folks, including one person who did call in to defend us.  While unfortunate, we can not control what folks are going to say about us.  Most of time these days I think the comments are very positive, but sometimes we have to deal with days like today.  This caller focused on a singular incident, and while I do not yet have a name, reset assured, as we do with any complaint or concern regarding quality or service, we will investigate it and take appropriate action if necessary. 

Have a great weekend and as always, keep the spirit!
Marc