Local News |
August 21st, 2008 |
PPH Cries “Foul!”
Palomar Pomerado Health officials claim a radiology group is interfering with its seeking out of qualified competitors to bid on a new contract. Valley Radiology Consulting, Inc., has held the contract for a partnership with PPH for 30 years.
Recently, a lawsuit was filed against Michael Covert, CEO and president of PPH, and PPH, by a former partner in Valley Radiology, Dr. Andrew Polansky. The suit seeks a minimum of $2 million in damages as well as punitive damages. Dr. Polansky alleges that Mike Covert terminated his right to practice at any of PPH’s facilities without just cause.
Further, the lawsuit alleges that Covert threatened Dr. Gary Spoto, of Valley Radiology, that if Dr. Polansky continued to work at PPH’s facility, they would cancel the contract with Valley Radiology Consultants, of which Dr. Polansky was a partner. Not wanting to lose the contract for his company and to protect his company (VRC), Dr. Polansky reluctantly agreed to cease providing his services.
Then, the suit alleges, Michael Covert advised The Valley Radiology Group that their contract would not be renewed. If not renewed by June 30th; without cause, then 180 days later the contract expires. automatically.
Privately, The Paper has learned that a number of doctors were outraged at the cancellation of the contract with Valley Radiology and of the termination of Dr. Polansky. The Paper reported on this lawsuit in depth. You may review the details of this lawsuit
at:
http://thecommunitypaper.com/archive/2008/07_03/index.php
Since that time, RFP’s (Requests for Proposals) have been sent out by PPH to area radiology groups, seeking bids for a new contract. PPH complains that Valley Radiology is interfering with the hospital district's attempts to get price quotes from other radiologists interested in taking over imaging services provided to district patients.
The head of the group ---- Valley Radiology Consulting Inc. ---- Dr. Gary Spoto, flatly denies the claim.
The allegation is the latest development in a dispute that has been building for several months between the longtime partners.
A public agency supported by taxpayers, Palomar Pomerado owns and operates Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and Pomerado Hospital in Poway. For more than 30 years, PPH patients had received from Valley Radiology ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, neuroradiology and other imaging services.
While the district claims there is no retribution aimed at either Dr. Polansky or Valley Radiology in their decision to cancel the contract and that it is simply a cost-cutting measure, area medical officials seem to disagree. Several doctors have contacted The Paper and offered off-the-record comments that this was just one more example of Michael Covert’s power plays.
PPH officials and their legal counsel have claimed that other potential partners of radiology groups had been urged by Valley Radiology not to bid on the contract.
Palomar Pomerado sent Valley Radiology a "cease and desist" letter last week.
Spoto denies anyone was asked to, or urged, not to bid. They simply spoke with colleagues and/or radiology groups and answered questions proferred to them; all the answers were factual, Spoto said.
Pomerado Hospital Penalized For Serious Mistakes
Four hospitals, including Pomerado Hospital in Poway, one of the Palomar Pomerado Health facilities, have been fined $25,000 each for negligent operations that resulted in at least one death and patient harm in a number of other cases.
The four area hospitals received the maximum fine for preventable mistakes that killed one patient, injured others or created the potential for serious harm, state officials said. The hospitals involved were Pomerado Hospital, in Poway, Promise Hospital, Scripps Healthcare, Sharp Healthcare and Grossmont Hospital.
California's health regulators also are reviewing three more “immediate jeopardy” incidents – those that cause death or grave injury – that may result in similar penalties. Staff at Pomerado Hospital in Poway used a malfunctioning anesthesia machine on three patients on March 31, causing them to be partially awake and experience pain and other sensations during their surgeries. Officials for the four hospitals said they have taken major steps to correct the problems, including hiring more staff and boosting training.
State health regulators assessed each hospital $25,000.
Investigators also have issued two reports detailing other serious patient-care deficiencies at Scripps Green Hospital, one report on problems at Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and two reports concerning the deaths of two patients at Sharp Grossmont. At Palomar, pharmacists in January overrode alerts about potentially lethal drug interactions from a computer that dispenses medications at the bedside. No patients died in those incidents.
Increased awareness of hospital errors has led to more complaints from hospital workers and from patients and their families. Of the incidents resulting in fines issued, perhaps the most unusual involved “surgical awareness,” or consciousness while under general anesthesia, among three patients at Pomerado Hospital.
One patient recalled that during her gynecologic surgery, she “felt cutting, smelled burning, felt intense pulling down and towards (my) right side,” according to the state's report. “I could feel the tears coming down my cheek . . . why didn't they see my tears? I tried to talk . . . the pain was horrendous.”
Another patient, who underwent surgery for an ovarian cyst, told state investigators: “(I) remembered hearing 'cut this side' . . . could feel the cutting, like it was pressure . . . could hear the 'click, click, click' of the speculum being inserted. . . . Tried to tell my body to wake up, but I could not move, I could not open my eyes . . . Remembered gagging feeling, like I could not breathe.”
When she awoke, she told the anesthesiologist: “I felt every (expletive deleted) thing you did. I was awake the whole time.”
The third patient had a urinary catheter inserted during surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. She described “waking up and felt horrible pain between legs . . . felt like something being forced in . . . like being raped.”
An anesthesiologist had expressed concern on March 28 about whether the anesthesia machine was malfunctioning, the state's report said, but the machine was used again on March 31. Pomerado officials locked up the machine only after the three women talked about what they experienced. Litigation is pending, said Dr. David Tam, Pomerado's chief administrative officer. He added that the patients received an explanation of what happened, and the hospital offered them “professional help” because some of the patients expressed pain and fear after the events.
In related news, Sharp Mission Park Medical Group has been bought by Scripps and effective August 1, 2008, is now named "Scripps Coastal Medical Center". Scripps (Sharp) will pull approximately 55,000 patients (a year) out of Tri-City Hospital and treat them at Scripps in Encinitas and other Scripps facilities. This will have a hugh financial impact on Tri-City Hospital. The notice from Sharp advising patients of the change just states "As Scripps Coastal Medical Group, we will offer new practice locations and expanded choice within the Scripps Health system.”
The vote for a $589M Bond for Tri-City Hospital is scheduled for Tuesday, August 26, 2008, via mail-in ballot. Meanwhile, apparently the voters who use Sharp Mission Park are completely unaware of this change from Tri-City Hospital to Scripps.
Escondido’s Grand Avenue Closure Set for ‘Cruisin’ Grand’
Starting tomorrow, Grand Avenue will be closed from Orange St. east to Ivy St. during Friday’s ‘Cruisin’ Grand.’ Traffic going north or south will be allowed to cross Grand at Escondido Boulevard and Juniper Street, but the other cross streets will be blocked off. The change has been approved following repeated requests by the Escondido DBA (Downtown Business Association) to try and boost a sagging participation by classic car clubs and attendance by shoppers.
Under the new plan, classic cars only will be allowed to park within the barricaded section of Grand Avenue. How police intend to enforce this measure for cars that are already parked prior to 4pm at downtown curbs is not clear. There would be a question as to what, if any, laws will have been broken.
Prior to this change, regular cars were free to drive east and west on Grand Avenue, observing the classic cars that were parked at the curb on both sides of the street, as well as on a number of side streets. Thus the name, “Cruisin’ Grand.’
Downtown merchants have been complaining that for the past two years ‘Cruisin’ Grand’ has been losing classic car participants as well as visitors and shoppers. This is one in a series of promotions the DBA wants to try to reverse that trend.
The city’s prior reluctance to grant approval has been due to concerns about safe access for emergency vehicles as well as disrupting normal downtown traffic flow on one of the busier days of the week. If problems arise, the city reserves the right to cancel the blockade.
The Children of Vista Win Again
Matt Koumaras, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of Vista announced that there will be a bus stop this school year at the Boys & Girls Club for all Vista Unified School District Elementary School bus routes beginning August 25th, the first day of school.
"This is great news for the parents and children of Vista. It is one more way that we can take the worry out of your afternoons'' said Koumaras.
All elementary kids, grades 1 through 5 who currently ride the bus, will have access via school buses to attend the Boys & Girls Club activities. Children who do not ride the bus can sign up to attend the club and ride the bus on a space available basis. All students attending the Boys & Girls Club will be required to complete membership and permission slip forms which are available at the club. Unfortunately this service is not available to Olive, Maryland, and Bobier Elementary Schools as they currently have no bus service. However, Boys & Girls Club will be working with the PTA's of those schools to solve any transportation problems to enable those students to get to the club also.
Boys & Girls Club of Vista provides a variety of supervised programs including art, recreation, music, and drama. The Club also provides coaching for basketball, baseball and soccer team sports. Karate is also available as part of the membership fee and is taught by a world class instructor.
During the school year all club members participate daily in Power Hour. This is a homework program which gives each child a chance to complete daily assignments from school. Boys & Girls Club has recently installed a Success Maker® program on its 28 computers so that every child will be able to work on reading and math skills building.
Parents interested in taking advantage of this busing program should call the club at 760.724.6606. Club membership dues are $50 per year. The Boys and Girls Club which is located at 410 West California Ave. Vista, 92083. Website is www.bgcvista.org.
Lake San Marcos Clubs to Host “Salute to Our Heroes”
Three years ago the Lake San Marcos Men's & Women's Golf Club started a tournament for active military from Camp Pendleton called "Salute to Our Heroes." This year’s tournament will be on Sept. 6th at the Lake San Marcos Country Club. Events include the golf tournament and followed by the Wounded Warrior Picnic. The Wounded Warriors will also enjoy a lake outing on houseboats belonging to local residents, and a magic show performed by several professional magicians who donate their time for the day.
When the golf and picnic have been completed, all participants will return to the clubhouse patio for a special treat. The 3rd Marine Air Wing Band will perform a concert for all these guests, plus the entire Lake San Marcos community will be invited to the concert. Community attendee's are asked to walk and bring folding chairs or drive golf carts to the concert and park on the driving range behind the band. Those bringing folding chairs will be seated near the 1st and 10th tees.
At the conclusion of the concert, all of the Marines, Wounded Warriors and their guests, will join their member hosts in the dining room for dinner and awarding of gifts and prizes to the Marines, Wounded Warriors, and their spouses or guests.
Last year sixty eight Heroes and Wounded Warriors accepted invitations. The Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund representative was present to receive over $14,000. If you would like to be a sponsor and/or participant contact the listed chairpersons or submit the application below.
Denny McKee Maj. USMC (Retired)
Co-Chairperson
Phone: 760-729-0203
Frank Shubert
Co-Chairperson Phone: 760-471-7177
E-mail:
fshubert@roadrunner.com
Senior Savvy Day at Lake San Marcos Resort
A panel of professionals in the field of senior healthcare, spearheaded by Dr. Joseph Czvik, I.M. of Primary Care Medical Associates, will meet with area seniors in late September.
Dr. Czvik brings over 15 years experience practicing in San Marcos and North County. He will be speaking on How Preventive Medicine Can Keep You Younger ... Longer.
Janet Little, C.N. from Henry’s Farmers Market will speak about Rebuilding Your Digestive Tract;
Tamara Urie, Event Programmer for the Cardiovascular Disease Foundation, will conduct free body fat, blood pressure and cholesterol screenings.
Seniors will have the opportunity to pose their questions and receive complete answers.
Professional Services Group located in Rancho Bernardo, who specializes in senior health insurance, is sponsoring the event.
For further information, contact:
rcolwell@proservgrp.com, or call 858-674-6626
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