Hospital CEO - Bob Driewer
May 13, 2009
Have questions about Newman Regional Health. Ask Newman CEO Bob Driewer your questions. Submit questions now.
Moderator: Our guest today is Robert Driewer, the chief executive office of Newman Regional Health, Lyon County's public hospital. Issues facing hospitals these days include a drop in in-patient use of hospitals, low levels of Medicare reimbursement, the effects of a bad economy and the likelihood of federal action to change the way health care is delivered. We'll begin with a question about staff cuts at the hospital.
dhcc66: I understand why the hospital has to cut back in it's staffing, but why are you going toward a staff of Rn's. I've been in a hospital that went to that plan and the nurses and patients hated it.
Bob Driewer: Nursing research and literature support improved patient outcomes with an RN based staff. In an effort to maximize professional nursing for optimal quality patient care at Newman Regional Health we will be moving toward a Registered Nurse model in the acute care and surgical departments.
harvestr: I have heard a rumor that as soon as the remodeling is done on the second floor, it will be closed. All patients will be moved to 3rd floor. What kind of plans are you looking for in regards to the second floor. What about the staffing. Where will they go.
Bob Driewer: The hospital is remodeling third floor and when completed this will make all rooms on 3rd floor private rooms. Our goal is to consolidate and right size the number of staffing units when the census flucuates. At this time, the plan is to retain 2nd floor for periods of high census when the number of patients exceeds the capacity in the remaining units.
Gorilla: Mr. Driewer, Census numbers have caused many on-calls in the past several months at Newmans. Question #1) Are agency nurses, out of town contract nurses who I understand by contract cannot be on-called, still being utilized and Question #2) if so why and Question #3) will they be used in the future when so many local nurses can't obtain the hours they need, forcing many of them to look out of town. Thank you
Bob Driewer: To provide optimal safe and quality care to our patients, the NRH Nursing Department flexes depending on the census. The few agency nurses we do have are called in as needed, and are not guaranteed a certain number of hours. These contract nurses are first in line to be canceled. The future is always an unknown and we are committed to high quality patient care using NRH staff first.
evil_conservative: Mr. Driewer: I am concerned about the privacy of my health records. What is Newman Regional Health doing to ensure that my patient information is secure? Is the hospital audited for HIPAA compliance?
Bob Driewer: Safety and security of all patient information is a high priority at Newman Regional Health. The hospital monitors access to all medical information 24/7. Extensive security audits are performed by both internal and external entities on a regular basis in order to ensure the highest safety possible.
kansasdman: Is there truth to the rumor that you are getting rid of LPN's?
Bob Driewer: Based on the nursing model we are adopting, we will accomplish the change in our nursing care delivery through attrition. We will be offering tuition support for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to complete an RN program. We have appreciated and want to acknowledge the significant contributions that our Licensed Practical Nurses have made in the care of our patients. We will continue to employ LPN’s in the health care areas that can best support that practice.
Bob Driewer: Based on the nursing model we are adopting, we will accomplish the change in our nursing care delivery through attrition. We will be offering tuition support for Licensed Practical Nurses who wish to complete an RN program. We have appreciated and want to acknowledge the significant contributions that our Licensed Practical Nurses have made in the care of our patients. We will continue to employ LPN’s in the health care areas that can best support that practice.
kansasdman: Bob, can you shed some light on the rumors that the hospital staff will be required to wear uniforms? In his state of economy, can you really justify the financial impact that your employees will bear if they are required to purchase uniforms?
Bob Driewer: The needs of the patient come first at Newman Regional Health and the healthcare literature demonstrates that patients often cannot tell what role employees play by their appearance. It is imperative that we provide a professional encounter to those that we are privileged to serve. In that vein, we are exploring a new dress code for the organization to provide optimal patient care. We recognize that there are financial challenges related to any change and we are exploring opportunities to reduce those barriers for our staff. However, our ultimate goal is to better meet the needs of the patient.
kansasdman: Are you looking into selling the hospital?
Bob Driewer: No.
quarterback: Currently the Emergency room services are outsourced. Why is this? Is there any chance the hospital would take this back over?
Bob Driewer: According to Pam Kvas, Director of Emergency Services, Newman has contracted physicians for the Emergency Department for the period that she has been here (24 years.) Our current contracting company is ESK (Emergency Services of Kansas) based in Newton. They have been working at Newman since January, 2008. The hospital and the medical staff evaluate all contracts on a regular basis and if there are opportunties to provide better service at a lower cost, we would exercise those options at that time.
moderator: What are the major challenges for the hospital right now?
Bob Driewer: First and foremost, Newman Regional Health strives to meet the healthcare needs of the area.
moderator: What is the future for our hospital? Can it grow or will it become a transfer station to other hospitals?
Bob Driewer: The future of the hospital is tied directly to the future of our community. Will our community grow? Will our community change? The hospital and the community share the future. Only together can we grow and expand our services.
quarterback: Has the helicopter helped or hurt the hospital?
Bob Driewer: The helicopter is contracted by the hospital to provide rapid transfers for patients when needed. The operation of the helicopter serves to meet the needs of our patients.
Moderator: That's all the time we have for questions today. Thanks to Robert Driewer for answering such a wide range of questions abut the community hospital, and to those of you who submitted questions. Keep an eye out for the next Gazette chat.