TAZEWELL, Va. — Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital will be undergoing big changes over the next 18 months as part of a transition to an expanded focus on outpatient services aimed at creating “financial stability” at the hospital, officials said Wednesday.
A handful of positions will be eliminated as part of the transition, including two non-clinical positions and cafeteria positions. The hospital also will establish a combined emergency department/hospitalist program; upgrade imaging services, including a new CT scanner, an electronic picture archiving and communication system and other enhancements; remodel a part of the hospital into a primary care clinic with room for mid-level providers and rotating specialists; and merge its intensive care unit and medical/surgical unit to reduce costs.
“This requires the community to support the hospital, and given the concern that was raised when rumors surfaced that the hospital might close, it is clear the community want to continue to support the hospital,” Eric Earnhart, a spokesman for Carilion Clinic, said. “We look forward to working with the community.”
The changes will be implemented over an 18 month period. During the time period, Carilion Clinic plans to invest approximately $2 million in facility and equipment upgrades to the hospital. A Carilion Clinic press release said the changes were the result of a detailed study by an independent consultant, and will enable the hospital to return to financial stability while reducing but not eliminating inpatient care.
Earnhart said Carilion Clinic will be looking at several options to replace the cafeteria, including the possibility of using local outside food vendors in the community. Earnhart said the existing cafeteria at TCH wouldn’t close “tomorrow.” However, he didn’t know long it would remain open. Vending machines also will be added to the hospital.
“No one is going to go hungry,” Earnhart said when asked about a continuation of meals for patients who spend the night, or several days, at the hospital. “We will make sure — however we transition this — that it will be something that will not impact the patients.”
The merger of the intensive care and medical/surgical units also is expected to save money. A study of hospital usage indicated that even the sickest patients admitted to CTCH typically do not require intensive care, which is more expensive to staff and to maintain, the press release said.
Earnhart said patients who are in critical condition will be transported to other medical facilities with intensive care units.
“Every community hospital in Virginia has similar challenges,” Melina Perdue, senior vice president for Regional Hospital Operations, said in a prepared statement. “We’re pleased with the outcome of this review because it affirms our belief that a hospital can be successful in Tazewell, even with the current economic challenges. We know how important CTCH is to this community. We’re excited about the things that will be happening here.”
“It’s difficult to lose any employee or service, but this is what it will take to keep our hospital open,” Carilion Tazewell Community Hospital Administrator Randal Swatzyna, added. “It is also very important for the people in the community to understand that this plan will only work if they support their local hospital, and support the providers who use local hospital services.”
Earnhart said the hospital cafeteria was underutilized in that it simply cost more money to operate than it generated. “We need to focus the resources we have on patient care, so that’s why we came to this conclusion,” Earnhart said. “Perhaps this is a business opportunity for a business (or businesses) in the Tazewell community. It is something we are willing to discuss with them.”
Earnhart said the addition of the hospitalist program also should help CTCH.
“Hospitalists are doctors trained in hospital medicine — they have a broad range of expertise,” Earnhart said. “We will have a hospitalist/emergency medicine physician working in Tazewell, who will be part of our system’s emergency medical team. As a hospitalist, he will be able to work with hospitalized patients as well as patients in the emergency department, raising the level of care in both places.”
Hospital officials also conducted a conference call Wednesday with two members of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors — Southern District board member Mike Hymes and Northern District Supervisor Jim Campbell.
“At 1 p.m. today Supervisor Campbell and I completed a conference call with Mr. Randal Swatzyna, hospital administrator, and Katherine Dowdy chief of staff of the hospital,” Hymes said. “This conference call was requested by Mr. Swatzyna and was his effort to fulfill his commitment to communicate the hospitals plans to the Board of Supervisors once they were available. I was very happy to see the new plan and consider it a strong commitment to our community by Carilion. “
Hymes said he was pleased to learn that CTCH will remain open.
“Most of all it assures we will be maintaining many good paying jobs and employees at the hospital,” Hymes added. “Mr. Swatzyna has agreed to attend our next board meeting to answer any questions about the plan. It is unfortunate that all employees at the hospital will not be retained, but the two non-clinical position reductions though difficult are a great deal less devastating than what could have occurred had the hospital been closed.”
Hymes said citizens of the Southern District must continue to support the hospital in order for it remain operational.
“I consider this announcement great news for my district and Tazewell County,” Hymes added. “I urge all the residents of our community to show their commitment to TCH by utilizing all available services provided at the hospital and thus voting with their feet to support the hospital and the individuals who work there.”
County officials expressed concerns last year regarding the hospital’s future after rumors surfaced of a possible closure. During a meeting of the Board of Supervisors last year, Hymes urged all Tazewell area residents to contact Carillon Clinic, and to voice support for the continued operation of Tazewell Community. The board also took the unusual step of placing a list of Carilion Clinic officials and their phone numbers on the county’s website for citizens to contact.
Earnhart said all hospital employees have been notified of the changes.
“We had meetings with the staff yesterday evening, and first thing this morning,” Earnhart said. “They went well. Everyone seems to be happy about the direction we are going.”
Source: http://bdtonline.com
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