tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post1276319658691621786..comments2024-03-29T06:37:18.029-04:00Comments on Not Running a Hospital: Town meetings @ BIDMCPaul Levyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17065446378970179507noreply@blogger.comBlogger68125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-24703543871750802452009-03-22T11:10:00.000-04:002009-03-22T11:10:00.000-04:00Dear Paul- I was wondering if anyone has considere...Dear Paul- I was wondering if anyone has considered looking into investing in our own ALS and BLS ambulances for East to West transfers. I spoke with a few EMT's and they guesstimate $20,000 of use on a slow day, which would be $7,300,000/year. An ALS rig runs for about $100K, and a BLS rig is around $60K. If we could invest in 2 of each and employ our own EMT's and paramedics, it could save millions of dollars each year. Just a thought. I know other hospitals have transitioned to this investment, and thought it would be a great way for us to reach or goal.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-26675710013588507052009-03-19T18:10:00.000-04:002009-03-19T18:10:00.000-04:00How ironic is this:The SEIU is laying off its own ...How ironic is this:<BR/><BR/>The SEIU is laying off <I>its own</I> employees, and <I>its union</I> is suing the SEIU itself.<BR/><BR/>Washington Post article <A HREF="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/03/18/AR2009031800709.html" REL="nofollow">here.</A>e-Patient Davehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11608258246509102466noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-90309348880871474132009-03-19T16:03:00.000-04:002009-03-19T16:03:00.000-04:00I just want say thank you for all that you have do...I just want say thank you for all that you have done this institution. I have been working for BIDMC for approx 6 mo now. I have never seen the amount of determination and enthusiasm to find solutions than I have seen in the past few weeks. <BR/><BR/>I have an idea to have everyone take scheduled time off for a week without pay or ET.<BR/><BR/>Thank you again look forward to hearing from you. <BR/><BR/>Kristen Drake. Farr 3Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-16357987346926515132009-03-13T12:25:00.000-04:002009-03-13T12:25:00.000-04:00I just want to say thank you Paul for being the ma...I just want to say thank you Paul for being the man that you are. You make me proud to be working at BI and more importantly, having you for my CEO. Thank you. I hope all your efforts and ours will amount to keeping everyone's jobs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-1529148825307235892009-03-13T11:20:00.000-04:002009-03-13T11:20:00.000-04:00There is a shift differential salary discrepency b...There is a shift differential salary discrepency between nurses and non-nursing. Nurses make a significant increased dollar amount more than the non-nursing staff. I don't know why since we are all working the same hours, but maybe this should be changed to lower the RN differential.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-40627686317837005942009-03-13T03:07:00.000-04:002009-03-13T03:07:00.000-04:00Dear Mr. Levy,I am a staff nurse at bidmc.I attend...Dear Mr. Levy,<BR/><BR/>I am a staff nurse at bidmc.<BR/>I attended the first town meeting you had.I have never attended a town meeting before and therefore never have had the pleasure of hearing you speak. After the meeting, I phoned my husband at work and said, "wow, this guy really gets it....right down to the lowest wage employees". I think your ability to see the big picture and think outside of the box can only benefit us all in the end. It's wonderful to hear you speak. You have a calmness about you and you even got us laughing and then photographed it. Amazing.<BR/><BR/> I wish you could become my town manager but I'm afraid you are over qualified for the job.:) Thanks for your leadership and continued support.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-80079248672341925652009-03-13T00:56:00.000-04:002009-03-13T00:56:00.000-04:00I just read about this in the news, and I just fel...I just read about this in the news, and I just felt I had to write and say I am glad that there are still heads of entities that care as much as you do for the people that you lead. Hats off to you sir, you are a beacon of light in treacherous times.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-70807275247351250572009-03-12T20:03:00.000-04:002009-03-12T20:03:00.000-04:00I like what you said as well, Karen Rae.I like what you said as well, Karen Rae.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-68905724151197481662009-03-12T18:27:00.000-04:002009-03-12T18:27:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-88744504321281038562009-03-12T17:51:00.000-04:002009-03-12T17:51:00.000-04:00Your way of thinking is exactly what the world nee...Your way of thinking is exactly what the world needs most right now. Coming together rather than dividing. I strongly believe the world, the universe, has a way, if needs by force, to bring together what has been separated. You are a wonderful example as to how we can come together agian. <BR/><BR/>I read this quote by Einstein the other day, I feel it suits the worlds honest endeavours well.<BR/><BR/>"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."<BR/><BR/>Thank you for helping us to find another way of thinking.Karen Raehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02715416950008035369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-55269942807619169492009-03-12T17:02:00.000-04:002009-03-12T17:02:00.000-04:00Paul-I read the article about your wonderful initi...Paul-<BR/><BR/>I read the article about your wonderful initiative and wanted to compliment you personally for what you are doing. My name is Sara McHale, and I have written to you before, first commending an exceptional nurse I first met in 2005. <BR/><BR/>I have been going to BIDMC/BIDNeedham since 2005 for major and minor medical problems- many are lifethreatening. The care I have received is top notch on physical, personal, neurological, psychological, thoughtful, and lifesaving levels. Since then I have been in the SICU where your employees were top notch to me and my family (especially while I was in a coma), the Emergency Room too many times to count where they were nice as well, and many patient floors at BIDMC and BIDNeedham. <BR/><BR/>Paul, I am not surprised by your genorosity and kindness of spirit toward your employees during these difficult times. I have said these folks are truly "priceless people" and they truly are "people driven", not "money driven" (as some doctors I've known but not here- back in Rhode Island).<BR/><BR/>With Sincere Respect and Gratitude,<BR/>Sara McHale<BR/>Needham, MAAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-38540741632850455562009-03-12T12:02:00.000-04:002009-03-12T12:02:00.000-04:00My vote is an acceptance of a temporary wage freez...My vote is an acceptance of a temporary wage freeze and a temporary freeze of the 401K match. None of these things are pleasant but both were anticipated and both can be temporary. I feel that whatever we do everyone needs to participate. When people suggest eliminating the holiday or shift differential I always wonder do these people work at straight 9-<BR/>5 M-F? We have to be careful to be fair in these measures. While no <BR/>one is happy about this I would hope that everyone will to do their part.<BR/><BR/>I have heard some co-workers express an interest in taking a week off w/o pay. While this is not something I would like to do others are. <BR/>Thanks for trying to figure this out through such an ongoing process.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-22803146344869665582009-03-12T10:22:00.000-04:002009-03-12T10:22:00.000-04:00I strongly support giving up the 3% pay raise, cha...I strongly support giving up the 3% pay raise, change in shift pay, changes in 401k & so much more in order to prevent layoffs. What I like best is having an "amount" determined by the CFO that allows individuals to choose which options they will give up. <BR/><BR/>I personally am not in favor of reducing earned time--people need to take time off to have a life balance. SO, if people could choose which benefits to give it, I think it would work.<BR/><BR/>Thank you for listening to "us"! We are all in this together!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-70645381611245780272009-03-11T22:36:00.000-04:002009-03-11T22:36:00.000-04:00Dear anon 10:26,Please see my comments to the pers...Dear anon 10:26,<BR/><BR/>Please see my comments to the person posting above. Gross generalizations do not solve problems. If your efforts at improvement are not being accepted, perhaps you are going about it the wrong way. I don't know what department you are in, but I know all of the chiefs are looking for ways to improve the quality of care. Have you addressed your concerns with your chief? Have you offered suggestions that could be implemented and are practical?<BR/><BR/>Your last sentence is an indication of some annoyance. I know, in contrast, that the teaching awards actually are based on real ability. Niceness and fun are not the criteria used.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-13438796506465581222009-03-11T22:26:00.000-04:002009-03-11T22:26:00.000-04:00Paul-The failure of our hospital is nothing but a ...Paul-<BR/>The failure of our hospital is nothing but a symbol of the crashing health system in the USA. United States medicine is the least cost effective medicine in the industrial world. We spend millions of dollars on unnecessary tests b/c of the lack of evidence-based medical knowledge of physicians and fear of litigation. I am a BIDMC MD and I receive patients admitted through our ED after they go through extensive unnecessary radiological testing that was done only b/c the ED physicians have no time to obtain an adequate history and perform quality exam. These tests contribute to our current financial burden and harm patients by exposing them to radiation, contrast, and the sequelae of false positive testing. Our medical students and residents are learning these deviated practices and are running tests rather than expanding their medical knowledge, using critical thinking, and applying cost effective medicine. Any effort I exert in changing this culture among residents and students is met with resistance as this deviated way of practing medicine has become nothing but the norm. The "excellence of teaching rewards" go to "nice", "fun", and "friendly" doctors and not to excellent teachers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-12626964287038869222009-03-11T22:08:00.000-04:002009-03-11T22:08:00.000-04:00Dear anonymous,I don't want to seem insensitive to...Dear anonymous,<BR/><BR/>I don't want to seem insensitive to the issues you raise, or to suggest that the concerns you raise might not be legitimate, but these kind of gross generalizations about clinical problems are not helpful. Cultural change starts with people like you pointing out the problems on the ground when they occur, not in this kind of forum. I don't know if you are a doctor or a nurse or have another position, but you have the power to call out problems in real time and make proposals to change thing. A recitation of the sort you offer here really does not help identify the root causes of the problems you mention. Please try again, but this time on the floors and in the units.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-80047475461360477912009-03-11T21:49:00.000-04:002009-03-11T21:49:00.000-04:00Dear Paul-We need to focus on waste and long-term ...Dear Paul-<BR/>We need to focus on waste and long-term solutions. One thing must change...the culture of the hospital. Too often patients are being admitted from the ED to the floor and then immediately discharged as there is no medical reason for them to be admitted in the first place. Where is the solution to this ongoing issue? Why can't the hospitalist be consulted and prevent these admissions.? Another issue is around discharge. Families are dictating when pts will leave BIDMC not the MDs. These are all hospital days we are not being reimbursed for. Physicians need to be supported (by the hospital, IDT, and their dept head) when they make medical decisions around discharge and not be easily pursuaded when a family threatens lawsuits. How can we make these changes happen as they both will help improve BIDMCs financial situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-9146619014382081882009-03-11T11:04:00.000-04:002009-03-11T11:04:00.000-04:00I think that others should know that the physicia...I think that others should know that the physicians are aware of the need to do their part. We dont have ET time to give up, but our Medical Faculty Physicians group headed by Dr. Stuart Rosenberg is looking into what we might be able to do.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-20561370029477151802009-03-11T10:54:00.000-04:002009-03-11T10:54:00.000-04:00Hello Mr. Levy,I work in the financial depertment ...Hello Mr. Levy,<BR/><BR/>I work in the financial depertment and I would like to submit and idea. Instead of hiring new employees I was thinking that we need an extra body in this department and I'm pretty sure all over the hospital so maybe we could have a mentoring/internship program where graduates or future gradutes could come and assist as well as get there internship hours. I am a graduate od Medical Administration and it helped me gain experience and it would save us money and help them learn. Just a thought!<BR/> <BR/>M.M.C.JUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05408986797355139601noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-44944082972595691022009-03-10T22:24:00.000-04:002009-03-10T22:24:00.000-04:00Dear Anon 9:43,This was not a BIDMC function. It ...Dear Anon 9:43,<BR/><BR/>This was not a BIDMC function. It was organized by the Department of Medicine faculty practice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-16213448349852102282009-03-10T21:43:00.000-04:002009-03-10T21:43:00.000-04:00I truly appreciate you openness to feedback, Paul....I truly appreciate you openness to feedback, Paul. Similarly to others I am also willing to take a reduction in ET to help assist in this unfortunate financial situation, but I don’t think taking 10% of one’s ET bank is fair to those who have saved their time. Reducing ET by a straight number across the board would be more appropriate, in my opinion. <BR/><BR/>In addition, I would just like to make a comment on a recent observation of mine. I was made aware of several hospitalist’s functions over the past week at the same time our hospital is working towards reducing expenses and potentially losing valuable hardworking employees. I am aware of the 10 year hospitalist’s anniversary and completely agree their hard work should be recognized; however, daily speakers, lunches, breakfasts, and a catered dinner including open bar at the (all too expensive) Harvard Club is unacceptable with the current financial condition of BIDMC. On top of the daily festivities financed by BIDMC, I am aware additional employees worked during these days to enable the hospitalist to attend such functions. I find it difficult to justify such spending given BIDMC’s financial situation. How can BIDMC justify spending so much money on such festivities when we are talking about people losing their jobs? Who is responsible for such spending? I wonder if the individual hospitalist would have preferred to cancel these activities so the funds could be allocated in more useful ways…like saving BIDMC jobs.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for listening.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-73658371894037447172009-03-10T15:13:00.000-04:002009-03-10T15:13:00.000-04:00Paul,A 25 year veteran of BIDMC, I appreciate the ...Paul,<BR/>A 25 year veteran of BIDMC, I appreciate the open nature of this very painful discussion. I personally think ET accrual and/or reduction in already accumulated hours is an accross the board fair way to cut. I am not in favor of losing the 3% raise, it seems less 'fair' if you will, that some have had a recent merit increase and others will have to go without. I agree with others who have said that although I make a good salary, I have obligations to children and family that will be difficult to meet in these economic times without an annual raise. (ET would be easier to give up...although I think it should be 8 or 16 hours accross the board, not 10% of your ET bank.)<BR/><BR/>I would also be open to taking 1-2 days off without pay if that was helpful. I think to tamper with retirements and 401K is also a mistake.<BR/><BR/>Will you consider offering early retirement packages? I am also interested in how layoffs will happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-73799749386361205882009-03-10T10:22:00.000-04:002009-03-10T10:22:00.000-04:00Hi Paul,Having been a "victim" of the 2001 BIDMC l...Hi Paul,<BR/>Having been a "victim" of the 2001 BIDMC layoffs (right before you arrived), I just want to say how much I appreciate your openness in this predicament. The pain of my layoff was lessened thanks to a supportive and honest supervisor. I will always remember BIDMC as a very humane place... Best of luck.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-20440410857008510502009-03-09T22:03:00.000-04:002009-03-09T22:03:00.000-04:00To all,Thanks for these and other suggestions. We...To all,<BR/><BR/>Thanks for these and other suggestions. We'll be summarizing and offering another chance for comments and input before deciding.<BR/><BR/>Anon 8:07,<BR/><BR/>The people with whom you talked at BWH and Tufts might be imagining what they want, but they have no basis for commenting on our approach to these matters. That approach is, very simply, what I have laid out to all of our staff, and which has generated all the helpful comments you have seen hear and elsewhere. It's pretty straightforward: Layoffs may be necessary, but I am committed to doing all possible to avoid them. Perhaps they have never seen this kind of approach in action before and are projecting their feelings upon our situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32053362.post-35547328705835543752009-03-09T20:07:00.000-04:002009-03-09T20:07:00.000-04:00Mr. Levy, Thank you for being so upfront and hones...Mr. Levy, <BR/>Thank you for being so upfront and honest with us and giving us the opportunity to have a voice in this matter I know many people who work at other hospitals and there CEO's are not as forthcoming. I also have also heard comments from people I know at BWH and Tufts that have said you are going to layoff nurses because we are not union. I don't feel this to be true at all and I am a former employee of a union hospital and I know if a union gets in BIDMC its going to cause more harm than good especially now. I also want to give a suggestion. What about people giving back some PTO. Or when sick calls come in can they have the option of taking it unpaid?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com