New rules could hinder cardiology expansion at St. John
Tuesday, July 1, 2008 11:43 PM PDT
By Barbara LaBoe
Printable version
E-mail this articleSt. John Medical Center officials say a proposed state rule would severely damage the hospital’s chances of expanding its cardiology department and contradicts a state law passed to increase rural access.
The hospital wants to do non-emergency anigoplasties and stent placements and believes a new law passed last year allows just that. But, they say, the state Department of Health’s proposed rules for the procedures will likely eliminate most small hospitals from the playing field. And that stalls the hospital’s chances of expanding its cardiology services and recruiting more specialists, officials said.
State officials, though, say their proposed rules are based on research-based recommendations and maintaining patient safety, just as the Legislature directed.
A public hearing is scheduled for July 8 in Tumwater and St. John is asking residents to attend or send written comments. Local lawmakers are writing letters of support and the hospital even is willing to help arrange car pools, according to its Web site, http://www.peacehealth.org/apps/news/NDetails.asp?NewsID=990
“There’s just a handful of states, I believe 13, that don’t allow this already,” said Kirk Raboin, who oversees cardiovascular imaging and services for the hospital. “We’re trying to get the basis of cardiology care improved for our community.”
By law, St. John already is allowed to preform emergency angioplasties, but officials say there aren’t enough emergency cases to keep a doctor busy. So, instead, they transfer all emergency cases to Portland.
The procedure is becoming routine enough, though, that smaller hospitals like St. John say it makes sense to allow patients to be treated locally instead of making them and their family travel.
“We don’t think people should have to leave our community to get quality care that they could get here,” Raboin said.
Hospital officials see three major problems with the proposed rules:
The number of procedures
The state wants hospitals to be able to preform 300 angioplasties and stent placements a year to ensure there is enough experience and skill at the procedure. That’s also what was recommended by an independent research company that reviewed national statistics.
St. John officials says 200 is more reasonable.
Both sides cite national studies that put 200 procedures as an acceptable minimum for patient safety. St. John says that by keeping it higher the state is bowing to pressure from larger hospitals who don’t want to lose the procedures and the payments. State officials disagree.
“Two hundred is right on the cusp (of acceptable) ... it’s the bare minimum,” said Bart Eggen, executive manager for the state Department of Health’s office of certification and technical support.. “We’re wanting to set rules that gives us the highest assurance of patient safety and is appropriate for Washington. ... And if there are potential problem areas just below 200, then 300 seemed to make the most sense.”
Round-the-clock services
Eggen said it only makes sense if a hospital wants to offer elective procedures that it be able to serve emergency cases around the clock.
St. John, though, counters that some hours of local service are better than the none currently offered. The hospital says it could use its existing expedited transfer agreement with Oregon Health & Science University Hospital for off-hour emergencies — as it does now for all emergency cases.
Oregon patients
St. John officials said the state doesn’t count patients who originate at St. John but transfer into Oregon for actual care. Eggen said that is a “misunderstanding” of state rules. Patients transferred to Oregon are and will be counted, he said.
The proposed rule hearing is July 8 at 9:30 a.m. in the Department of Health Point Plaza East Building Room 153, 310 Israel Road SE in Tumwater.
Written comment also can be sent until 5 p.m. on July 8. E-mails can be sent to John.hilger@doh.wa.gov and letters to John Hilger, Department of Health, PO Box 47852, Olympia, WA 98504-7852.
Local Mom wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:27 AM:
thundher wrote on Jul 2, 2008 11:43 AM:
Everyone can keep complaining about Longview being a backward town. It is easier than looking at the good things that have happened. St. John hospital puts a great deal of money back into rebuilding, remodeling, recruiting top professions, and purchasing new technology. There are no fat shareholders cashing fat dividend checks. It is for you.
Too bad there are more people commenting on articles about their pet's well-being than about the (human) health care system. If you think it is so bad here- go some where else, do something to help, or shut your pie-whole. "
lola*in*longview wrote on Jul 2, 2008 2:53 PM:
El Fuego wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:17 PM:
You know not of what you speak. Granted St. Vincents is a great hospital (been there for an oblation). The staff was very nice. Have also been to Aberdeen where the doctor looked at me and told me I did not have long to live, then left the room. St. Johns was very attentive, treated me with kindness and after two years I'm still here. If you suddenly have a heart attack, I hope you make it to St. Vencents in time. Thank you St. Johns, Doctor Donald Zeilenga, Doctor Santo Domingo and Doctor Mark Thorsen. "
Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 2, 2008 6:49 PM:
lola*in*longview wrote on Jul 2, 2008 7:53 PM:
thundher wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:09 PM:
Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:02 PM:
Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 2, 2008 10:20 PM:
thundher wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:01 AM:
I salute you for your valuable input, but I don't want to give up on the good things that can come about for this community and for ourselves. These procedures can and will save lives every day. The physicians and healthcare professionals that give so much today are not the alpha and omega. There will be others that will come. I came to Lonvgiew because living in the big city was expensive and traffic was horrible. Longview has affordable housing and a property tax that isn't the same as my mortgage. I can walk to work and not fill up my gas tank for 2 or more weeks. My money stays in my community and not to the oil companies. I will keep my faith here as well. "
goofyone wrote on Jul 3, 2008 11:45 AM:
Onion Ring wrote on Jul 3, 2008 12:07 PM:
Girth VonPhister wrote on Jul 3, 2008 7:09 PM:
goofyone wrote on Jul 4, 2008 12:50 PM:
mom247 wrote on Jul 7, 2008 10:19 AM:
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