N4I Daily Briefing | 9:00 PM Thu, Jun 05, 2008
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August 2008
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Forest Park Hospital in St. Louis was first built in 1929. And after 79 years, community leaders and local healthcare industry heavyweights are questioning if the hospital is on its last leg. It was losing millions annually when Tenet sold the hospital to its current owner, Envision Hospitals of America, formerly known as Doctors Community Healthcare Corporation. The company says it buys distressed hospitals which are at risk of closing and tries to turn them around. And Envision says that was the goal when it bought Forest Park Hospital and St. Alexius Hospital in 2005. But the current state of the two hospitals, under Envision's ownership and the company's track record, has many concerned about the future of the hospitals and safety of patients. Envision admits that the two hospitals have gotten behind on their bills. But companies which sell supplies or provide services to the hospitals will tell you that's an understatement. The hospitals' electric bills went unpaid for so long that the total past due amount owed to Ameren UE topped $800,000. It got so bad that Ameren notified Forest Park Hospital and the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services that unless the bill was paid, it would turn off the electricity. A drastic measure to get the company to pay its bill. The hospitals are now making payments. The past due amount on Forest Park's water bill topped $57,000. In March, the hospital agreed to a payment plan, but after missing the first payment, wouldn't take call nor return calls to representatives from MSD. The hospitals are currently adhering to a subsequently arranged payment plan. Because the hospitals weren't making payments or were far behind on payments, some companies refuse to do business with them and others will only deliver medical supplies needed for scheduled operations and daily medical care, if those supplies are shipped, cash on delivery. Hospital officials say they've adopted a "just-in-time" policy for ordering supplies to keep costs down. Envision admits that its total debt for both hospitals, owed to vendors is $24 million. Lawsuits from companies that have gone unpaid have piled up and those companies that have agreed to a settlement usually got 50-60% of the full amount owed. The situation begs the question, Is this anyway to run a company? Well, those who have dealt with Envision, in another city, say that all of this is by design. In fact, they describe it as the company's business model.
The fear is that Envision's way of running a hospital is causing conditions to degenerate at Forest Park Hospital and St. Alexius Hospital, reducing the quality of care and putting patients at risk. In a statement released by the company regarding Forest Park Hospital, it says that the hospital continues to meet all Joint Commission and Department of Health standards. But here are two clues that there are troubling changes happening at Forest Park Hospital. After 20 years, cardiologist Dr. Wendall Williams recently left, saying he no longer thought it would be safe to have his patients treated there. And malpractice attorney Keith Short says he's seen a sharp increase in the last couple of years, from people approaching his firm wanting to file a malpractice lawsuit against Forest Park Hospital. He says referrals from other law firms for these kinds of cases, which involve Forest Park Hospital, far outnumber referrals involving other hospitals. Envision executives say they're working to secure new financing that will turn things around at Forest Park Hospital and St. Alexius Hospital. But that financing comes with stipulations that make sure the money doesn't end up somewhere else in the company besides the St. Louis hospital. Envision says it rescued the two hospitals from almost certain closure and that better days are ahead. Hospital employees, patients and the community are hoping that's true. But the company's actions to date, leave many with serious doubts. 
7 CommentsLeave a comment |
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Just think about how all of those employees
feel having to worry if their place of
employment will be around next month. I like
the convenience of both hospitals so
I don't want either one to close.
We have enough job lost in St. Louis. I pray
that this company knows what it is doing.
Don't waist time and money on a bull****
plan!!! All a man has is his word so
PAY YOUR DEBTS!
I am a long standing employee of Forest Park Hospital. I would like everyone to know that the nurses at Forest Park Hospital continue to give our patients exceptional patient care. I have had numerous comments from patients commending our staff on the personal attention and quality care they recieved while at our institution.
The article above pales in comparison to the inflammatory story that aired on Channel 4 Thursday night. The staff members of Forest Park Community Hospital were insulted by the Mr. Kinsaul's story.
I want the people of St. Louis to know that Forest Park Community Hospital is here for you. We are doing well. We are proud of our hospital. The problems of our parent corporation do not define who we are...a community hospital dedicated to serving the needs of the citizens of St. Louis. We need our supporters to be vocal. Stand up and shout! Forest Park Hospital is not going anywhere!
I have been an employee of Forest Park Hospital for three years. I have always been paid on time and the benefits the hospital offers us are excellent. I work with a very diverse group of caring, competent professionals. I enjoy coming to work here every day, and that hasn't changed.
I notice KMOV's report did leave out some crucial facts about Forest Park Hospital and Envision. Forest Park Hospital treats a very disproportionate share of St. Louis' indigent population (as does St. Alexius). I have seen both insured and uninsured patients cared for here, and I can safely say that good care is provided to our patients, without regard to ability to pay. Our ER wait time is frequently measured in minutes, rather than hours, unlike nearly every other hospital around us. As for the commentary in the article from the lawyer and the physician--I'll need more than anecdotal evidence from two people before I believe there is a serious disaster pending.
Yes, Forest Park Hospital has lost money. It has failed to pay its vendors in a timely fashion on numerous occasions. But Envision could've simply given up, closed FPH's doors, and sold the assets to cash out. They haven't. They've remained committed to keeping the hospital open and operating, even through times when it almost certainly would've been easier to throw in the towel.
The bottom line? The local media sources seem to cast a poor image on Forest Park Hospital any chance they get. I've very rarely seen anything that talks about the good this institution does (and yes, it is substantial). There are certainly places I could choose to work that might offer more comprehensive benefits, guaranteed stability, or slightly better pay. But the patients, coworkers, and atmosphere keep me coming back to Forest Park Hospital. I'm proud to work here and that will not change, no matter how many negative articles KMOV decides to publish about us. Next time, tell the whole story instead of focusing on the sensational negative information.
FPH is a hot mess! What kind of example are they setting when they can't pay even the most basic of bills. The ELECTRIC?? Come on! Shame.....
I have been employed at the hospital for several years, and have a second family. Once I leave my family at home to come to Forest Park Hospital, I am greeted by my second family. These folks are my fellow employees.
I am very proud of these true professionals that work in all departments in the hospital.There attention to detail, the care that they provide,and the pride they take in their everyday duties is second to none. To watch them work is amazing.
I am provided with insurance that allows me to go to basically any hospital that I wish when I need medical attention. My preference is Forest Park Hospital for medical care. The reason for this is that I trust the doctors, nurses, and medical professionals here with my life, not because I work here.
It seems this report is targeted at the employees of the hospital, and their failure to provide quality care which I feel is not fair. Everyone here strives each day to to make that little bit of difference in someway, it may be comforting someone , taking patients or the patients family to the areas they want to go to so they will not be lost. We all try to visit and greet patients and their families to ensure their every need is met. This is not narrowed down to just to medical, we strive to provide a comfortable, safe environment as well. We are not out of compliance with any authoriy having jurisdiction over us, we have a clean slate.
I hear quite a bit about when this was Deaconess Hospital, and how good it was. What folks do not realize is that the majority of the employees when this was Deaconess is still here, and still have the same commitment to our community.
We have had some what of a rough go of it, and with each challenge we banded together and made it through. We are a fantastic team, and we will do whatever it takes to provide quality medical care, in a quality hospital.
I would encourage the investigation reporters to come and see the real Forest Park Community Hospital. Bad press is easy to report, good press takes to time to investigate, and report the truth.
Well its pretty obvious upper management is writing these positive statements. We are suing Forest Park right now for malpractice. A seperate issue from our 9 month medical disater, one night a patient across the hall was yelling for help so long that I finally went to nurses desk, who informed she must push her own call button. WHAT? you coulde here her screaming. Found out she was in her 80's and had just had her leg amputated that day. Whoever thinks this is "caring", "competent"or "attention to detail" is out of their mind!