Anybody heard the rumor that ECM is trying to sell Shoals hospital to Keller? Seems they want to close the ICU and ER at Shoals and consolidate.
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I heard that it was the beginning steps of the merging of Keller and Coffee Health Group.But ya know how rumors fly,there will be dozens of them. We won't know whats really going on til its a done deal.
There have been two articles in the TD about the possibility of a consolidation in order to qualify for Medicare funding. I haven't heard any rumors about anything new in two or three months.
seems like a bright idea to me. the only reason we have 2 competitive hospitals within about 3 miles of each other is because of the freakin' railroad tracks. shoals should be triage type place..treat colds, flu, cuts requiring stitches, broken bones not requiring surgical fixation...etc..and when the train isn't blocking the tracks...transfer asap the cardiac, maternity and surgical emergencies to keller.
CHG and HKH combining would hurt us very badly. I refuse to go to ECM for anything unless I am hurt beyond making a choice (ie wreck). We need to keep 2 different hospitals functioning in our area to insure quality care. I agree with qtpatooooty that Shoals should be a triage facility and for colds and other minor issues -- that would free up the other two ERs to be able to handle in a timely manner and with more attention to the major issues at hand than I have a cough due to cold.
I have been lucky enough to only have broken a bone once. I was taken directly to Keller- I sat there for 7 hours. 7 hours for them to tell me it was broken (which I knew that when I heard it).
Since that day, I always go to Shoals Hospital for emergency care. Nothing else broken- but we children- we are in the need for emergency care once in a while. We are in without the hassle of waiting for hours and out with good treatment.
Since that day, I always go to Shoals Hospital for emergency care. Nothing else broken- but we children- we are in the need for emergency care once in a while. We are in without the hassle of waiting for hours and out with good treatment.
quote:Originally posted by qtpatooooty66:
seems like a bright idea to me. the only reason we have 2 competitive hospitals within about 3 miles of each other is because of the freakin' railroad tracks. shoals should be triage type place..treat colds, flu, cuts requiring stitches, broken bones not requiring surgical fixation...etc..and when the train isn't blocking the tracks...transfer asap the cardiac, maternity and surgical emergencies to keller.
I don't believe Shoals has OB facilities.
correct..shoals does not have ob/gyn units. i imagine that they do, however, have the occasional pregnant woman dropping by for a quickie delivery.
I don't think they're planning to have an ER at Shoals.
so what are the plans? i'm really kinda concerned because i plan never to go to keller ER as a patient again...nor will i ever be admitted there again.
This seems connected to the article on Shoals' doctors.
Why not just close all hospitals in the Shoals and send everyone to Huntsville.
It SEEMS like thats what we are moving toward. After ECM bought the old Colonial Manor they turned that facility into an office complex. THAT is partially the reason that you can die waiting at either of our local hospitals. Have any of you been to the emergency room lately?? One member of my family waited 12 hours to be treated in EMERGENCY.
Local healthcare is an embarrassing joke and the hospitals seem like they are run by the 3 Stooges.
It SEEMS like thats what we are moving toward. After ECM bought the old Colonial Manor they turned that facility into an office complex. THAT is partially the reason that you can die waiting at either of our local hospitals. Have any of you been to the emergency room lately?? One member of my family waited 12 hours to be treated in EMERGENCY.
Local healthcare is an embarrassing joke and the hospitals seem like they are run by the 3 Stooges.
Shoals Hopital has been without a permanent director for over three years. Jody Pigg is the CFO and acting CEO. I now assume the reason a permanent director has not been chosen before now is that the Coffee Health Group has been trying to sell Shoals--under the radar, of course.
thats because 99% of the folks in the EMERGENCY room aren't there for EMERGENCIES! if it was reserved for emergency cases, there wouldn't be a wait. when folks show up for a headache, stomach ache, sniffles, or twisted ankle, it bogs the system down and they HAVE to be seen. therefore, when you show up with something really wrong, you are behind all those who shouldn't be there. its not necessarily "first come, first served", but it still causes a wait.quote:Originally posted by toomuchofit:
One member of my family waited 12 hours to be treated in EMERGENCY.
No one should have to wait in an ER for 12 ours with or without an emergent problem.
I agree. thats what the doctor's office is for. the emergency room is for EMERGENCIES!quote:Originally posted by WhatsUP:
No one should have to wait in an ER for 12 ours with or without an emergent problem.
I remember when my mother broke her foot maybe 20 years ago on a Saturday night; I took her to Shoals Hospital. (We heard the bone in her foot break - sounded like a tree limb breaking). They took her immediately (no wait) and the man (nurse?) who guided her through all the steps from the doctor to the x-ray and who put a cast on her foot was very professional and had a great bedside manner.
I have been reading lately about all the cutbacks and about hospitals that are overrun with non-emergency cases. That is what is causing the big back ups according to the reports. I remember a minimum wage mother I once knew who took her children to the emergency room when they had earaches. One of the children's eardrum burst because they had to wait so long. She said she had to take the children to the emergency room so that the service would be free (due to her being low income). She had no money to pay a doctor. I will not make a judgment either way on this situation, but there are people in this country that are qualified who should be able to come up with a plan to resolve these issues.
I have been reading lately about all the cutbacks and about hospitals that are overrun with non-emergency cases. That is what is causing the big back ups according to the reports. I remember a minimum wage mother I once knew who took her children to the emergency room when they had earaches. One of the children's eardrum burst because they had to wait so long. She said she had to take the children to the emergency room so that the service would be free (due to her being low income). She had no money to pay a doctor. I will not make a judgment either way on this situation, but there are people in this country that are qualified who should be able to come up with a plan to resolve these issues.