[Vision2020] Gritman Cardiac Rehab

[B. J. Swanson]

Dear Community Members,

 

It has been a busy couple of weeks for Gritman Medical Center.  As you may
have heard, Latah Health Services recently discontinued its physical therapy
and skilled nursing operations.  At the request of Latah Health Services,
our County Commissioners, many community members and in an effort to
maintain an important service to our community, Gritman Medical Center has
agreed to temporarily take on management of the therapy pool, formerly
operated by Latah Health Services.  With that comes a large space that
Gritman would need to make positive use of to assure this arrangement does
not become a further financial burden on pool operations or our community.

 

This agreement is barely days old, as it was formally decided on October 11.
With just weeks to consider the feasibility of this plan Gritman has had
very little time to communicate with our patients and the community
regarding the affect this will have on services.  As such, we would like to
apologize for any misunderstandings that may have prompted uncertainty,
especially regarding our Cardiac Rehab program.

 

There have been rumors that Gritman would move that entire program to Latah
Health Services without taking the proper precautions to ensure our
patients' safety.  Please accept our assurance that no programs will be
moved to this facility without all of the proper staff and equipment those
programs require to promote patient safety.  If it is not feasible to meet
this standard of care for a particular program, it will not be moved.  In
short, our patients' safety and wellbeing are first and foremost in our
consideration of how to proceed with services in the additional space.

 

We would like to share with you where we are going from here.  At this time
we are reviewing our Cardiac Rehab and Wellness Program to determine the
feasibility of potentially moving all or part of those services (again, only
if safe and feasible for all involved) to this new space.  We view this as a
great opportunity to improve and increase the services Gritman offers to our
community.  Pool programs will continue as is with Gritman taking over
management on November 1, 2006.  By that time, we will have a concrete plan
in place for the remainder of the space; one that is a good blend of
programs, community benefit, and of course, is safe for all potential
patients or participants.  That adjustment is slated to begin by
mid-November.  

 

We would like to thank all of our patients, staff, and participants for
their understanding and support in this endeavor.  We are very happy to play
a role in continuing what is certainly a valuable resource to our community,
the Latah therapy pool.  This would not have been possible without the
dedication of our community and your support in making this a reality.
Please don't hesitate to contact us at (208) 883-6008 should you have any
additional questions or comments. 

 

Thank you,

 

Sincerely,

 

Gritman Medical Center

 

B.J. Swanson                          Jeffrey W. Martin
Ryan McAllister

Chairman of the Board           President & CEO                    Therapy
Solutions Director

 

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-----Original Message-----
From: vision2020-bounces at moscow.com [mailto:vision2020-bounces at moscow.com]
On Behalf Of Tom Hansen
Sent: Friday, October 13, 2006 12:11 PM
To: Vision 2020
Subject: [Vision2020] Termination of the Cardio Rehab Program at Gritman

 

Reproduced below is a letter addressed to Jeff Martin, CEO of Gritman

Medical Services, from Representative Tom Trail, concerning the planned

transfer of Gritman's Cardio Rehab Unit to the Latah Therapy Unit.

 

A copy of this letter was obtained by my wife while at her appointment this

morning.

 

I strongly encourage support of Rep. Trail's concerns as this move would

adversely impact the readiness of an invaluable program.

 

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

October 12, 2006

 

Jeff Martin, CEO

Gritman Medical Services

700 S. Main St.

Moscow, Id. 83843

 

Dear Jeff:

 

It came as quite a shock for those of us who participate in the Gritman

Cardio Rehab Program that plans are being made to transfer the Cardio Rehab

Unit to the Latah Therapy Unit.  This sudden decision without consulting

those of us who participate in the Cardio Rehab Program appears to violate

areas of Gritman Medical Centers Vision, Mission and Values Statement.

 

We view the major problem as safety and access to immediate life support

assistance when crisis situations occur,  There are documented cases that

individuals who were participating in the Cardio Rehab Program at Gritman

and collapsed were only saved because of the location of the program in the

hospital.  Immediate access to the crash cart, emergency room, and the

doctors and staff were crucial elements to the survival of those affected.

The constant monitoring of the cardio rehab participants and knowledge of

the participants by cardio rehab staff has been crucial in providing timely

interventions which in a number of cases has saved lives.  My cardiologist

indicates that he views it as essential for me to be closely monitored when

I exercise and be close to life support systems.  This is true of many of

the cardio rehab participants including those who had open heart surgery.

 

By moving the Cardio Rehab Program to Latah Therapy it becomes a major

safety issues of those who participate in the program.  As they say, "Time

is Life," and without the support system we now have in place, access to

immediate medical attention and increased distance with the location at

Latah Therapy, the chances increase that a participant who suffers a major

heart crisis will not survive.  This places Gritman Medical Services at a

higher liability risk.

 

We would like to request a meeting to meet with you and the Board to present

our very serious concerns.

 

Sincerely,

 

Rep. Tom Trail

 

------------------------------------------------------------------

 

Failing any satisfactory response from Mr. Martin, I would demand that he

outline those benefits associated with such a move that would outweigh the

hardship being forced upon Cardio Rehab Program participants.

 

Tom Hansen

Moscow, Idaho

 

 

 

 

 

 

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