Doctor: Money Problems Plague Hospital
posted 9:09 pm Mon November 19, 2007 - Washington
"They don't answer the phone calls, keep saying Tuesday, the check is coming and do forth," said Dr. Rida Azer. Two weeks ago, Envision Hospital Corporation sold the troubled facility to Specialty Hospitals of America, leaving behind seven million dollars in unpaid bills.
Doctors and companies providing supplies such as hip and knee replacements have quit or sued."We manage to borrow from other hospitals if it's an emergency, we manage to call in the middle of the night and beg to have them transferred," said Dr. Azer.
Doctors ran out of plates, screws and other equipment because the suppliers refuse to deliver.
"They've been owed money for years and have not been paid. They're reluctant to do this. The net result of this is that the equipment that they have there is outmoded and obsolete," said Dr. Peter Trent, orthopedic surgeon.
Brenda Gwynn had carpal tunnel surgery at Greater Southeast and said her doctor was great, but said she's worried about the crisis. "When I go there, am I still going to get the same type of service I had before? If you're short money, you can't! It's impossible to get the same type of service," said Gwynn.
The new owner's chairman, Jim Rappaport, said the bookkeeping at the hospital is a mess and they're working hard to resolve unpaid bills and have already paid out $1 million. "Our expectation is that between now and the first week of December we will take care of another $3 million. All new services are being paid for. It is a process....This place has been abused for so long."
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