Bucks
Dear Friends,
Good
morning. The President of St. Luke’s
Ed hoped that his listeners would take one story home from his three topics. But the story that fascinated me was not what he’d intended to emphasize, however. Ed’s mission that morning was to give the hospital’s impressive 12 month record; show the national, state, and local health landscape; and enlist support from the community.
It was the story of “Sparky” which captured my attention.
“Sparky” is a terrier that lives in Kintnersville. Late one night, “Sparky’s” owners found him in terrible agony. He had eaten something, which put him at death’s door. The owners rushed “Sparky” to one of the area veterinary clinics but the symptoms demanded an unusual drug to save him.
The vet called three pharmacies but
all were closed. I think he called several large hospitals too but none could
help. Finally, the vet thought of the emergency room at St. Luke’s
I loved that story because it showed how a small hospital with only 60 beds cared enough to try to solve a problem…even when it wasn’t expected. Privacy worries prevented Ed from identifying the family. But he knows that my readers like a good human-interest story. Maybe he’ll convince “Sparky’s” parents to give me a call.
In setting the health care landscape, Ed began his report by reminding us that there are 45 million Americans with no health insurance. These unfortunates use emergency rooms at a much higher cost than a trip to a physician’s office. Worse, hospitals do not receive 100 percent reimbursement from Medicaid. Ed told us that his hospital had 17,000 emergency room visits during the year.
He listed
three critical questions about health care in
“No,” he
answered. “In
Ed believes that tort reform would lower frivolous mal practice suits, which cause hospitals and physicians to practice defensive medicine. To protect physicians and hospitals from litigation, they’re forced to order more tests than necessary, just to protect them, I believe.
Ed informed
the group about four community hospital misconceptions. “Is the technology as
good as a large hospital’s,” he asked? “Yes,” he replied. “For example, our
radiology department is as up to date as the Hospital of the
“Do we have enough specialists,” he continued? “Yes,” he answered. Ed emphasized that St. Luke’s Quakertown Hospital stays ahead of the technology curve, which helps recruit young doctors. “For example, we have Dr. Matthew Puc who was trained at Penn as a lung cancer thoracic surgeon,” Ed continued.
Puc informed us that 80 percent of lung cancers are related to smoking. “Radon in the home is next,” he added, then advised everyone to have their homes inspected.
“Is our hospital financially sound,” Ed asked? “We’re doing extremely well,” he replied. “The hospital is profitable and continues to hire more employees each year. We’re the largest employer in the Quakertown area.”
“Finally,” Ed concluded, “Our
quality is better than the largest hospitals. “For example, we’re in the top 10
percent of hospitals in
Ed reminded the group that the St.
Luke’s
And the new
By the way, here’s who attended the two sessions: William Aichele, Tom Bisko, Danielle Bodnar, Dr. Tom Bonekemper, Vince Bowers, Bill Bushnell, Kathy Clancy, Representative Paul Clymer, Susan Dale, Carol Daniels, John Detweiler, Ann Donley, Audrey Eames, Sally Fabian, Kathryn Frazier, Cheri Freeh, Paul Geraghty, Cindi Goodin, Brad Hendershot, Richard Hoch, Doug Hutchinson, Mike Johnson, Dr. Timothy Kirby, Rev. and Mrs. Craig Landis, Alex Londino, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Martin, Scott McElree, Mary Kay McMahon, John Mininger, Robert Moffett, Glenn Moyer, Naomi Naylor, Tim Neiman, Michael Orlic, Diane Orzechowski, Edward Refsnider, Wendy Ringenary, L. James Roberts, Blair Rush, Jeffrey Stauffer, Luanne Stauffer, Michael Tannous, Dr. Paul Weibel, Jim Wilson, and Dave Woglom.
I’d say that it’s onward and upward
for St. Luke’s
Sincerely,
Charles Meredith