[Mack184]

Originally Posted by The Buckeyes

I don't dispute any of the claims but it is hard to believe deficits are so high when on March 16th I visited the er and was seen a PA (physicians assistant) for no more than 10 minutes who spent at least half that time trying to figure out the computer program to enter info. Botton line my insurance company was charged $779.00 for this! Can you imagine what the cost would have been if I was seen by a "REAL" doctor?

I wanted to make a point about how you classed the PA vs. a "REAL" doctor. NPs & PAs are not the medical version of shade-tree mechanics. These people have very serious education and experiential backgrounds. Most states require either a long experience as a nurse, at least an MS and in some cases a PhD or all of the above.

Over the years I don't know how many times my wife has pulled a new 'REAL" doctor's onions out of the fire because he prescribed something that he shouldn't have because he lacked the experience that she had.

Do you need a heart stent? Yep..you should see a really good cardiologist. Need basic medical care? There are many, many fine NPs & PAs who are better set to help you.

As always..choose the right tool for the right job!

[rubicon]

Originally Posted by Mack184

I am not on staff there. Russ Boston is. My wife is an NP, although not at TVRH. However like any profession there is a grapevine and a friend shared the hospital letter with her asking for her advice. That's how I know.

Mack184: Suffice to say I have experienced more than my share of hospitals and I can tell you I have always held nurses in high esteem. It never ceased to amaze me how nurses could work through an entire shift under some the gravest situations dealing with overbearing patients elitist acting doctors and cries and complains of people suffering and yet maintain a positive upbeat attitude. The nursing profession is the one profession I'd always believed was under appreciated and under paid.

So God Bless your wife and Russ Boston. Bravo to them both and their families.

By the way I found that I the news world mad a correction and blueash is right Snowden made $122,000...still too much for him

[Golfingnut]

Must the the reason the parking lot for the staff is filled with Mercedes and Cadilacs.

[Mack184]

Originally Posted by Golfingnut

Must the the reason the parking lot for the staff is filled with Mercedes and Cadilacs.

And old pick-ups and Kias, Mazdas, Chevys, Fords, Buicks, Hondas and so on.

[njbchbum]

Originally Posted by Mack184

I wanted to make a point about how you classed the PA vs. a "REAL" doctor. NPs & PAs are not the medical version of shade-tree mechanics. These people have very serious education and experiential backgrounds. Most states require either a long experience as a nurse, at least an MS and in some cases a PhD or all of the above.

Over the years I don't know how many times my wife has pulled a new 'REAL" doctor's onions out of the fire because he prescribed something that he shouldn't have because he lacked the experience that she had.

Do you need a heart stent? Yep..you should see a really good cardiologist. Need basic medical care? There are many, many fine NPs & PAs who are better set to help you.

As always..choose the right tool for the right job!

mack - i used to share your opinion of pa/np since i was seen by a pa in the villages last year and the diagnosis was spot on - problem was a relatively common one.

but then i recently went to my personal physician here at home and was seen by his 'well experienced' np. she diagnosed arthritis flare up when, in fact, it was an occurence of the same problem i had in the villages. good thing that i knew what it was and could diagnose and explain to her what it was! bottom line, i asked for the script based on the prior occurence and she wrote it!

good and bad/smart and smarter wherever we go - can't be helped. i have always remembered my father's advice - doctor's only practice medicine - be careful who you let practice on you!

back on target with this thread - tvrh would do well to implement extended hours at their urgent care faciity and shuttle patients that come to the e.r. but can be seen at the u.c. center.

[Peggy D]

Why does everyone blame the Federal Affordable Care Act? What is being predicted for the future is taking place NOW!
I worked for an intercity hospital that was a private hospital. Many years ago, it came down that we had to accept anyone who walked through the door--insurance or none. Guess what? Services, pays and positions were cut to make up for lost revenue. Nothing new.

As for the Villages Hospital, I have always defended them in the past, knowing first hand how busy the ED is. But that changed after my son was visiting and was injured. After being triaged, he sat in the waiting room for 4 hours with a closed head injury. That injury takes priority over someone with a cough for two weeks--go to your doctor. Shame on them.
It wasn't until he identified himself as an RN did they consider doing a CATscan!!

[Happinow]

This is very scary. I think the bottom line in health care today is money. While there may be caring medical staff, it all comes down to revenue and I don't think that they really care if we live or die as long as they can make a profit. That's just how I look at health care today. I hope I continue to stay healthy!

[Irishmen]

Originally Posted by Happinow

This is very scary. I think the bottom line in health care today is money. While there may be caring medical staff, it all comes down to revenue and I don't think that they really care if we live or die as long as they can make a profit. That's just how I look at health care today. I hope I continue to stay healthy!

So true Happinow. God Bless us all!

[TraceyMooreRN]

Originally Posted by Peggy D

Why does everyone blame the Federal Affordable Care Act? What is being predicted for the future is taking place NOW!
I worked for an intercity hospital that was a private hospital. Many years ago, it came down that we had to accept anyone who walked through the door--insurance or none. Guess what? Services, pays and positions were cut to make up for lost revenue. Nothing new.

As for the Villages Hospital, I have always defended them in the past, knowing first hand how busy the ED is. But that changed after my son was visiting and was injured. After being triaged, he sat in the waiting room for 4 hours with a closed head injury. That injury takes priority over someone with a cough for two weeks--go to your doctor. Shame on them.
It wasn't until he identified himself as an RN did they consider doing a CATscan!!

I am surprised by the fact that you knew "the cough for two weeks" went first. I can't imagine what it feels like to have a child injured (no matter what age) and then have to wait. However--please know there is protocol for triage--not just coughing. Yes--patients who can see urgent care or their MD need to go and leave the ER for true emergencies....

[Peggy D]

Originally Posted by TraceyMooreRN

I am surprised by the fact that you knew "the cough for two weeks" went first. I can't imagine what it feels like to have a child injured (no matter what age) and then have to wait. However--please know there is protocol for triage--not just coughing. Yes--patients who can see urgent care or their MD need to go and leave the ER for true emergencies....

Of course people around you in the ED waiting room ask what you're there for and are so willing to tell you what their ailment is. That's how I knew she had had a cough. This was not an elderly person, or I would have been more concerned. She wasn't in any distress.
I agree, those non-emergencies need to be seen by a physician or attended to by urgent care but that's where the problem lies, People use the ED as a physician's office.

I am aware there is a triage protocol, but where I've worked, a head injury
is more serious and takes priority. Trust me, I've seen bad outcomes from such injuries.

[The Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by Mack184

I wanted to make a point about how you classed the PA vs. a "REAL" doctor. NPs & PAs are not the medical version of shade-tree mechanics. These people have very serious education and experiential backgrounds. Most states require either a long experience as a nurse, at least an MS and in some cases a PhD or all of the above.

Over the years I don't know how many times my wife has pulled a new 'REAL" doctor's onions out of the fire because he prescribed something that he shouldn't have because he lacked the experience that she had.

Do you need a heart stent? Yep..you should see a really good cardiologist. Need basic medical care? There are many, many fine NPs & PAs who are better set to help you.

As always..choose the right tool for the right job!

My point was the amount charged by the hospital for 10 minutes of work of which half was self training on a computer program. Don't you think that is absurd for a person that does not even have an MD behind his/her name!

[The Buckeyes]

Originally Posted by gomoho

What your insurance company was billed and what they paid are usually two different matters and usually the difference between night and day.

This is very true...my point was the absurd amount charged and if I or you did not have insurance we would be expected to pay that ridiculous charge!

[ilovetv]

Originally Posted by The Buckeyes

This is very true...my point was the absurd amount charged and if I or you did not have insurance we would be expected to pay that ridiculous charge!

This is a good illustration of how, when "somebody else" pays the bill i.e. insurance both public and private, there is no reason/incentive for the patient to seek out the most economical or cost-effective place or way to get treated.

[Russ_Boston]

Just want to verify what the OP said in the first post. Got the letter the other day.

One thing to clear up though: TVRH is not alone in Central FL as it relates to poor pay and benefits. All the other hospitals I checked out in the 30 mile radius around TV (Ocala, Monroe, Waterman, Citrus, Clermont etc.) are the same or EVEN WORSE!

It is possible to get a job or a travel job in Orlando but the base is really not that much higher unless you have a steady travel RN gig.

But it is what it is and I don't get those benefits that were cut so it (the new cuts) didn't effect me at all.

[asianthree]

its not just in fl other states are going thru the same thing