New Hospital?-- 3/8

"Surgeons have been stymied and frustrated by the loss of surgical services. Generalists and medical sub-specialists have been alarmed at poor nursing ratios, loss of morale among hospital staff, [and] sub-contracting out of ancillary services" such as physical therapy, with an attendant loss of availability of those services....

This was a quote, which some say describes PRMC to a "T", from an article dealing with "boutique hospitals". There are current limitations on such hospitals, but they, for the most part, are based on the limitations of service. A hospital with a more open scope of care might scrape under the wire.

We have physicians from the community requesting privileges at other area hospitals--because that's where their patients are going. Both hospitals in Clarksville and Bonham are planning expansions or updates because of the increased patient loads.

The original North Campus hospital was built from a disagreement in principle between administration of St Joseph's and the doctors. Some stayed, some left. Why should it be any different now?

Even under Christus, a new facility was planned. I haven't heard it mentioned very much lately except in questions. Maybe it's time physicians step up to the plate?

It would be essentially based on self-interest: With the plans in the works by the hospital for bringing in a cardiologist, possibly direct-referring cardio-vascular cutter and internists, (under contract?), the pool will certainly be diluted, with far less influence exerted by the physicians as a whole. Radiology has gotten a taste, who's next?

A split-practice between Dallas and here is far less impacted--they can just shift emphasis (generally they live in Dallas, anyway.) But those that are invested with the community are far more vulnerable, and who wants to go through the pains of re-establishing a practice?...with Dallas prices on the square footage ($.90 vs $14 /sqft, Arlington 'boutique' hospital $35/sqft)!

A new facility might actually bring in more specialties (neuro, plastics, and the like) which would tend to stem the outflow of referrals to Dallas, and keep revenues in the community.

Pie in the sky? Possibly, but it was a group years ago that made it a reality. Those with a problem with the North/South should see this as an opportunity. Those with an Essent problem should likewise be empowered. The rest might just like a facility that looks clean, new, and without roaches.