The Carlisle Regional Medical Center is defending itself after an explosive 60 Minutes story ran Sunday about the hospital fraudulently admitting patients simply to make money.
The administration at the hospital is calling the story that aired last night on 60 Minutes “irresponsible journalism”. They say it is flat out not true.
“Actually I was appalled,” commented Medical Staff President Howard Alster. “I felt it was a total misrepresentation about how physicians function in this hospital.”
“I think everybody in the community has concern that everybody is out trying to make money,” added Emergency Room Medical Director Scott Miekley. “But I practice according to how I was trained and the oath that I took.”
These two doctors are speaking out against two doctors who used to work at Carlisle Regional Medical Center. In the 60 Minutes report that aired Sunday night, two former physicians from the Carlisle Regional Medical Center said they were forced by the hospital to admit patients and perform unnecessary tests to make money.
In fact, they said they had to fill a quota, something these doctors say in absolutely false.
“Decisions to admit are always based on physicians speaking to physicians with nothing coming from the administration,” added President Alster.
The hospital points to figures to back up its story. Data show that in September of this year the average length of stay in the ER was three hours and two minutes, the average stay one year prior was 5.5 hours.
They also say the number of patients that leave the ER with no treatment exceeds the national average. Plus, according to government numbers, the ER Medicare inpatient admission rate of 41% at Carlisle is below the state average of 43%.
“If the data doesn't support the allegations, then the story should not have run,” commented Carlisle Regional Medical Center CEO John Kristel. “I am concerned about it hurting the hospital. Mostly from the perspective about the community not having the trust in us that they should be confident in having.”
Both the former Carlisle doctors left the hospital about a year ago. We are told they now work for Pinnacle Health.
The administration at the hospital is calling the story that aired last night on 60 Minutes “irresponsible journalism”. They say it is flat out not true.
“Actually I was appalled,” commented Medical Staff President Howard Alster. “I felt it was a total misrepresentation about how physicians function in this hospital.”
“I think everybody in the community has concern that everybody is out trying to make money,” added Emergency Room Medical Director Scott Miekley. “But I practice according to how I was trained and the oath that I took.”
These two doctors are speaking out against two doctors who used to work at Carlisle Regional Medical Center. In the 60 Minutes report that aired Sunday night, two former physicians from the Carlisle Regional Medical Center said they were forced by the hospital to admit patients and perform unnecessary tests to make money.
In fact, they said they had to fill a quota, something these doctors say in absolutely false.
“Decisions to admit are always based on physicians speaking to physicians with nothing coming from the administration,” added President Alster.
The hospital points to figures to back up its story. Data show that in September of this year the average length of stay in the ER was three hours and two minutes, the average stay one year prior was 5.5 hours.
They also say the number of patients that leave the ER with no treatment exceeds the national average. Plus, according to government numbers, the ER Medicare inpatient admission rate of 41% at Carlisle is below the state average of 43%.
“If the data doesn't support the allegations, then the story should not have run,” commented Carlisle Regional Medical Center CEO John Kristel. “I am concerned about it hurting the hospital. Mostly from the perspective about the community not having the trust in us that they should be confident in having.”
Both the former Carlisle doctors left the hospital about a year ago. We are told they now work for Pinnacle Health.