The CEO of two local hospitals who have been facing some bad publicity lately, is speaking out.
The latest news against Lancaster Regional and Heart of Lancaster Hospitals, was a state report that notes significantly high infection rates at the medical facilities. But it's not the only damaging news lately.
The parent company of Lancaster Regional Medical Center and Heart of Lancaster is Florida based Health Management Associates.
First, "60 Minutes" ran a segment questioning pressure from HMA on doctors to admit patients even when not needed, to keep numbers up. Then a state report that says, infection rates at the two hospitals are higher than they should be for facilities of their size.
In fact, they are double what the state would consider acceptable.
Bob Moore, CEO, of both hospitals says the numbers are from 2011. He says employees have since undergone intensive training, specifically in problem areas from the state report. Over the phone, he says "We have improved significantly. While the year is not over I know we'll be in the acceptable range next year."
There are more problems plaguing the hospitals, Pennsylvania Insurance Network Gateway has canceled its Medicaid contract with both facilities. Roughly 2,000 patients will need to find new providers or doctors by the end of the month.
Moore says, "They wanted to find a way to continue partnering with gateway. But Gateway negotiators made that impossible." He points out the hospitals have been recognized as top performers by a Federal Government National Certification Agency.
The Gateway move will also impact Medicaid patients at Carlisle Regional, which is also owned by HMA.
The latest news against Lancaster Regional and Heart of Lancaster Hospitals, was a state report that notes significantly high infection rates at the medical facilities. But it's not the only damaging news lately.
The parent company of Lancaster Regional Medical Center and Heart of Lancaster is Florida based Health Management Associates.
First, "60 Minutes" ran a segment questioning pressure from HMA on doctors to admit patients even when not needed, to keep numbers up. Then a state report that says, infection rates at the two hospitals are higher than they should be for facilities of their size.
In fact, they are double what the state would consider acceptable.
Bob Moore, CEO, of both hospitals says the numbers are from 2011. He says employees have since undergone intensive training, specifically in problem areas from the state report. Over the phone, he says "We have improved significantly. While the year is not over I know we'll be in the acceptable range next year."
There are more problems plaguing the hospitals, Pennsylvania Insurance Network Gateway has canceled its Medicaid contract with both facilities. Roughly 2,000 patients will need to find new providers or doctors by the end of the month.
Moore says, "They wanted to find a way to continue partnering with gateway. But Gateway negotiators made that impossible." He points out the hospitals have been recognized as top performers by a Federal Government National Certification Agency.
The Gateway move will also impact Medicaid patients at Carlisle Regional, which is also owned by HMA.