Statement from Al Byers

Chief Executive Officer

Haywood Regional Medical Center

Regarding the Initial Progress Report of the Compass Group

March 7, 2008

 

         

Today, the Board of Directors, administration and staff of Haywood Regional Medical Center received its initial progress report from the Compass Group based on their assessment of the hospital over the last five days.

            The Compass Group has confirmed that there are a number of serious issues that need immediate attention in order to obtain our recertification as Medicaid and Medicare providers.

            As Dr. Fenner noted, Haywood Regional Medical Center is a complex system, composed of 100s of distinct yet interrelated components. Some of those components are not working in the manner they must be, the manner that we expect them to be.

            But I don’t want to focus only on those areas where we have issues to resolve.  As Compass also noted, there are whole entire areas that are indeed working properly and we are pleased that Compass has confirmed that as well.

            But I also agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Fenner’s comment – any institution is only as good as its people and Haywood Regional Medical Center has good people – concerned, dedicated, enthusiastic, committed professionals at every level – all the way up to its Board of Directors.  We have had some leadership issues in the past – those issues are behind us. 

The issues we are facing are serious, and we realize we have a great deal of work to do.  But I am most encouraged – as everyone who works at and supports the hospital should be as well – that every issue that has been identified is not only fixable, but fixable within the timeframe we have identified to obtain our recertification.

            It’s going to take a lot of hard work.  It’s going to take a rededication.  It’s going to take leadership and commitment from our entire hospital family including our local community leaders, the public.

            I want to be the first person to go on record to say -- you have my full and total commitment to make it happen.

            Please stand with us, support our efforts to provide the highest level of medical care and to improve and enhance the quality of life for all of our residents.

 

 

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