More hospitals fighting budgets and having enough money in the till to offer good patient services and stay in business. Surgery rooms schedules are tighter these days too, with operating the rooms at the shortest time element possible as well, somewhat additional stress at times for hospital workers too when the schedules get real tight. BD
Hospitals are also in the position of being "crystal balls"" when it comes to preparing and recommending annual budgets too, as they will be required to cover costs and items that do not even yet exist at the time of preparation, but will come in to play for the budget year is out. All it takes is one new law, one new rule, for a simple example to send things over the limits. BD
A pretty lengthy article going through many issues, but the long and short of it is that the facility is still losing money and physicians and others are being cut in order to find ways to create a profitable environment. BD
That a prominent surgeon would write such a scathing letter about his boss is a testament to the extent of the problems and discord at Miami Beach's Mount Sinai, a once-thriving institution that now persistently loses money ($11.5 million last year), has only two of every five of its licensed beds occupied and carries more than $250 million in junk bond debt.
As its losses have mounted, so has patient unhappiness. A federal survey released earlier this year showed Mount Sinai ranked 18th of 22 South Florida hospitals for patient satisfaction.Last year, 90 doctors signed a letter lamenting the removal of radiologists and demanding the administration ``create an environment that is open to discussions with concerned members of the medical staff.''
Tensions between medical staffs and hospitals are common, and Mount Sinai is no exception.Last year, foundation President Marla Bergmann resigned, a surprise move because her husband, George, has long been one of the foundation's biggest contributors.
He says he will continue to battle tough conditions. Since he took over six years ago, he says Sinai has invested $150 million in capital improvements, intended to attract patients from all over.
``Twenty years ago, 80 percent of our patients were from Miami Beach. Today, 45 percent of our patients are from Miami Beach. That's an incredible statistic.''
The same issues here, money or lack of, laying of physicians and stating the quality of care won't change...don't think so..BD 
Hospital doctors may be the next casualties of cost-cutting measures by the new administration of Cape Cod Healthcare, which owns the Cape's two hospitals.
Rumors are swirling that Cape Cod Healthcare, which recently announced a $17.6 million revenue loss, is about to lay off so-called hospitalists, doctors who treat patients whose primary care physicians don't do rounds at the hospitals.
Doctors would be the latest round of layoffs that began this spring, when retiring CEO Steve Abbott announced Cape Cod Healthcare had suffered a $17.6 million revenue loss in seven months.
The company responded by laying off 11 employees, mainly in mid-management and clerical positions. Cost-cutting measures also required 12 senior executives to take a 10 percent pay cut. And employees were asked to consider early retirement, Reilly said.
Hat Tip: Kevin, MD
Story from last week: 3 Hospitals
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