Hurricanes hammer hospital profits

oramar · Sep 14, 2004

No matter how bad things are they are about to get worse.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Sep 14, 2004

Our hospital was highly upset at having to cancel elective surgeries today only to have nice weather. (Being more greatful for the nice weather, but being bitter the forcasters predicted a direct hit here then changed their mind.) They briefly thought about calling those patients and asking them to come back. But the director of the OR said after telling all but emergency OR staff that they are off for the day with 24 hours notice they might not be able to get them all in to work and they just stayed canceled.

Oh well, they'll just cut staff and make us work bare bones for a while and they'll make up for it. (Sarcastic grin).

cannoli · Sep 14, 2004

Our hospital was highly upset at having to cancel elective surgeries today only to have nice weather. (Being more greatful for the nice weather, but being bitter the forcasters predicted a direct hit here then changed their mind.) They briefly thought about calling those patients and asking them to come back. But the director of the OR said after telling all but emergency OR staff that they are off for the day with 24 hours notice they might not be able to get them all in to work and they just stayed canceled.
Oh well, they'll just cut staff and make us work bare bones for a while and they'll make up for it. (Sarcastic grin).

Those patients probably all ATE after they got the cancel call!!! :chuckle :chuckle Good thing they didn't try to call them back! :rotfl: :rotfl:

directcare4me · Sep 14, 2004

This is the reason that I don't like health care companies as an investment vehicle. I truly don't see how health care can be profitable. Oh sure, the drug and device makers do well; but companies whose business is to provide health care (ie, hospitals)---I just don't see how they can make money and provide the care needed. Too many uninsured, too much haggling over reimbursement from insurance companies, too much overhead. Does it make sense to anyone else?

But yet companies still seem to think that they will all get rich; and I guess, the CEO's and top level of executives do.

And I think they resent like heck the amount they have to pay for nursing services.

lee1 · Sep 15, 2004

IMO I don't think that morally hospitals should be allowed to be for-profit. After all most receive direct tax payors money for one reason or another.

Even those who are non-profit should be investigated. Why should hospital CEOS be making salaries of more than $1 million while forcing nurses to work in stressfull conditions which may impact patient lives??? It is a disgrace which needs to be brought more to the public attention.