Holy Cross Hospital's Future: Expansion Or Reduction?

Holy Cross Hospital is a Catholic, non-profit, teaching hospital operating in the spirit of the Sisters of Mercy. It is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and is also present in Silver Spring, Maryland, and Germantown. In 2016, a shift to 'critical access' status sparked debate at Holy Cross, with some arguing that the hospital should focus on sustainability and growth rather than shrinking. The hospital's CEO, Bill Patten, believed the new designation would benefit the hospital, but faced resistance from employees and the community. Holy Cross has since shown signs of financial improvement, with recent operating income figures in the positive.

Holy Cross Hospital's commitment to serving the community

Holy Cross Health, a Catholic, non-profit health system, has been committed to serving its community since its founding in 1963. It serves the two most populous counties in Maryland, Montgomery and Prince George's counties, and Washington, DC, providing healthcare to more than 160,000 individuals each year.

Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, Maryland, is one of the largest hospitals in the state, and Holy Cross Germantown Hospital is the first hospital in the nation to be located on a community college campus. The Holy Cross Health Network operates primary care practices and affordable health centers, offering a wide range of innovative, community-based health and wellness programs.

The organization's mission is to be a "compassionate and transforming healing presence within our communities." They strive to be the most trusted health partner for life, providing innovative, high-quality, and safe healthcare services to all. Holy Cross Health upholds the sacredness and dignity of every person and is dedicated to fostering right relationships for the common good, including sustainability practices. They are committed to serving those experiencing poverty and vulnerability and creating a safe and nurturing environment for all.

Holy Cross Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah, has served the community for over a century, providing high-quality healthcare to residents of the Salt Lake Valley. The hospital offers birth classes, community events, and volunteer opportunities, contributing to their mission of improving the health of those they serve. Holy Cross Hospital – Salt Lake, formerly known as Salt Lake Regional Medical Center, has been led by passionate and dedicated individuals like Bryan, the CEO/President, who joined in 2019, and Ryan McClellan, the Chief Nursing Officer.

Holy Cross Health's commitment to the community is evident in their investment of $1.3 billion in fiscal year 2024 in charity care and other community benefit programs. They aim to improve social justice and advance the health of vulnerable populations while also focusing on sustainability and accountability. Holy Cross Health's dedication to serving its community has helped it regain solid financial footing after facing consecutive years of losses.

The shift to 'critical access' status

Holy Cross Hospital's potential designation as a "critical access hospital" sparked debate in 2016. The hospital's administrators argued that the new designation could increase annual revenues by $900,000, or about 1.5 percent, without impacting services or staff. However, this proposal faced opposition from some hospital observers, employees, and union representatives, who questioned whether the move was in the best interest of patients and the hospital's long-term future.

The debate centred around several key issues. Firstly, there were concerns about the potential impact on patient treatment. As a critical access hospital, Holy Cross would have to limit patient stays to a maximum of 96 hours, and patients who couldn't be treated within this time limit might have to be transferred to another hospital. This raised worries about patients being displaced from their communities and support systems for treatment.

Secondly, the financial implications were contentious. While administrators believed the change would benefit the hospital's financial situation, critics argued that sustainability meant growing, not shrinking. They contended that the hospital had implicitly promised to maintain its acute care status while lobbying support for a mill levy expected to bring in about $5 million over four years for capital improvements.

Additionally, the potential impact on Medicare patients' payments was a concern. As a critical access hospital, Medicare patients would pay 20 percent of what Holy Cross bills, which could result in higher costs for these patients.

In response to the opposition, Holy Cross CEO Bill Patten emphasized the need for education and dialogue. In a video posted after the May board meeting, he expressed his hope for a vote towards critical access in June 2016. However, facing strong resistance, Patten later acknowledged the need to slow down and address concerns, resulting in a timeline change.

Despite the initial controversy, an update in 2020 from Holy Cross Medical Center indicated that the hospital had converted to a Critical Access Hospital three years prior. The CFO, Steve Rosenboom, shared that the conversion had benefited the hospital, allaying the community's concerns about the impact on patient care.

Holy Cross Hospital's financial situation

Holy Cross Health, a healthcare provider in Maryland and Florida, offers a Financial Assistance Program for patients who are uninsured, underinsured, or unable to pay for their care. The program provides free or discounted services to qualifying patients, demonstrating Holy Cross Health's commitment to accessible healthcare for all community members.

In 2016, Holy Cross Hospital in Taos faced financial challenges, incurring consecutive years of multimillion-dollar losses, which necessitated multiple rounds of layoffs. However, by June 2016, the hospital's financial situation had improved, reporting an operating income of $344,000 for 11 months of its fiscal year. This turnaround was attributed to difficult decisions made by administrators, including staff reductions.

At the time, Holy Cross Hospital considered transitioning to a "critical access" designation, which sparked debate among the community and staff. This change would have altered Medicare patient payments from 20% of what Medicare pays the hospital to 20% of Holy Cross's billed amount, typically a higher sum. Opponents of the switch argued that the hospital had implicitly promised to maintain its acute care status and that sustainability required growth rather than shrinking.

Holy Cross CEO Bill Patten acknowledged the concerns, emphasizing the need for thorough consideration and education before making any decisions. He expressed his belief that the critical access designation would benefit the organization but recognized the importance of addressing questions and concerns from employees and the community.

Holy Cross Health offers a range of services, including orthopedic care, cardiovascular health at the Jim Moran Heart and Vascular Center, and women's health services at the Women's Center. They also provide competitive benefits to support employees and their families. Holy Cross Health is committed to serving and being a trusted provider of healthcare for its community.

Holy Cross Hospital's safety record

Holy Cross Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, was awarded an 'A' grade for patient safety in the Fall 2020 Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade, a national distinction recognizing its achievements in protecting patients from harm and providing safer healthcare. The Leapfrog Group is an independent national watchdog organization committed to healthcare quality and safety. The Hospital Safety Grade uses up to 27 measures of publicly available hospital safety data to assign grades to more than 2,600 US acute-care hospitals twice per year. Holy Cross Hospital was recognized for its commitment to patient safety during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Holy Cross Health shares quality and safety data so that patients can make the best decisions for themselves and their families. The clinical data found on their quality report cards are updated quarterly and are consistent with the measurements used by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA). Holy Cross Hospital has been named among the top 5% of hospitals nationwide for clinical outcomes.

Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, is a 264-bed community, non-profit Catholic hospital that offers inpatient and outpatient care across medical, surgical, intensive care, emergency, primary care, and behavioral health services. The U.S. News & World Report ranks hospitals in the United States based on information from nearly 5,000 hospitals.

Patient safety is a top priority at Holy Cross Hospital. The hospital provides training and implements policies to ensure that all hospital staff clean their hands before touching a patient. Patients' perspectives on care are also important, and the hospital collects feedback on how often staff explained the purpose of any new medicine and its side effects. Effective communication about medication prevents misunderstandings that could lead to serious problems.

While complications and adverse events can occur following surgery, a procedure, or childbirth, the hospital staff at Holy Cross Hospital is well-trained to identify and manage these situations. They communicate effectively and are ready to take action with aggressive plans using patient safety guidelines.

Holy Cross Hospital's recognition and rankings

Holy Cross Health is a Catholic, not-for-profit health system that serves Montgomery County and Prince George's County, Maryland. It was founded in 1963 by the Sisters of the Holy Cross and is committed to being the most trusted provider of healthcare services in the area.

Holy Cross Health has received numerous awards and recognition for its quality and innovative healthcare services. In 2022, it received the Healthgrades America's 100 Best Hospitals Award for the second consecutive year, placing it among the top 2% of hospitals for clinical care and patient outcomes. It was also recognised as one of America's 250 Best Hospitals in 2020 for four consecutive years, one of only five hospitals in Maryland to receive this award.

Holy Cross Hospital has also been recognised for its excellence in specific areas such as gynecologic surgery, labour and delivery, and obstetrics and gynecology. In 2022, it received the Gynecologic Surgery Excellence Award, the Labor and Delivery Excellence Award for the seventh consecutive year, and the Obstetrics and Gynecology Excellence Award for the third consecutive year, all from Healthgrades.

The hospital has also received awards for its stroke care, with recognition from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association and the Joint Commission, a main accreditation organisation in the US. Additionally, Holy Cross Hospital has been ranked as a high-performing hospital by U.S. News, receiving the highest rating possible in adult procedures and conditions such as congestive heart failure, colon cancer surgery, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

Holy Cross Health's commitment to quality and innovation is further demonstrated by its investment in the latest treatments, technologies, and state-of-the-art facilities. It also offers a wide range of community-based health and wellness programs, contributing to its recognition as a leader in healthcare.

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