FAQ
Pauls Valley General Hospital (PVGH) is exploring available options in the healthcare market to align the hospital with a larger OKC non-Profit Hospital organization. The following are a series of questions that typically are asked when a process such as this starts.
1. Q: Why is Pauls Valley General Hospital seeking proposals for affiliation?
A: Healthcare reform is changing the way hospitals will get reimbursed for services within the next few years and plays a big role in our decision to seek potential affiliation with an organization that will help PVGH grow its business and capabilities, as well as control costs. As the face of local and national health care continues to shift, PVGH has an opportunity to determine how it continues to deliver quality, affordable and accessible health care. With the challenges facing all rural independent hospitals, it would be irresponsible to rule out the possibility of an affiliation or partnership with another system in the future.
2. Q: How serious are the challenges that PVGH faces regarding its ability to provide high quality health care services in the future?
A: PVGH is facing exactly the same challenges faced by every hospital in America. Our challenge is even bigger, however, precisely because of our independence. Health care reform has created enormous and extremely challenging complications that will ultimately squeeze out small, independent hospitals like ours. That’s why we are taking steps to choose a partner that will help us grow our health care services for the future of our community. We have very carefully and thoughtfully written our Request for Proposals (RFP) to ensure we do everything we can to carve out a clear and responsibility future for Pauls Valley and surrounding communities.
3. Q: Would we give up local control of our hospital if we affiliate with a larger system?
A: It has been clearly expressed to all systems interested in affiliation with PVGH that local governance, board authority and strong local decision-making responsibilities are a primary objective for a new partnership. The Board of Directors is committed to preserving local autonomy while maintaining a structure of accountability within the whole system. The Board is also committed to securing a commitment from the prospective partner that existing and future donor contributions will always be utilized for health care purposes within the Pauls Valley.
4. Q: How many jobs would be affected by the new partnership with another system?
A: PVGH will work to protect, preserve, and grow jobs in Pauls Valley as it seeks a partner for affiliation. We are also seeking commitment from potential partners that they will build, not reduce local health care capabilities and patient access that are appropriate for the area. We are also seeking a provision for a system of support to improve efficiency, quality and grow medical staff.
5. Q: Why are you targeting specific partners?
A: All of the systems identified have a strong presence in or near the area and have been successful in growing their health care systems in Oklahoma. The four non-profit entities that received the RFP include the following: Integris Health System, St. Anthony Health System, Norman Regional Health System and Mercy Health System. PVGH Administration, Medical Staff, Board of Directors and Hospital Trust Authority will thoughtfully examine each system and proposal to identify the strongest synergy for a future affiliation which supports the healthcare and patient needs of Pauls Valley and surrounding communities.
6. Q: How will this prepare PVGH for the future?
A: An affiliation would help PVGH to synergize operating methods in order to control operating costs and leverage knowledge base of larger operations to more quickly and efficiently adapt to ever changing rules and regulations set forth by insurance companies, Medicare and Medicaid programs. An affiliation would also help preserve jobs in the area, assist with physician recruitment, and provide greater opportunities for expansion and enhancements to PVGH’s current range of services.
7. Q: Is PVGH facing financial difficulty which would prohibit the system from financing future growth on its own?
A: PVGH continues to struggle being an independent hospital with low census and low volumes. PVGH is in a position now to seek affiliation on our terms and with an organization that shares our mission, vision and values. If we choose to affiliate, we would do so with an organization that understands the importance of a rural community hospital and its impact on the communities we serve.
8. Q: How long will the process take to select an affiliate?
A: The RFP requests that offers for affiliation be returned by August 15th, 2011. The Board of Directors, Medical Staff and Hospital Trust Authority will be responsible for analyzing the potential partners and, as appropriate, negotiating final terms for affiliation. The process could take approximately 3-6 months.
9. Q: How will an affiliation affect patient care?
A: We are seeking an affiliation with a system that is compatible with the mission, vision and values of PVGH. This includes a commitment to quality patient care, and a continuous quality improvement program that strives for excellence. Please continue to care for our patients in the excellent manner that you have to date.
10. Q: What about PVGH medical staff?
A: It is our goal to seek affiliation with a partner who recognizes the strengths of our current medical staff and who will dedicate resources towards growth of our services. The Board of Directors are committed to preserving local autonomy and governance to the extent possible consistent with the partnership strategy.
11. Q: How do we assure ourselves that our new partner will not transfer patients to their Main Hospital in Oklahoma City or Norman that could be appropriately cared for at Pauls Valley General Hospital?”
A: All potential partner healthcare organizations are experienced in affiliation with Rural Hospitals and we will visit with appropriate people in communities where they are to validate this has not happened. Future affiliates will look to re-capture their investments into our organization by generating additional income from increased volume and health care services offered by PVGH. We will be looking for answers that in fact show evidence that services have expanded and growth has occurred.
12. Q: "Why would these organizations want to come to Pauls Valley?”
A: We know that several of these organizations have a mission to assure easy access to care throughout Oklahoma. What we have heard to date is their need to have geographical diversity to be able to compete for business as outlined in recently passed healthcare reform legislation.
Note: Pauls Valley General Hospital Board of Trustees is committed to keeping citizens informed throughout the RFP and potential partner selection process. If you do not find your question or answer with this FAQ document, please feel free to post your question at PVGH@pvgh.net.
