Monday, May 24, 2010

UTMB business in black as hundreds of health workers laid off at state prisons

I'm not sure what to think about the news that UTMB is financially in the black for the first time in years because of state and federal cash infusions following Hurricane Ike. I particularly wonder how that squares with hundreds of recent layoffs in their correctional managed care division? Those two bits of news seem incongruent.

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

One word....... Typical.. It tells me that UTMB wants to get out of correctional managed care all together. I am sure more RIFs of UTMB CMC employees will happen soon.

Anonymous said...

Its overdue. They have ripped-off the state for years, with little contribution to the cause. They are example of the federal system that hands out money/services without any accounting to the public. Way overdue. Cut these spendthrifts that give out workers money to the lazy and incompetent that are too lazy to work and are used to the welfare system like Lousiana- 'you owe us'. for nothing. Look at the other states with famine and tragedy - they stood up and cared for themselves rather than cry for more gov't handouts. Tired of the bailouts and welfare. Learn some responsibility. GET A JOB!

texaspoor said...

This is the first time for me to post a comment, but the post by anonymous forced me to react.Where is your compasion?You are mad @ who? Its fine to have concerns, but where are your solutions? Everyone is lazy no one is responsible for there actions,GET A JOB. What about you do you have a JOB yourself.Gee whiz chill out, its not the end of the world..

Anonymous said...

It is strange that this agency makes money while making poor staffing decisions and abusing TYC youth with telepsychiatry.

Anonymous said...

9:42 p.m. -Not strange..... This is how UTMB operates. The only thing they are concerned with is keeping all of their senior leaders and their doubld dippers. They preach servant leadership all the while doing everything they can to save their own jobs.... what a joke! They do not care about their frontline staff. Some of the senior leaders have never even set foot on a TDCJ unit. Tell me , how they can know what is going on if they won't even go on units?

Anonymous said...

So many of these people do not know what they are doing, even with alleged credentials, that the state is better off without their help. Good riddence. How many in custody of the state has been abused and killed by malpractice/ignorance?

Anonymous said...

11:42 - All of the nurses have credentials.... they would not be allowed to work if they did not.

Anonymous said...

It takes 400 HR staff to take care of 120 dental staff with UTMB. BIG government's break...that's what UTMB is experiencing...it was'nt IKE, it was too many "Higher-UPS" getting too many bonus checks.
Think about Teledentistry, which UTMB calls "Innovative". Pt. sets in front of a camera, and a Dentist sees him on a T.V. The pt. says "my Tooth hurts". you can't see the tooth, or what is really going on, but you say, " We'll get you some Motrin, and someone will be on your unit to take an x-ray. The problem is now P4 trt. which gives 180 dys. for the Dentist to get on the unit, and maybe trt. the problem. Chances are about 30%that the pt. has chained out to another unit by the time a D.D.S. goe's to the unit...Now that is TRUE Ingenuity at it's best. COPAY applies. Let's hope Obama care does'nt get any notions.

Anonymous said...

PART I Please take time to read the notes sent to the staff at UTMB CMC after an administrative meeting concerning new policies within the correctional managed care
structure.

Also, pay attention to the editorial reality as perceived from interested parties in CAPS.
More people are hurting now than ever before and the top heavy ship is going to capsize rapidly.

The following information was received on May 26, 2010 at the District Practice Manager’s meeting in Stafford, Texas: AT WHICH THEY PAID THE SR LEADERS TRAVEL AND MEALS TO MEET AT THEIR POSH BUILDING SITE IN STAFFORD TEXAS WHILE THE PEOPLE THEY SPOKE OF TOILED AWAY IN AUSTERE CONDITIONS WITH UNCERTAINTY OF FUTURE EMPLOYMENT AND GUIDANCE/POLICY.



Provider Hours:



Between now and July 15th all provider hours need to be adjusted to work 5, 8-hour days. There will no longer be 4, 10-hour days. With the new nursing model being developed, providers are expected to be on site the entire 40 hours per week. PROVIDERS, MEANING DOCTORS, PA'S, NP'S ARE EXEMPT EMPLOYEES AND PER UTMB POLICY, THEY ARE PAID SALARY, NOT HOURLY; ARE NOT COMPENSATED FOR ON CALL TIME MONETARILY OR DUTY TIME, RECEIVE ZERO COMP TIME OR OVERTIME IF THEY HAVE TO REPORT TO A UNIT FOR WORK WHILE ON CALL, THEY ARE EXPECTED TO PUT IN THEIR HOURS, NO QUESTIONS ASKED, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE MONITORED.



Nursing:



HR is in the process of posting 58 LVN positions. The nursing leadership is working on staffing models for use in outpatient clinics.
BOOSTING UP THE LVNS TO RUN THE SHOW AND PREPARING TO RUN A NURSING BASED CLINIC, VOID OF ON SITE RNS, RELYING ON VIDEO BASED RN SUPPORT AND PROVIDERS. MOST LVNS WILL ASSUME CMA ROLES IN THEIR STEAD. GROSS MISMANAGEMENT OF RESOURCES, AND A TRUE THREAT TO THE RNS AS THEY ARE NOT AVAILABLE TO SUPERVISE. WONDER WHAT THE NURSING BOARD THINKS ABOUT THIS? SOME NURSE LEADER NAMED MARY SOMETHING WAS MOVED TO CREATE A NEW NURSING TRAINING MODEL FOR THIS PURPOSE. ALLEGEDLY OPENING A POSITION FOR A FORMER ASSISTANT NURSE LEADER TO SAVE HIS NEW HOME AND WIFE'S BRAND NEW CAR PAYMENT. ALLEGEDLY.



CONTD

Anonymous said...

PART 2
Hiring Process:



If RIF’d employees apply for and meet the minimum qualifications for future job openings, all must be interviewed regardless of the number applying. Critical need positions can still be requested.

CODE FOR "THIS WAY WE CAN HIRE BACK THOSE WE WANT BECAUSE WE CUT THOSE WHO WE DIDNT WANT THAT HAPPENED TO BE IN THOSE DISCIPLINES. WE CUT EVERYONE PER JOB CLASSIFICATION TO MINIMIZE THE POTENTIAL FOR RETRIBUTION AND SUBSEQUENT DISCRIMINATORY LAWSUITS." THIS IS ABOMINABLE AT BEST.

FAQ’s:



The frequently asked questions information on the web is being updated daily. Those having questions regarding the RIF should review the web.



Dental:



With the shortage of dental staff; those required to travel to other facilities to perform dental services will be granted travel time and travel reimbursement.
THANKS FOR NOTHING, WE WILL BE OVER WORKED, UNDERPAID, AND GEE...WE GET TRAVEL $$ OH BOY. THANKS FOR GUTTING US IN DENTAL. MOST APPRECIATED.



Work Study:



The work study program has been suspended, with the exception of those currently enrolled. There will not be any new applications accepted until further notice.
CODE FOR: YOU ARE SCREWED. TOO BAD, SO SAD. IF YOU MAKE RN BASED ON THIS YOU ARE RIF'D ANYWAY SO GO FOR IT.



Pharmacy Reclamation Project:



The recent pharmacy reclamation project resulted in the return of $400, 000 in medication costs. The pharmacy staff will begin auditing the 10 largest units of pharmacy costs, to increase the reclamation dollars.
CODE FOR: WE ARE TAKING THE OFFENDER MEDICINE AWAY. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR DISEASE PROCESSES.

Anonymous said...

PART III
Facility Report Card:



Effective immediately, the only area of the Facility Report Card that requires inputting of information is the Access to Care Section.
BECAUSE WE WILL ONLY CONCENTRATE ON ACCESS TO CARE FOR SICK CALL REQUESTS AND SCREW CHRONIC CARE ISSUES. TOO BAD. GET YOUR DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, THYROID DISEASE, HIV, HEPATITIS C, ASTHMA, CARDIAC HEART FAILURE, HIGH CHOLESTEROL, AND OTHER CHRONIC ISSUES ON YOUR OWN DIME WHEN YOU GET OUT OF JAIL. GOOD LUCK WITH THAT. SOAK THE TAXPAYERS MORE EVEN AFTER YOU GET OUT OF JAIL, FOR WHICH WE PAID FOR TO SUPPLY YOUR FOOD CLOTHES AND SHELTER.



CME:



Starting next fiscal year (September 2010) UTMB CMC will no longer fund continuing medical education. Providers may request and be given duty time only to attend CME’s. Those that have requested and been granted approval to attend CME now through August 31 will be allowed to attend and seek reimbursement.
DEAR DOCTORS, NURSE PRACTITIONERS AND PAS. WE DONT CARE ABOUT YOU, SO LEAVE SO WE CAN SAVE MONEY FROM HIRING YOU OR KEEPING YOU IN THE SYSTEM. THAT WAY, YOU GET NO UNEMPLOYMENT AND LETS FACE IT. IF YOU ARE TAKING CARE OF COLDS AND ACUTE ILLNESS, WHO CARES IF THEY ARE REALLY SICK WITH REAL ILLNESSES. WHO NEEDS CME? YOUR LICENSE IS ON YOU. OUR NUMBERS ARE ON US. PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK, BUT SCREW YOU.



Reduction in Force



At the present time there are no plans to institute another reduction in force.
CODE FOR BOHICA; BEND OVER, HERE IT COMES AGAIN! WHEN THEY SAY IT IS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN, IT MEANS IT WILL. REFERENCE 4 WEEKS AGO WITH THE EMPTY TOWN HALL PROMISES OF NO RIF, AND VOILA! PROVIDERS, YOU ARE NEXT!!!!



Cactus:



The credentialing program has officially been implemented and is being monitored and managed by the Cactus Team in Galveston. It is the responsibility of each employee to ensure their credentials are up to date and provided to the credential office. There is no longer a requirement to maintain employee credentials on the unit. For accreditation purposes and audits, each Practice Manager will have the ability to print a list of all employees with credentials and to print a copy of each credential if requested.
A LONG LIST OF BS THAT TRIES TO MAE YOU FORGET ABOUT THE SALIENT ISSUES YOU JUST READ UP ABOVE. WELL PLAYED CMC, WELL PLAYED.


I hope you find this information useful and if you have any questions, please call.
CODE FOR: WE DONT CARE!!!!

I hope you find this as amusing as I did. PATHETIC!

Anonymous said...

YES - it makes so much sense to have district leaders travel to Stafford from all over the state. I guess they are too good to just have a conference call ? What the heck , they just laid off 363 employees. I guess Mr. Smock can now have his staff running around the state again.

The latest will surely drive staff that was left away. I am sure another RIF will happen soon. It will be interesting to see who all it will be this time.

Anonymous said...

I am sure the nursing board will be interested to hear how they are going to elimnate the RNs and just use LVNs. Is this not why , just a year ago, we ramped up RNs ? We got our hand slapped by the Nursing Board for LVNs practicing outside their scope ?

Anonymous said...

Just goes to show the poor mis-management of UTMB with all the RIF's. But Damn it Janet lets not forget the beginning when all the dog and ponies were held at international continental hotels and Galveston to pump up the revenue and tourista payola. But wait, was there anything that we really "got" out of those meetings other than to learn how to tap dance and "schmooze"? Really it was to "get the chance to get off the units" and meet with others of our own kind. Bla, bla, bla. Twice a year was way too much to "schmooze". Once a year would have been ok at best if they would have offered more up close and personal meets and greet with upper management to really "listen to our woes" and then do something about them...unit level, I say...what about the REAL PEOPLE who work on the units and their input.And what about some CME's for ALL at those meetings? NADA...
Oh, and don't forget the tens of thousands of dollars spent on "surveys". Survey this and survey that and what do you come up with???? Another "survey" to survey the "SURVEY"? *&^%.
Lets not forget the "travel" monies spent to all the Big Guys and the traveling circus shows. I really liked the last one where they LIED and said..."Oh no, you will keep your jobs fellas, just "NO MERIT PEANUT BUTTER ON THAT SANDWICH" Good Lord....Where do you stop and say to yourself..."I have been preaching "Servant Leadership" but I really don't know what that means. Oh and lets make sure that we practice it on the units with the bad employees we are forced to keep for either political/good ol'e boys' syndrome/reasons OR keeping of BAD managers that have to have ACA clean up crews. I thought the "Managers were hired to make sure that the ACA data was current and up-to-date"????
And recognition of the goodun's???Well, Gem card this....Now we get left holding the big chorizo with the string dangling at the end. Thanks for nothing UTMB...Back in Black????.....It's more like "Dirty Deeds"...

Anonymous said...

Back in black
I hit the sack
I've been too long I'm glad to be back
Yes I'm, let loose
From the noose
That's kept me hanging about
I keep looking at the sky
'Cause it's gettin' me high
Forget the hearse 'cause I'll never die
I got nine lives
Cat's eyes
Usin' every one of them and running wild

Anonymous said...

Thanks for nothing UTMB...Back in Black????.....It's more like "Dirty Deeds"... Nice reference 3:38

I do feel somewhat sorry for the people who still have their jobs, but at the same time, they still have their jobs.

You are right on the money about the dog and pony shows that took place....It was a great time for Senior Leaders to "duck" out during the training part of the day. Running out looking at their blackberries, like they were too important to sit in the room with all of us grunts.

I am sure several jobs could be saved if they would not spend the money on travel....

Anonymous said...

There does seem to be no change in upper levels while cutting frontline care and supervisory staff.
Somebody must pay for the care that CMC is expected to give. The legislature does not seem to care or other voices have not been strong enough. UTMB has stated their position. The correction may be too much too fast.
UTMB has done a good job of treating patients. It will be harder with less dentists, RN, and less direct care supervisors.

Anonymous said...

I for one would like to see the criteria that was used to RIF employees. I have heard several different versions.....but would like to see a report. Is that something grits for breakfast can obtain a copy of ?

I find it interesting that just a month before announcing a RIF, certain AA positions were reclassified. Does anyone else find that odd ? One of those positions was Steve Smock's AA.

Anonymous said...

Criteria was not personal, it was by job classification, Dental personnel not withstanding. I would like to see how they chose to cut US out in the dental departments. Less likely to have law suits which hold water, because it is not personal for RNs, AAs, CMAs. None left behind...unless their jobs were reclassified, i.e., Smocks secretary.

Anonymous said...

Criteria was not personal? Are you serious? As a person who received a RIF letter, I take it very personal and I believe the criteria used was PERSONAL. If it weren't then why do we still have so many senior leaders and double dippers?

Anonymous said...

@Grits-Do you have an email address? I cannot find one on here but I have something I want to send you as you made UTMB news today:)

Gritsforbreakfast said...

It's shenson@austin.rr.com

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