“Does this community need us?”
That’s the question the administration at Stevens Hospital posed recently. As evidence, the administration noted that only 11 percent of people within two miles “use Stevens as their primary care facility.”
Both of these comments shock me. Not only do they overlook that Stevens is a “public” hospital, but they also appear to misrepresent the role of such a hospital in our community.
First, as a “public” hospital, Stevens exists because our community committed to taxing ourselves to create and maintain just such a facility. Stevens exists because this community said we need the hospital here and we’re willing to spend tax dollars to support it.
The second comment is also concerning. Hospitals should not be primary care facilities — family practice physicians working on “Main Street” should be. Hospitals exist for emergency care, advanced surgery and other acute in-patient procedures. That few use the facility for primary care is not surprising. That this is the administration’s measure of community support is.
I support Stevens Hospital staying in Edmonds and maintaining its mandate as a community hospital. I would also support paying more in taxes if the administration could make an open, honest and clear argument for additional funds.
My support doesn’t stem from using the hospital, but rather that on any given day I might need to. For instance, my 16-month-old son ate some strange berries while joining my wife pruning this weekend. Frantic, our first call was the poison control center. Our second would have been 911.
Our son was fine, but in a crisis, knowing Stevens is available is critical.
We’re your community, Stevens — make a case for our support and we’ll continue to give it.
Instead, as I learn more about how Stevens operates, I grow increasingly concerned that this “disconnect” between the community and the administration is widening.
For instance, under this administration, minutes from the meetings of the Board of Commissioners have been removed from the Web site. Why the secrecy?
What’s worse is that our publicly elected Commissioners only hold public meetings a sum total of six hours a year! There is one monthly meeting ending at 30 minutes sharp.
How can adequate oversight of the hospital exist if our elected officials only meet 30 minutes a month? The answer that there are a number of “private” calls or other “side” meetings doesn’t assuage the problem — it makes it worse.
New CEO Mike Carter has been “dealt a bad hand” and I recognize he’s making some progress. However, in medical school, students are taught that “just because the patient is better does not mean she is well.”
Such is the case at Stevens. Leadership there should affirm its commitment to this community, develop plans around the existing campus, and make a case to the public for additional support. Toying with leaving or questioning the community’s support is not helpful.
DJ Wilson is an Edmonds City Councilmember.
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