November 5, 2009 Meeting of Cook County Health and Hospitals System Board
During the public comment period, a nursing representative spoke regarding the issuance of 100+ layoff notices to nurses. She claimed that management had not provided a list and that there was a data problem regarding seniority. The nurses look for a process that is fair and accurate. She also challenged the patient/nurse ratio used in determining staffing.
Chairman Warren Batts, while looking at other systems, reviewed a report on Grady Hospital in Atlanta and the recent improvements achieved there over a two year period. Grady hospital is now part of a 501(c)3 Foundation that permits community investment, diminishing its dependence on County support, and staffed by the medical schools of Emory and Morehouse Universities. The Board received a complete report.
CEO William Foley reported that the Performance Improvement final report from Navigant Consulting will be ready for the next meeting in two weeks. Some consulting expertise will be required to implement it and an RFP will be channeled thru the Finance Committee for review.
The Board and management noted that the Strategic Plan needs refinements. After a huge response at the meetings of the public and employees, it was clear that proposed locations, transitions and partnerships need further examination, in conjunction with financial projections. The 3-year financial plan needs to be extended to 5 years. The goals remain intact but there must be analysis of hub-sites. Advisory groups, including patients, need to be engaged for input. The Board will be asked to approve the concepts and time lines at the next meeting.
A late addition to the agenda brought a proposal from the Director of Facilities Management for the County to consolidate CCHHS employees in trades and engineer positions with the County roster. Layoffs might be better absorbed by moving the affected employees to openings throughout the County as needed. It would mean transferring this line item in the CCHHS budget to the Corporate budget. The facilities management director said it would streamline capital planning and regulatory compliance. Board members questioned attention to diversity. The proposal was referred to the Finance and HR Committees for further discussion.
Committee reports were accepted and the Board adjourned to Executive session to hear issues regarding employees, litigation and collective bargaining.
--Submitted by Observer Nancy Staunton
