10/22/1980 Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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e Mr. Haws wanted to know if consultants are necessary. Mr. Haws said that the council can either decide to grant a temporary rate increase or could decide to not grant a rate increase. If there is a rate increase granted, they would be buying time to look at other options. Mr. Morgan stated that he could not run the company without Mr. Leonardis advice and that he has been invaluable for rescheduling salaries. He does not know enough about the business to run it alone. Mr. Morgan said that if Mr. Leonard were not there he would need to hire a consultant at a s imi 1 ar pay rate. Mr. Haws asked whether, if the rates are raised now, the company will come back in another six months for an additional rate increase. Mr. Morgan stated that probably in six months they would be going through what they are going through right now. Ms. Smith asked whether, if the rate increase were granted, any extra money would go to payoff debts from their other operations. Mr. Morgan responded affirmatively. Ms. Smith asked if the money would go to other operations with debts incurred elsewhere. Mr. Morgan responded that that would not occur and that the Amarillo business was a "paper balloon." However, there were computer costs. Mr. Delay asked for the current staff assessment of the level and quality of service. Eric Mellgren, City Manager's Office, stated that the quality of care is in question, particularly in regard to errors and inadequate training. MSI has indicated they are working on upgrading these, however. They have seven or eight people who are provisionally certified by a local physician. Each e week, MSI submits to the City a list of its personnel who worked that week as part of the monitoring process. The State Board of Medical Examiners has indicated that 7 of the 14 personnel were not State-certified. Mr. De 1 ay asked why standing orders have been withdrawn. Mr. Mellgren indicated that standing orders have been rescinded by the three major hospitals, which means the hospital must be called prior to administering any procedure. The exception is that McKenzie-Willamette will allow MSI personnel to use their judgment in cardiac emergencies, since time is of the utmost importance. Mr. Delay asked if any of the requests for treatment have been denied by the hospitals. Mr. Mellgren stated that they have been. He understands that they have been with- held until arrival at the emergency room. Mr. Delay asked if the quality of service has been lowered. Mr. Mellgren stated that it has been lowered. Ev Hall, Fire Chief, stated that in May, he was instructed to monitor MSI activities. Before May, the general opinion was that they had been doing a very good or excellent job. Since then, he has received only one report of excellent care; most reports indicated either good or fair care with a few poor reports. The quality now is considerably lower than a year ago but mainly falls within the fair category. e MINUTES--Eugene City Council October 22, 1980 Page 4