Experiences at Savannas Hospital

Prior to one of the hurricanes that hit S. Florida in 2004, we decided that we should evacuate to a safer location further inland. We evacuated 22 patients to a makeshift hospital for two and a half days as the storm stalled just prior to making landfall. We lost all power and water functions at that facility but had no incidents or injuries....

There were numerous challenges at the hospital so when I began as Executive Director I observed all day to day activities closely and met with all department heads daily. It was clear that fiscal goals were not being met and the nursing overtime was seriously over budget. After spending time with the Director of Nursing and the Director of HR, I sent the Director of Nursing for specific training in staffing. When the problems in that dept. continued and after personal observation, it was clear that the Director of Nursing was did not have the appropriate skills for that job although she was an excellent nurse. I had to offer her a demotion or terminate her employment....

There had been a sentinel event at the hospital a couple of years prior to my arrival there. The hospital's leadership suffered tremendously as the former executive director and interim executive director both managed autocratically. There was no team approach to problem solving; managment was fragmented; patient census was lower than projected therefore fiscal goals were not met; staff morale was low....