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January 30, 2004NMH lashes out at StupakByRecord-Eagle staff writer PETOSKEY - Northern Michigan Hospital management and supporters lashed out at a report critical of the hospital's infection control practices and the area congressman who announced its release. "I just thought it was totally unfair. Things were taken out of context," said Barbara Polinski, an NMH volunteer and former human resources employee. Hospital spokesman Thomas Spencer said people inside and outside the hospital have expressed outrage over U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak's involvement in the release of survey results by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and the state Department of Community Health. The December survey found "significant deficiencies" in infection control at NMH, and it has triggered a larger review of hospital practices. Said Dick Bouton, president of the NMH Auxiliary, the hospital's volunteer wing: "Congressmen Stupak, in my view, misused his authority and misused his influence. I think the survey is inaccurate, and he is inaccurate." The Menominee Democrat will host a town meeting Monday on the NMH survey and what happens next. The meeting will be held at North Central Michigan College. NMH officials have been invited, and Spencer said they are considering whether to participate. Spencer said Stupak released a "preliminary report" that didn't allow the hospital to take action to correct identified concerns. Walt Wheeler, director of the state Bureau of Health Systems, disputed that the report on NMH's infection control practices was preliminary. The hospital will be asked to address all cited deficiencies after a full review, he said. Spencer said hospital officials have no interest in getting into a spat with Stupak. "But we do have an interest in protecting the reputation of this hospital and the health care providers in this community," he said. "The caregivers here have been insulted and outraged." In its daily briefing, hospital management encouraged staff, volunteers or community members to call, write, e-mail or fax Stupak's office in protest. Stupak, however, said he had only received correspondence on the NMH survey from 33 people, and those were "pretty much split right down the middle." "My concern is the health care," Stupak said. "They are not focusing on health care at all, but rather shooting the messenger." Stupak said the hospital management's portrayal of him as pushing a pro-union agenda and improperly interfering in a more than 14-month nurses strike at NMH was inaccurate. "I've not taken a position on the issues in the strike; I've taken a position we should end the strike," he said. Though he requested a review of NMH's post-strike health care, Stupak said the federal and state survey was already in the works because of concerns raised by the public. Stupak said the survey's findings indicate problems with traveling nurses unfamiliar with the hospital and its procedures. Spencer, however, said none of the issues raised in the survey involved care by traveling nurses. Spencer said healthcare quality remains high at NMH despite the strike. He cited patient letters, e-mails and satisfaction surveys and the hospitals highest-ever rating last fall from the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. Striking nurse Julia Hulderman said hospital management is aiming its ire at Stupak as a diversionary tactic. "They're playing the usual game - 'Let's hide behind something else,' " she said. "Get the community outraged at Bart Stupak, instead of being outraged at their own problems."
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