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Diana Parker/News-Herald Photo Lynn Mergen, who recently took over as chief executive officer of Havasu Regional Medical Center, poses in the hospital’s ground floor reception area.

Mergen: Give hospital another chance

By Diana Parker
Saturday, October 11, 2008 7:30 PM MST

For the time being, Lynn Mergen, the new chief executive officer of Havasu Regional Medical Center, should have a lot of time to devote to his job.

When Mergen, 40, relocated from Bradenton, Fla., a little over six weeks ago, his wife and family stayed behind to allow their 10-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son to finish out the semester in school.

Mergen comes to HRMC with 15 years of administrative experience in hospitals, most recently as CEO of Lakewood Ranch Medical Center in Bradenton. He earned a Master of Health Administration at the University of Missouri in 1993.

Mergen sat down with Today's News-Herald last week for a question-and-answer session. Here's some of what he had to say:

Today's News-Herald: How does your last hospital compare to Havasu Regional Medical Center?

Mergen: Size-wise, it's about the same. (Lakewood Ranch Medical Center) was a startup hospital, so this hospital has more services — open-heart surgery, radiation therapy, interventional cardiology. We didn't have all of that. We had more of what I would call the bread-and-butter services.

My hospital before that (Centennial Medial Center) was in Dallas, and that was full-service. We had everything that this hospital has.

TNH: What do you see as the greatest challenges for a hospital like this one?

Mergen: One of the things I want to focus on is improving the experience for the patient and improving the experience for the employees.

When you have employees who are really excited about being here and understand what's going on and where we're going, I think that permeates and I think the patients see that. There's just that positive energy.

With the patient experience, a lot of patients come (in) through the ER. We have relatively long waits at this point. We need to get that down — and we have. Over the last three months, with the new ED group, we've seen a pretty drastic decrease in the length of stay in the ER, which is great. But we need to continue to get that down even further.

You know, in the past there have been a lot of ownership changes — who owns the hospital — and some people may not have had as good an experience with the hospital.

And so I just want to try and get them to give us another chance, and I think they'll be pretty — actually very satisfied at how good a hospital this really is. The physicians are good. The employees are good. This is a good hospital.

TNH: Were some local residents' negative perceptions of the hospital something you were aware of when you came here?

Mergen: Yes. They were pretty forthright in telling me what to expect. And that's fine. There are always challenges at any hospital. Always. There are always challenges no matter where you go.

TNH: You've talked about the quality of the doctors and staff. What are the other real strengths you see at this hospital?

Mergen: You know, (the hospital's owner) LifePoint has put a lot of capital dollars into this facility. We've got a new CT (scanner) and we're putting in a new linear accelerator. This company is very aware of what the needs are of this hospital and they have been, in my opinion, very supportive

Now, this is a new company for me. I've worked for other groups before this, but from what I can see and what I've seen so far, they're very supportive and want to be supportive not only of the hospital but of the community.

TNH: We've heard complaints recently about a shortage of anesthesiologists at the hospital that's delaying patients' surgeries.

Mergen: I don't think we have a shortage of anesthesiologists. There're just some internal things we have to work out between the surgeons and the anesthesiologists but I don't see that as a concern going forward.

TNH: How about other staff? Are staffing levels where they should be?

Mergen: From what I've seen, yes.

TNH: You've talked about your immediate goals. What are some or your long-term goals?

Mergen: Looking at the community, I think we have an opportunity to really be an orthopedic center of excellence. We have some very very good (orthopedists) on staff, and given the makeup of our population ... We've got a fairly large population of 55 and up.

Well, when you have that large of (an older) demographic, people are going to fall. And those who are active are going to, you know, hurt their knees. I think there are some opportunities to make this a center of excellence that people from outlying areas will want to come to.

I also think this can be a referral center for the area hospitals — Parker, Kingman, Bullhead City — instead of going to Phoenix, going to Vegas, wherever it might be. I think over time we can bring the services here (so patients) can come right here, and it's much closer.

We've got two helicopters sitting on a pad at all times. It's pretty easy to go pick somebody up and bring them back.

TNH: What are your plans for letting the community get to know you?

Mergen: I got invited to a Rotary function the other day. I'm happy to go speak to any organization that asks. If they want me to come, I'll come and talk on whatever they want me to. I'm happy to go out and I want to get involved with different organizations, and I want to see my administrative team do the same thing.

We are the only hospital, and we're one of the larger employers. We need to get involved as much as we can in the community.

You may contact the reporter at dparker@havasunews.com.

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Reader Comments

concerned wrote on Oct 22, 2008 5:58 AM:

" the hospital is always busy because its the only horse and pony show in town , which is a shame . other than when the snowbirds are here , most of the patrons (approx 70%) are on arizona access or dont have any insurance at all . do yourself a favor and try not to defend this greedy establishment as you will only make a fool of yourself . remember lifepoint bought out the doctors that were trying to build another hospital and gave them stock in this dump . and shame on them as well . "

again wrote on Oct 21, 2008 7:14 AM:

" Once again, the hospital doesn't own the helicopters, they get nothing from them. Also if the hospital is that bad why is it always so busy? "

I cant afford you wrote on Oct 19, 2008 7:26 PM:

" To my reply posters, what I was attempting to post was the fees that are being charged here are insane, gowns, bandages, supplies, IV's changed prior to being used up, chopper ride to vegas (please, a Jet Ranger Heli goes for about $1200.00+ p/hr if I add the crew lets say 1200.00x 3 more and add a cushion its not near $25-30K to Vegas, I can no longer afford insurance as again cost of living here has gotten very high, taxes, electric, water, gas etc etc Employers here dont want to pay/offer health insurance!
As for the collections dept, yep saw that a few years ago, had scan done and told them I had street shorts on
under my gown, they shot anyway x 3 times, then said need to take more we see a zipper!? No kidding! I got charged for all 6! I refused to pay for 3 ( HRMC error not mine!)2 weeks later collections, my nurse wife got the x-rays to confirm and still no help! Collections TRASHED my credit over $300.00! I ended up paying as is was a no win, credit should be cleared in a few years, this over $300.00 of HRMC error! Lucky I have not needed the hospital since, I also would never go to ER unless the last resort if that day happens,
I agree the hospital needs to make money, but dont be like the oil companies and screw us over because you have us where you want us! "

you had several chances wrote on Oct 19, 2008 6:01 AM:

" how many people who work for a large company have to spend their moeny with them?? WELL the employees at HRMC have to have their surgerys procedures done their or the insurance DOES not pay??? big deal huh well you work in lab resps xray then all of a sudden your hemmorroids act up and your in your own little hospital with all your co workers looking at you while your a--- is upside down under a spot light while all your privates hanging out for all your co workers to see. Ill bet mergen wouldnt even be caught their in this position !! picture this!!! "

u r nits wrote on Oct 19, 2008 5:56 AM:

" to "the respond to I cant afford you" are you one of those case mgrs or social workers with useless review??? you know the 'nurses" who never touch a patient, who walk around doing paper work and pencil pushers, WELL they all wrote a letter against union, then THEY did not get a raise becsue they dotn work the bedside. one fired, rest left after being insulter, oh well dumb enough to shoot themselves in the foot, so miss 'i cant afford you responder you might think about it before it happens to you!!! no matter how much you suck up your job is ALWAYS on the line. As far as if you have insurance thats all you pay ---why dont you ask in uninsured ??"Bring $500 with you or dont come!!" that is the call theylll get it may be $1000 now. if you have your onw insurance you have deductible which will ruin your credit and put you in collections within 30 days so do your history!!! Bill collectors run the outfit "

non profit hospital wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:33 PM:

" That is the good thing about the non profit hospitals, most of them offers their own affordable healtcare insurance and they have money available to treat the poor for free. What do you or the community gets from Hrmc for free? Treatening phonecalls 24hrs a day treatening you to pay their bill or they foreclose on your house! "

To I cant afford you wrote on Oct 18, 2008 9:54 AM:

" I can feel your anger and understand your frustration. But is it the hospital's fault that you have no insurance? Have they turned you away because you could not pay? Are you working yourself up over something that has not yet happened? Alot of the complaints here are registered on pure hearsay and conjecture. People who have good experiences take it as a matter of routine so rarely find it necessary to share their opinions. People who have been wronged, and I do not deny that there have been many unspeakable situations at HRMC, tend to shout from the rooftops at every opportunity to bash every single incident that happened to themselves and others. But to ruminate over the what-if's and fear only the worst unknowns...well, that's counter productive and just plain unhealthy. I don't mean to minimize your financial troubles as I, too, have been unemployed and struggled with no insurance. Out of all the fears you outlined, I scraped together enough for basic coverage--and that alone sent me over the edge. So quit worrying. Nothing you have to have done at the hospital will cost as much as the insurance premiums. Take care of yourself, live healthy, set aside half what you'd pay for insurance, then self-pay if you need to go to the E.R. for a true emergency. And familiarize yourself with the Urgent Care clinics for everything else. One year of saved premiums will more than cover a typical hospital visit...and several clinic visits with change left over. No, it is not the hospital's fault you fell on hard times. Nor can they stay open if they treat everyone for free. Sometimes we just have to assume responsibility for our own misfortune, quit expecting someone ELSE to resolve our issues. Just because you have no insurance does not mean you will be denied access to care. It IS available, just perhaps not administered in the manner to which you have grown accustomed nor, indeed, on-demand and for free. Hospitals are a business, patients are customers, nurses are employees, doctors are clients. If they can't turn a profit, they cease to exist. As with any business, if you cannot afford their product you shop elsewhere. And if you cannot pay cash, you put it on credit. Businesses only turn away customers who REFUSE, once stabilized, to pay ANYTHING! "

to cant afford you wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:33 AM:

" Mr. Merger has an excellent collection department which will go after you and take you house, car and whatever you have left. "

MB wrote on Oct 18, 2008 7:03 AM:

" Most of us have given your hospital a second chance. No Thanks the drive to Kingman is worth the time!! "

I Cant Afford You wrote on Oct 17, 2008 8:44 PM:

" Mr Mergen
I now have no insurance, & cant afford it (I work in Havasu, I own here, everything here has doubled but my wages) No money left for Insurance. My ex wife was a nurse here, she moved back to where she could make big $$$.
(we had insurance prior)
I make too much for free state aid and am caught!

What is your "great hospital" going to do for me! I cant afford to come in even if I have to!!!

Two choppers on the pad, Great A 30k for a one way ride in one to ship patients to Vegas that you cant treat here.

Roco said it right, I have seen the clean up your own mess when she was in your hospital some years ago, Out patient tryed to send her home when bleeding out her nose! I suctioned her nose while nurses checked watches for shift change? And Dr's walked by! Only after I yelled at one did they realize they needed to admit her?? I got my medical experience from watching ER on TV and I did a better job! But we got a hellish bill anyway! WHY! At my work we screw up we pay to redo, in your field you screw up we pay again!

Again I ask you Mr Mergan what are you going to do for us with no insurance and cant pay if we need you? Hype all you want and Oh by the way welcome to AZ but make our wages and lose your insurance and wear our shoes now! and see how you hype the HRMC "

to parent wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:57 PM:

" Yes...the first week of the second quarter has just ended. That means 11 weeks aince school started, with the week of fall break. Um...are you a parent of a student HERE? "

not enough cheese wrote on Oct 17, 2008 7:55 PM:

" You are so sure I am a hospital employee...you could not be further from the truth. But I know your small mind won't let you believe me. That's fine. You believe what you want...and continue being negative and miserable. You, and everyone like you, are so not worth the effort. "

They know they are guilty wrote on Oct 17, 2008 6:13 PM:

" If you think you are overcharged and poorly treated, just send a letter to the Chief Nursing Officer and she will drop your charges and orders the CFO to give you a full refund less than a week! I'm sorry, I can not attach her apologizing letterand the refund check. "

parent wrote on Oct 17, 2008 3:28 PM:

" Had the school semester even started "over six weeks ago"? Or wasn't he sure they'd be staying? Whatever, why don't a few of the nay-sayers on this site call Corporate Compliance? If your complaints are valid, voice them to someone who will relay your concerns to someone who can DO something. The call is free and, supposedly, anonymous. "

curious wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:28 PM:

" Do hospital administrators get moved around so much because they are successful...or because they've failed? "

havasuvian for life wrote on Oct 17, 2008 1:20 PM:

" We can moan and groan until H--l freezes over. Doesn't matter. Not-for-profits get snapped up for a song because they just can't make it on what Medicare reimburses. The for-profits and HMO's can charge what the market will bear...and then some. Thus they have enough in their back pocket to keep out the competition, or potential competition, with a good cushion to sustain any litigation arising out of malpractice, negligence, short staffing, or rationing of care. I've been around for long enough to see Havasu Regional go nowhere but DOWN. It saddens me to watch the decline in what was once a respected and vital server of community needs. I'm not sure the problem is fixable. "

Roco wrote on Oct 17, 2008 10:02 AM:

" To not enough cheese: You may be one of the luckier ones. I have worked in the healthcare field and my spouse is a healthcare professional (md). My one and only horrific experience with HRMC left her totally dumbfounded. How can a patient be left in a er room for hours, given a few supplys and told to clean your own wounds? No nurse or physician to be seen. Isn't it malpractice for someone not affliiated with the hospital to give patient care to a person? My spouse treated my wounds, not a HRMC employee and, then, had the balls to bill me for not treating me. Money is the bottom line here. I am not sure if non-profit aspect is what needed, but I know for sure hospital management needs to to be revamped immediately. When you are the only one in the entire er, you should not be waiting for hours. After several hours of waiting in a room, a new er patient SHOULD NOT be seen by the er physician before you. There is no excused for this. "

to not enough cheese wrote on Oct 16, 2008 6:57 PM:

" this was a paid political announcement by the hospital. I like that the employees trying to defend the hospital and they are getting fired anyway... "

Not enough cheese wrote on Oct 16, 2008 3:42 PM:

" I applaud the few individuals who, like me, are tired of all the negativity and complaining. There is not enough cheese in all of Wisconsin for all the "whine" going on here. As a 25+ year resident, with a family, I have had many experiences, inpatient and outpatient, with the hospital in its various incarnations over the years. I can only think of one small incident that occurred during one inpatient surgery, that was bad. I have always been impressed with the level of care and service that I have received, or that my family members have received.

Do all you whiners really think things are so much better somewhere else? If so, let me help you pack. The hospital staff here are dedicated, hard working, and do an awesome job in difficult circumstances. Is there room for improvement in some areas? Absolutely. But some of you make it sound like this is the clinic from "Doc Hollywood" or something.

And if the wait at the ER is too long...perhaps it is because of people going to the ER with bad colds. "NewTwoHavasu", I have 2 words for you: Midwest Express "

Yeap wrote on Oct 16, 2008 11:24 AM:

" No more long lines at the ER, the hospital is almost empty. You can cheat on people only once! They want to fly people in from Parker and Kingman!?!? hahahahaha People will jump off the helicopter! "

another pack of lies wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:26 AM:

" what happened to the new roolms they opened "so that the ER wait times will be reduced" another bunch of bs more rooms to be done before the snobirds get here means more money, and bigger write offs.
they also saw dollar signs going to lv phx when they flew people needing open hearts so they figured they'd take a crack at er again. Wheres the last open heart DR?????? "

no pity wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:23 AM:

" for this new ceo , he makes a good buck for being a high paid liar and he knows that he does it or move back to fla. who said anything about change?? he didnt---- he said the staffing is adequate so he doesnt plan to change a thing "

go after them wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:20 AM:

" contact the state health care licensing department for complaints.

they are suppose to check out all complaints you do not have to give your anme as some people fear retaliation if they do.
then send email or letter phone call the joint heathcare accreditation , they are suppose to be making surprise visits, then report the nurses once they find out their livelively hood might be affected they might wake up and be a PATIENT ADVOCATE their job!!! instead of a money maker for lifepoint!!!! "

gw wrote on Oct 16, 2008 10:10 AM:

" Why doesn't Mr. Mergen investigate the # of people who ended up with Staph infections at this dirty pathetic place they call a hospital....the worst place my family has ever been in. "

tough time wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:42 AM:

" THe problem is that the hospital has, over the years, alienated so many people - patients, medical staff, and other staff - that it will be a huge effort to "get them back." I don't envy his job. Change is very difficult. Regaining trust is very difficult. Convincing staff that there will be adequate staffing will be difficult. No one wants these conditions, and there are other places that pts, doctors, and hospital staff can go. "

lab tech wrote on Oct 15, 2008 12:03 PM:

" I agree the hospital needs to be not for profit. It is sad that any health care facility will turn away patients. It shows a lack of morals and integrity on the hospital's part. My mom had a horrible experience with a cardiologist at HRMC. He told her there was nothing he could do and never bothered to obtain her old records. Had he done that he would have seen that the blockage he was looking at had not changed for four years. Maybe someone should go into HRMC, clean house and start over.
Just keep in mind" first do no harm" when you turn away patients. "

NOT gonna happen wrote on Oct 14, 2008 12:50 PM:

" Just because you come by ambulance does NOT mean you will be seen faster. It's called triage, and guess what, they can put you in the waiting room if you are stable and ABUSING the system. BUT you will have a hefty ambulance bill and your insurance company might just not pay for it because it wasn't justified! Imagine that!! Maybe people will start learning to call 911 when it's a true emergency.

SIck of ER abusers. "

suem wrote on Oct 14, 2008 11:34 AM:

" Start sueing for malfeasence, inept staffing, excessive billing/service fees and anything else. There will always be some hungry attorney. "

TO GreedyMomentsER wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:55 AM:

" Contact your insurance company for possible fraud investigation. Happens more than we know. I actually turned in my doc to Blue Cross--she had to pay UP and reimburse the overcharge. It also opens the provider up for auditing of ALL the charts....fun times! "

be patient wrote on Oct 14, 2008 9:39 AM:

" hey greedy, don't you have anything better to do at 3:34am. also the hospital dosen't own the helicopters. "

Been there too often wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:26 AM:

" I really cannot believe there are a "handfull" of posts supporting the hospital. Unfortunately my wife had some serious health problems last year and ended up in the ER several times.I found that response time by a Dr.(?) was better if you arrived via ambulance. On one occasion she arrived just prior to shift change & the attending Dr. (a real Doctor) wanted to admit her because of her poor condition. Then the shift changed, & the next Dr.(?)said she was not serious enough to be admitted & was sent home. Two days later she was airlifted to Phoenix. Those "two helicopters on the pad" cost $25,000 plus per ride. Does some of that get "kicked back" as a CEO bonus??? I love Havasu & intend to stay here, but unless it is an unavoidable emergency, we will seek hospitalization elsewhere. "

Short Staffed wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Staffing on a past Sunday reflected one (1) physician. ER was full, the staff was courteous but the wait was long. HRMC was rapid on billing (within 3 days). With contract doctors, staffing, your insurance may not be accepted by all and your out of pocket expense high. This system sucks! Go to KRMC, or Parker. "

GreedyMomentsER wrote on Oct 14, 2008 3:34 AM:

" I went to the ER, waited for 3 hours in one of the rooms. Eventually, I pulled the tubes out and went home. Got a bill for room I was never in. Called to ask about it, their reply was
" we bill you because we CAN bill you, even though you never received the services you were billed for" "

worthless wrote on Oct 13, 2008 7:17 PM:

" why doesn't the state investigate HRMC, we deserve a better hospital "

Say What wrote on Oct 13, 2008 5:56 PM:

" Diana don't let him fool you. Ask him why they are hiring day to day anesthesiologists. Why are they forcing others to be off? What happened to Dr Aires and why doesn't he come back "

honest change wrote on Oct 13, 2008 9:58 AM:

" the newspaper titled it give us a second change I beleive the hrmc does not beleive servce was ever bad, denial.
ask the employees who have left.
if they dare mention what 's really going on theyll be fired. many were let go and no remorse from mgt "

TIRED OF THE BASHING wrote on Oct 13, 2008 12:28 AM:

" HOW PATHETIC FOR ALL OF YOU TO HAVE NOTHING BETTER DO TO ON YOUR SUNDAY. I BET WHEN YOU HAVE YOUR "CHEST PAIN" YOU'LL BE RUNNING RIGHT IN THE ER & WANTING HELP, NO MATTER WHAT! ONE BAD EXPERIENCE DOES NOT MAKE UP THE WHOLE HOSPITAL. DO SOMETHING BETTER WITH YOUR TIME. GO WALK THE ISLAND! "

Doctors assistant wrote on Oct 12, 2008 10:53 PM:

" Only the Er doctors and the hospitalists are employed and payed by the hospital, all other physicians are independent contractors and they are not getting a dime from the hospital. The bill the patient and the insurance companyes. Unless you go to the ER, you get 2 separate bills, one from the hospital, one from the physician. The hospital's bill is usually 10-15x the physicians bill. If the physicians well paid, the hospital is overpayed. "

Ridiculous wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:01 PM:

" Lifepoint... They suck up the cash in a city... put a ribbon around the stacks of cash and send their profits to Tennessee... The good news, at least the doctors are compensated well... This hospital is one of the biggest organizations (and most profitable) in the REGION and they barely engage the community - when you're as large as HRMC and participate so little it make you think they have someone on staff who says, "Oooo... Sally, we heard you've donated some time to this cause, we're going to need you to not do that or at least, maybe, tell them you work for KRMC, thanks." When it comes to donations, I do beleive the DOCTORS donate more money than the hospital, which is pretty shameful considering the sheer magnitude of revenue the hospital generates... The community should organize and attempt to make HRMC a community trust, non-profit hosptial, similar to KRMC, it seems to be working for Kingman... "

Save it we have heard it before wrote on Oct 12, 2008 6:33 PM:

" They should put a big sign in front of the hospital that says, you can get better treatment else ware but you can’t pay more. Change the name to match the city, The Greed Machine. "

Had it with Havasu wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:16 PM:

" Good luck Mr. Mergen, and good luck to any patient who must go to HRMC. My experience with this hospital has been the worst. HRMC is reaching well beyond their capabilities to capture all revenues possible. I must give praise to most of the local people in the medical establishment though. We have some very talented and dedicated physicians and nursing staff. But I will never again allow myself to be admitted to HRMC. HRMC should be reduced to a medi-qwik and get more helicopters. Of course, the fee to fly to Las Vegas is nearly $30,000.00 and you can derive there in about 20 more minutes than they can fly it, so you only loss maybe 4 precious hours and $30K+ while you're processed through ER at HRMC. Yup, a great asset you've got here for us Mr. Mergen. HRMC is an unnecessary leach pleading for litigation. "

haha need more wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:02 PM:

" talk is cheap! "

fly me anywhere wrote on Oct 12, 2008 5:00 PM:

" a vaudevillian leading duplicittous morons, this ought to be on comedy central. surely this outfit with all its money could find better than this.? Sounds like they fed him out of the same trough as the ones prior.
Lets see who wants to bet 2 years TOPS!! He will destroy familys and employees records and leave with a promotion. In the mean time the apple polishers , stool pigeons will come out of the wood work to shake his hand, he'll reward them, the one who works their butt off will go and noticed and will go period. SO all you have left is the big mess, brown nosers, tattle tales. To make thems elves look good and it works , only at HRMC All of the good nurses left along time ago----blame them?? "

never HRMC wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:42 PM:

" mergen, poorten, sandy wise, chad,lifepoint Province, just a new name same game , beat em and cheat em when their in their most vulnerable state. Poor health . this guys from the same mold, lst he came from the hospital in fla with the worst reputation, the for profit of bradenton ,where the nurse patio ratio worst in the state, then he talks up this hospital and lifepoint BY THE EQUIPMENT they purchased !!!!! so it b asically said it s not the people the staff it s the big equipment so they can make more money!!! would he have open heart surgery here??? haha again looking at the age of the population so have can offer what he can make the most money off of. top notch ortho group --- unhuh the one from Bend Oregon biggest joke. try the CORE group in Sun city west or paradise valley all mayo grads trained and top 10 in their class. worth the trip. They need to have a van to take people to Phx for medical appts. do the public a service. LOVE THIS CITY< you are really numbered!!! what does the city and lay out and population have to do with the hospital??? maybe you can start your own forem, " POLLYANNA IS ME" people think you are wearing blinders or just plain nuts "

roosevelt franklin wrote on Oct 12, 2008 3:56 PM:

" Dear Mr. Mergen, Welcome to Lake Havasu City. This is a terrific town with a friendly group of people. As you will soon see, these posts don't reflect the true spirit of our town. Use care reading them as you can feel your I.Q. points dipping from excessive exposure. "

enough is enough wrote on Oct 12, 2008 11:42 AM:

" That would be nice to have some competition and give an other hospital a chance! How many second chances a hospital get?enough is enough! "

LovethisCity wrote on Oct 12, 2008 10:37 AM:

" No wonder I quit subscribing to the newspaper! What a bunch of complaining, whining, nay sayers! Is there anything good in this life,or is it just Lake Havasu you care to complain about? Simple solution here - if you don't like it here go back to the wonderful, out-of-state city from which they last asked you to leave!
Geesh! I hate complainers! "

obamacrimes.com wrote on Oct 12, 2008 10:28 AM:

" I agree, unless this new guy has more power and pull with the corporation, I don't see how he can improve what the other CEO's before him couldn't do. Also, he needs to deal with the good ol'boy network here, and once they grab a hold of him, we will continue to see the same. The majority of the doctors and their wives walk around this town, with their elitist attitudes, like we OWE them something! Their little backstabbing clicks and unprofessionalism towards one another needs to be addressed as well. Hence, the problem with the anesthesiologists. Their doctor "I am God" egos need to be addressed. Is this the man to do it and run this place with an iron unbiased fist? "

no way wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:53 AM:

" Adequate staffing? This guy really IS new! Get with the real world, Mr. CEO. Havasu does not have adequate nurse staffing, and the attorneys know it! "

whoops wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:52 AM:

" "We've got two helicopters sitting on a pad at all times."

Ready to fly patients to Vegas. "

speak the truth wrote on Oct 12, 2008 9:33 AM:

" Is your wife and kids going to move here and are you going to have a vested interest in this community or are you just another temp fix. Show us you really care and have your health care here and pay your property taxes here and then we will know you mean what you say "

Brad Rod wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:59 AM:

" The real problem is the way the hospital board limits the number of doctors that can practice in Lake Havasu. Without hospital approval a new doctor is forbidden to practice here. We have only ONE neurosurgical doctor who comes to town two days a month! The waiting list to see the doctor is over FOUR MONTHS LONG! In some cases the wait can be much longer. In the case of the Lake Havasu neurosurgeon the arrogance of the office staff is only surpassed by that of the doctor!

Lake Havasu is underserved by the medical community; in some cases it is severely underserved. A patient should not have to wait over six months to see a specialist. If the hospital was concerned with anything other than profit things would be different. A greedy Doctor owned hospital has let the community down time and time again.

I learned the hospital group from lake Havasu purchased the property that was proposed to be the site for competing hospital to prevent them from building a new hospital.
This kind of behavior does not serve the public, it suppresses the availability of decent medical care to the residents of our city.

Medical care has become a case of “we will get to you when we feel like it, be happy we treat you at all.” I for one think it is time to send a message to the profit driven Lake Havasu Regional Medical Center and the doctors who practice there. When a patient has to wait over six months to see a doctor something is very wrong! "

Welcome to the insane asylum Mr. Mergen wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:50 AM:

" In all fairness this Lynn Mergen may not even realize my opinion, but he will inevitably learn it fast. Even though all cities have a natural rumor mill, Lake Havasu City has to be the worst in the nation. Nothing in this community is a secret, and people here thrive on rumors and gossip.(even top level executives who blab it all at bars, and parties.)With respect to the local hospital, I have personally heard from countless employees(especially the E.R.) about how "dangerous and short staffed" certain departments are. ER staff has constantly brought in temporary, and exploited help from out of town nurses and doctors, and the regular, full time nurses take three or four patients, while the out of town temporary nurse gets stuck with 10 or 15 patients alone. There is a very high turnover rate in most departments, especially the E.R. Also, why does a city where 80% of the people are broke with no insurance have a "FOR PROFIT" hospital which carries a 600% mark-up. The department at HRMC with the highest staffing levels is the BILLING & COLLECTIONS department, not the treatment center. VERY SAD, and WE will be watching, and COMPLAINING every step of the way! "

Here we go Again wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:47 AM:

" I wish this man well but change begins at the Corporate Office.

I waited 5 hours in emergency room. There was a elderly couple came in about two hours after I was there and they were told they would have to wait a long time to see a doctor and they left. Guess the is status quo for this hospital. "

Pam Anderson for CEO wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:28 AM:

" Next time lifepoint should hire a celebrity to lie to us, they do a better job! At least give us a better lies! "

I told you so wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:26 AM:

" You can put a different lipstick on a the pig, but does not make him a good patient oriented community hospital. Nothing will change! "

Docshubby wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:24 AM:

" My wife has been a doc for over 30 years,big towns and small towns...in every small town its the same crap with the town hospital.They don't have compition so they don't give a crap...small town hospitals are universally the same.This is not just our opinion and experience...its the opinion and experience of most of the docs we know that have worked small town.The big fish in a small pond.Get private clinics...to push the bar UP "

no new ct needed wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:21 AM:

" The community already has 2 independent ct station the HRMC is buying the new ct to increase the profit and to eliminate competition, watever left. They do everything to have no competition, this is unamerican. Where is the union, when you need them? They added 50+ beds and fired RN-s, how do they expect the quality to rise? I think a new joker is in town! "

Nomore lifepoint wrote on Oct 12, 2008 8:17 AM:

" We the people want a change and a new hospital which has nothing to do with lifepoint. This is one of the few lifepoint hospital making profit and lifepoint is taking all the profit out and giving it to its ceos. This must change! We need a community hospital which investmoney in the community and in the retired people. "

longer waits with obama wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:59 AM:

" if you want to wait LONGER for help in the emergancy room then vote Obama.

The polls prove that many Americans are stupid enough to fall for any message well delivered, no matter how bad it is. "

What about the childern wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:56 AM:

" The reason there are two helicopters at HRMC is because they cannot treat childern at this hospital. Any kid that comes thru the ER that has a serious illness has to be flown to Vegas or Phoenix. They need to get pediatric services at this hospital. They want to concentrate on the elderly but they need to realize that we do have a big population of childern in this town. If you do not believe me than take stroll down McCulloch on halloween night and you will see!!! "

Ex wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:31 AM:

" As an ex employee of HRMC I can say from experience that I have never worked with so many unhappy employees. Everyone dislikes their job to abnormal levels. The aides constantly call in sick which makes RN do all the work. It is a chaotic mess. To employees: It's worth the drive to go to Kingman. "

NewTwoHavasu wrote on Oct 12, 2008 7:27 AM:

" Hey I want change too, unfortunately the change I want is how the hospital charges outrageous prices for services. Uninsured, I went in for a cold that turned really, really bad and walked out 2 hours later after seeing only a nurse, not a doctor, A NURSE! and she only saw me for less than 8 minutes of the 32 minutes I was in the room. Yes, I timed them. The sad thing was, THEY WEREN'T EVEN BUSY, from my room I could see the doctor standing around chatting up the nurses. Then, I almost needed to go back after the near heart-attack when I received a bill for $1200 from the hospital and then another $400 for a doctor THAT NEVER EVEN TOOK THE TIME TO SEE ME. Man, I wish I could charge $80 a minute in my business and not supply any services, but then again, Im not a greedy WANT IT ALL, AT ALL COSTS like the hospital. "

tq wrote on Oct 12, 2008 4:16 AM:

" are the prices for an ice pack going to go down i was charged $48.00 for an ice pack and the gowns i was there for 9 hours and charged $57.00 3 time for 3 gowns that only cost at the most $10.oo each i can prove it i still have the bill never again will i stay there it would be cheaper to hire a jet to vegas "

TIRED OF THE BASHING wrote on Oct 12, 2008 12:07 AM:

" NEW PUPPET, DO YOU HAVE ISSUES OR WHAT? IF SOMEONE OR SOMETHING IS TRYING TO IMPROVE THE HOSPITAL, GIVE THEM A CHANCE! IT WILL NOT IMPROVE IF PEOPLE LIKE YOU DON'T HAVE AN OPEN MIND. IF YOU WANT TO DRIVE TO KINGMAN TO GO TO THAT HOSPITAL, THEN WHY DON'T YOU JUST MOVE THERE. YOU'RE NOT IMPRESSING ANYONE! GROW UP! "

new puppet wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:30 PM:

" this guy is only a new puppet he has no power all the decision will be made in Tenneessee and all the profit will go to Tenneessee as before. We have a new bone to chew on and the hospital silenced us for 6 months. No new change will be expected, this puppet will last maximum 1 year. After 6 months we can say bad things about him, they will get a new ceo, but with the care, service and prices nothing will change. They get a new ceo and they are fired at least 10 RNs, the rest of the has to take forced vacation. The only thing the new ceo will do cash his bonus check, laugh at us and live to an other place. Nothing will change. Kingman will have a second hospital soon and they are not greedy profit oriented lifepoint hospitals! Drive 1 hr or die! "

Vote for Obama wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:18 PM:

" They already sucked our blood out what else do they want? The goverment has to step in and make this greedy poorly performing hospital a non-profit hospital! The goverment has to bail out the people who have large (mostly unjustified) medical bills from the hospital. 10000 $ for a 30 minutes surgery? Plus 2000 $ doctors fees. They are unethical thiefs! "

need more wrote on Oct 11, 2008 10:09 PM:

" a man who accepts the public perception and wants honest change. To bad the mayor, council and city manager do not accept the same responsibility for the broken city justice system. "

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