DOCTOR CITES CONCERN OVER LOCAL HEALTH-CARE DUPLICATION

Doctors are concerned about the duplication of health-care services and equipment at the two Cape Girardeau hospitals, says a doctor who heads a physicians' organization.

The doctor, Gordon W. Eller of Cape Girardeau, is president of the Independent Practice Association, which comprises about 100 area doctors.

"Over the years the physicians have been concerned about duplication of services and how it affects the overall cost of hospital care in the community," said Eller.

He said doctors want the community to have the most efficient and effective medical care possible. The issue, he said, is complex.

"The solution is also extremely difficult, but it would mean that each hospital would also have to give up some of its own autonomy."

The Southeast Missouri Business Group on Health and others, pointing to hospital partnerships nationwide, have suggested consolidating Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center.

Marc Smith, one of the vice presidents of the BJC Health System, created by the consolidation of several St. Louis hospitals, will discuss the reasons for that consolidation at a public forum Oct. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Drury Lodge. The event is sponsored by the Business Group on Health.

But Eller said "friendly competition" between the two hospitals has been the cornerstone of a good health-care system in Cape Girardeau over the years.

"Each hospital has responded well to competition," said Eller. But he said, "We are in a situation now where I am not sure we can afford that competition any more."

The recent establishment of the region's first physician hospital organization could foster greater cooperation among the two Cape Girardeau hospitals as well as the Sikeston, Perryville and Dexter hospitals and area doctors, Eller said.

He suggested the PHO, MedAmerica HealthNet Inc., consider establishing an advisory board to review the procedures and programs considered necessary at each of the five hospitals and make recommendations when warranted.

Privately, some people have contended that some of the competition for high-tech equipment is brought on by the doctors themselves.

Eller said Cape Girardeau attracts doctors partly because it has competing facilities. "Actually, if a physician feels that something is really needed and he doesn't have the attention of one hospital, then he has the opportunity to go to another hospital," explained Eller.

If Cape Girardeau had a single hospital, some improved services might not have been offered, he said.

Also, both hospitals already cooperate in a number of ways, from physician recruitment to medical education programs for the community, officials with the two institutions have pointed out.

There are differences of opinion among area doctors regarding the merits of consolidation. But Eller said doctors in general feel there is a need for greater hospital cooperation without damaging the viability of either Cape Girardeau hospital.