DOCTORS WANT MORE MERGER INFORMATION

Cape Girardeau physicians represented by an ad hoc committee of the local medical society say they support hospital merger talks but aren't ready to endorse the plan.

The seven-member committee, formed in October, met Tuesday and decided more information and perhaps changes are needed before an endorsement can be given.

Southeast Missouri Hospital and St. Francis Medical Center continue to assemble legal documents required for a merger of the two hospitals. Contrary to broadcast reports, no documents have been filed with the U.S. Justice Department.

Dr. Billy Hammond, chairman of the ad hoc physicians' committee, said: "We are supportive of the efforts thus far and are open to communication with the representative executive boards. But there remain a number of issues that are unresolved."

Specifically, physicians have questions about governance of a single hospital and would like to see a written, five-year plan of action for the merger. The group plans to send a letter to the hospital boards outlining physician suggestions and concerns.

Southeast Missouri Hospital administrator Jim Wente said he welcomes suggestions from physicians. St. Francis Medical Center president Jim Sexton was out of town Tuesday.

Wente said, "We are delighted they are working with us to try to work through the issues relative to governance and centers of excellence. It takes awhile to build consensus."

Six centers for excellence are proposed to be divided between the two hospitals. The centers would provide advanced care in oncology, trauma, maternal and pediatrics, cardiac surgery and cardiology, orthopedics and joint replacement, and neurology-neurosurgery.

Each hospital campus would still provide general surgical and medical services. Dividing specialized care would help cut costs.

Hammond said physicians want to be part of the decision-making process.

"When you have an issue as important as this, there will be many different points of view," Hammond said. "We are an important part of the solution, and obviously we have to work together toward a dynamic plan for health care in the future."

The ad hoc committee was formed by members of the Cape Girardeau County Medical Society, which represents about 90 percent of physicians practicing in the county.

"There was a feeling widespread among physicians that we did not have enough information," Hammond said.

The committee's task is to meet with the executive boards of both hospitals and with business people to gain more information. The hospital boards have requested an endorsement of the proposed merger from physicians.

"At this point there is not a consensus on the part of the physicians for an unqualified endorsement," Hammond said. "There is strong consensus to support the activities of the boards so far."

Physicians would like to see changes in the proposed governing board of a merged institution.

If the merger goes through, a new governing board that would include three physicians is planned. Physicians want at least four doctors on that board and want input into specifics of the merger structure.

In addition, Hammond said, questions remain about how members would be elected to the board and the overall composition of it.

"We would like to see the plan for the merger," he said. The hospitals have discussed formation of centers of excellence, but details are few, Hammond said.

Physicians would like written steps on bringing about the merger. "Where are we starting and where will we end up?" Hammond asked.

The hospital boards have been discussing the merger plans for about a year. The physicians' group was organized about eight weeks ago.

"We're becoming involved in a process that has largely already played out," Hammond said. But, he said, physicians want to participate.

"A plan has to have obvious benefits to our patients and the community in terms of quality and cost," Hammond said. "What we really want is what is best for our patients."