Removing CRMC from the Critical List

by: Bill Liblick

Several weeks ago I wrote a column questioning whether Catskill Regional Medical Center was still on the critical list. The basis from my rant was due to changes at CRMC which included closing of the infectious disease unit and several doctors leaving.

Over the past several weeks I have run into people, received phone calls and emails from employees and patients expressing numerous concerns.

When I penned the column my objective was not to condemn CRMC or its administration. Even though I have always been a big supporter of the hospital, I felt there were questions which should be brought out in the public for open discussion. Obviously, one can take an excerpt from any given column and spin it any which way they want. 

The hospital’s new CEO Steve Ruwoldt was not happy with what I had to say, so he responded with a harshly written counterpoint. I read his rebuttal very carefully, and concluded I was perhaps negligent in not phoning him to discuss the trepidations of those who contacted me.  So, I decided to do just that, and we set up an appointment.

When you meet Ruwoldt one gets the impression that he is sincere, a hard worker, and has the ability to make the changes at our hospital which are so desperately needed. I must say that after meeting with him, I have nothing but complimentary remarks for our hospital’s new CEO.

Ruwoldt’s approach is clearly hands on. He has spent the past several months getting to know Sullivan County residents and their needs by attending meeting and speaking before community organizations. On occasion he makes hospital rounds. During a recent visit to the emergency room he apologized to those waiting for medical care for any delay they may have incurred.

What Ruwoldt inherited is by no means an easy task to fix. The facility is in debt in excess of $50 million, and the state is constantly on its back for repayment.  He was successful in turning things around at an inner city hospital in Cleveland, so hopefully his skills to will ultimately provide Sullivan County with a premier medical center.

Ruwoldt emphasized that, “things cannot be done the same way they have in the past. Mindsets must be changed. Change can be unsettling, but if we don’t have it, things will never get better.” Perhaps that is why people are so nervous, and they began contacting me in the first place, because they are fearful of any form of adjustment.

Clearly there is a difficult balancing act between providing Sullivan County with premier health care and operating in the black. Ruwoldt is convinced he will do just that in part thanks to the new affiliation with Crystal Run and Orange County Regional Medical Center.

He claims that patient relations are getting better, and more nurses have been hired at the hospital.

A key trepidation has been the closing of the infectious disease unit and clinic. These patients are now directed to Hudson River Healthcare, a non-profit in Monticello.

Dr. Gary Good who ran the infectious disease department at CRMC has joined the facility in Monticello, as have several other staff members. Ruwoldt in praising Hudson River said CRMC has to align itself with other medical groups in order to survive.

As I suspected, the unit was merged into the Monticello facility due to finances. Hudson River receives federal funds. Under federal law, according to Ruwoldt, only one facility in each county can receive such money, so it was financially sensible to combine it with Hudson River.

By getting out of clinic based services, the hospital can now concentrate on growth.

Ruwoldt does acknowledge there will be a temporary adjustment period for patient and doctor relationships to develop because several physicians are no longer affiliated with the hospital.

The new medical team from Crystal Run will certainly be a big plus. Their doctors are highly regarded within the medical community.

According to Ruwold, a problem facing hospitals throughout the country is the uninsured. A hospital must provide emergency care to everyone whether they can pay or not.

Ruwold plans to increase the hospital’s business by providing quality medical care and customer service. “We want people to have a good feeling here, and not go elsewhere. We are working on improving patient services and our reputation.”

It has been a little over six months since Ruwold took over the helm, and I am certain if anyone can get us off the critical list - he can.

Email Bill