Parkland Looks Scared. A team of federal inspectors will soon descend on Parkland to conduct a very thorough review of the hospital’s operations. The Morning News got its hands on an internal memo (sub. req.) that reveals how the hospital is preparing. “Never leave the surveyor alone,” the memo said. “Do not linger or stray from the selected area and avoid known problems.” And: “Tell the truth … [but] do not offer more information than what the surveyor asks!!!” The hospital has made an enemy of the newspaper by attempting to conceal information from it. Now it is making that same mistake with federal investigators. Not good.
DART Sticks to Its Guns. Speaking of blundering public agencies, DART could use a little crisis communications advice (sub. req.). You’ll recall that on the day of the Mavs parade, a train got stuck under Central Expressway, and about 200 passengers, without communication from the conductor, decided to hike out of the tunnel. A board member earlier said the passengers had broken the law and endangered themselves and others. Given an opportunity to recast the agency’s stance on the ordeal, DART president Gary Thomas again criticized the actions of the riders — and refused to apologize for the mishap. The paper prints a stinging editorial on the matter (free!).
Dirk’s Birthday Party Was Better Than Yours. Marc Stein has the details, if you missed them yesterday. I love the detail about the Nobel laureates.
Dallas Woman Gives Birth to Sextuplets. It’s unclear to me why it happened in Alabama, but here are some cool pics of the births.
10 comments
Oh, Parkland, there are things you put in writing and there are things you communicate face to face.
The sextuplets woman is from Dallas County, Alabama, not Dallas, Texas.
@clarifying: That story said she was from Dallas County, Texas. Thanks for setting us straight.
How funny – my sister gave birth 2 weeks ago at the very same hospital where the sextuplets’ mama had been on bedrest for 3 weeks trying to keep those babies in as long as she could. There were already not enough beds for the delivering Moms that week – glad she held out a bit longer!
Can’t see the memo; it’s behind the don’t snoop wall. But what you’ve highlighted doesn’t seem illegal. Heck, not even unethical. From what you’ve highlighted, the employees are told to cooperate but don’t volunteer — the exact same advice I’ve received in private litigation (as an employee and as a litigant). What, exactly, is your point? Don’t cooperate? Do volunteer unasked for information?
Oh Parkland Story…why must you be behind a paywall…you big tease
This story about Parkland doesn’t seem sneaky it seems smart. Have you ever worked somewhere that gets gov’t inspections? They’re valuable but they’re also crummy. It’s sort of a lose the forest for the trees thing.
The bottom line is that DMN has a hard on for Parkland and nothing they can do will change DMN’s mind.
Regardless of the survey, the advice is always answer the question, but don’t offer more than what is asked. If you have ever gone through gov’t inspections, you’ve probably received the same instructions, regardless of the industry.
Look who’s finally joined the “Parkland is really in trouble” bandwagon.
Tim, I guess when UTSW stops paying you ad money, the reality of the situation is much more clearer to see.
It’s hardy credible to contend that the DMN is fishing for a story at Parkland when a final inspection by CMS to determine a hospital’s participation in Medicare and Medicaid are on the line.
This memo is not so smart if it leaks in the press, where the CMS inspectors were interviewed showing their displeasure of being “played around with” by Parkland officials.
Oops! I guess that’s what is happening. Not too bright there Parkland.