CMS Extends Scrutiny Over Parkland Hospital

The ED changes are supposed to effect patient flow, which was an issue CMS pointed out in 2011. To that end, Parkland also recently named Marilyn Callies, RN, BSN, MBA, as vice president of care coordination. Her focus will solely be on case management and improving patient flow as well as discharge planning. Callies was previously the director of care coordination at Baylor University Medical Center.

One position that is part of the recommended improvements is the role of newly-created Chief Patient Rights and Safety Officer, which Parkland has had trouble filling. The position is supposed to help the hospital show how seriously it considers patient rights and safety.

In December, Alvarez & Marsal acknowledged the delay in hiring a CPRSO, but said it was intentional, to "get the role right." Now, according to Foran, the responsibilities of a CPRSO will be split between an Associate Chief Medical Officer for Quality, who hasn't been hired, and the Senior Vice President for Quality and Performance, Jackie Sullivan, PhD.

Areas that Parkland continues to focus on as the April 30 deadline approaches are care coordination and transitions in behavioral health, as well as continuing to audit departments across the system to determine if the new processes and practices are sustainable.