Deaconess provoked conflict

The June 20 editorial in the S-R expresses concern over the counterproductive battle between Deaconess and Sacred Heart hospitals. However, the writer missed an important point when it was stated, “Even in Deaconess’ nonprofit days, it and Sacred Heart had their tiffs, but they ultimately found a way to temper competitiveness with cooperation.”

What has changed? Deaconess decided to become a for-profit hospital and bought a local medical group to provide patients for the hospital. Since then, Deaconess has thrown up one obstacle after another to cooperation. Rockwood physicians now are required to send 90 percent of their patients to Deaconess.

In addition, Deaconess discontinued providing any level 2 trauma services, leaving Sacred Heart as the sole level 2 trauma center in the region. Sacred Heart will see more acutely ill patients and needs more acute care rooms for them. But Deaconess prefers to spend the money fighting this needed expansion instead of improving its own facilities, where only 250 patients can be accommodated in its 388 beds.

The counterproductive battle started when Deaconess put making a buck a higher priority than being part of a regional health care delivery system. Let’s put the blame for this battle where it belongs.

Donald F. Calbreath

Spokane