The Department of Health resolves issues at Nghe An Dermatology Hospital.
(Baonghean.vn) - Revenue is insufficient to cover expenses; currently, Nghe An Dermatology Hospital has only paid salaries to its staff up to June 2023, and still owes them four months' worth of salary.
TRevenue is insufficient to cover expenses, resulting in unpaid salaries for officials and employees.
At the meeting on the afternoon of October 24th, the leadersNghe An Dermatology HospitalThe unit reported on the difficulties and obstacles encountered. Accordingly: In terms of structure and personnel, the hospital has 5 departments; 33 staff members, including 17 doctors (12 of whom have practicing certificates), 6 nurses, and 2 pharmacists (college level).
The hospital currently lacks many specialized medical equipment and tools, as well as desks and chairs for staff. The missing specialized medical equipment includes a biochemical analyzer (existing but damaged and under repair), a hematology analyzer, and microscopes. These three types of machines are essential for basic laboratory testing in the Clinical Laboratory Department.
Therefore, Nghe An Dermatology Hospital has not met the regulations regarding signing agreements for health insurance examinations and treatments due to a lack of university-trained pharmacists to appoint as Head of the Pharmacy and Medical Supplies Department and to manage the hospital pharmacy; the absence of a Clinical Laboratory (laboratory and diagnostic imaging) Department; and a shortage of nurses.
From the beginning of the year until now, the hospital has provided examination and treatment for 30,091 patients (voluntary examinations), including CO2 laser and IPL treatments for 1,124 people, laboratory tests for 16,770 people, and skin care for 2,551 people…
The hospital's total revenue from the beginning of the year to date is over 2.787 billion VND, reaching 42% of the projected target. Meanwhile, the salary fund for hospital staff and employees over the past 10 months is over 3.055 billion VND. The difference between revenue and expenditure is (-) over 1.125 billion VND…
Therefore, the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital is currently only able to pay salaries up to June 2023, owing its staff four months' worth of wages. It is known that in 2022, the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital also experienced a situation where revenue did not cover expenses and staff salaries were overdue.
During the meeting, the leaders of the Nghe An Department of Health listened to the concerns, aspirations, and suggestions of the staff of the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital, including: the lack of facilities, equipment, chemicals, biological products, and supplies for work; difficulties in the lives of staff due to unpaid salaries; the loss of trust among staff in the current hospital leadership; and worries about the future of the hospital…
Based on this situation, the leaders of the Department of Health, its departments and divisions, and the staff of Nghe An Dermatology Hospital conducted an analysis to clarify the unit's "bottlenecks": Firstly, a large number of patients but low revenue. Secondly, the inability to sign contracts for medical examination and treatment under health insurance.
Specifically: Nghe An Dermatology Hospital currently has a team of highly qualified doctors, attracting a large number of patients (comparable to other specialized hospitals in the area). However, the hospital lacks and has not yet implemented high-tech services; it also lacks basic medical equipment… Therefore, the hospital's revenue is low, mainly coming from consultation fees, laboratory services, and treatment techniques (which can also be performed at spas outside).
The hospital is facing a shortage of personnel (nurses, university-trained pharmacists) and equipment, preventing the establishment of a paraclinical department and the formation of a pharmacy. Therefore, it cannot meet the requirements for signing contracts for medical examination and treatment under health insurance; this affects patients' rights and the hospital's revenue.
It is known that in 2022, when the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital showed signs of stagnation and underdevelopment, the Nghe An Department of Health held a comprehensive meeting to analyze the causes and propose solutions to stabilize the hospital. The Department of Health also established a support team for the hospital, headed by two Deputy Directors, with the participation of all departments and divisions. The support team implemented many solutions to help the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital, but the hospital lacked initiative in adopting them and was slow to change.
The reasons for the stagnation and slow resolution of weaknesses have been clearly identified: The Board of Directors of Nghe An Dermatology Hospital lacks dynamism, creativity, responsibility, and dedication to the hospital's development. The hospital leadership lacks unity, democratic centralism, and exemplary leadership, and has not shown concern or shared the concerns of its staff.
Solutions
The Nghe An Dermatology Hospital was established on September 23, 2019, according to Decision No. 3731/QD-UBND of the Provincial People's Committee, based on the upgrading of the Nghe An Provincial Leprosy and Dermatology Center. The hospital is a provincial-level public health service unit, category 3, operating autonomously in terms of recurrent expenditure, belonging to group 2, and is directly under the Nghe An Department of Health.
Concluding the meeting, Dr. Nguyen Thi Hong Hoa, Director of the Nghe An Department of Health, stated: The establishment of the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital is a correct policy, in line with the general development trend and that of Nghe An province in particular, meeting the needs of the people for medical examination, treatment, and cosmetic care. However, in the past, the hospital has not performed its duties well or fully utilized its functions and advantages.
The Director of the Department of Health also outlined fundamental solutions, clearly assigning responsibilities to each department, division, and individual in supporting the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital to stabilize and develop as soon as possible.
Specifically: Hospital leaders are required to uphold a high sense of responsibility towards their work and the unit; enhance the role and responsibility of the head of the unit, especially in setting an example and showing concern for the development of the unit as well as the lives of staff; build internal unity and democratic centralism; consolidate and improve the organizational structure; do a good job of ideological work for staff; and emphasize adherence to discipline, regulations, and rules of the hospital.
Hospital leaders should improve their management and operational capabilities; review functions and responsibilities to promptly find solutions to overcome difficulties and develop a unit development plan; and plan for recruitment, improving professional quality, and developing technical services…
The Nghe An Department of Health agrees with the proposal to reorganize the leadership structure of the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital to help the hospital stabilize and develop.
To develop its expertise and technical services, the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital needs to fully implement all approved techniques to be eligible for health insurance contracts; perfect techniques towards comprehensive, on-site treatment packages, especially in cosmetic services; and make good use of its existing 20 beds… In particular, it is necessary to put an end to the practice of hospital doctors luring patients to their private clinics.
Alongside developing its technical expertise, the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital needs to create a green, clean, and beautiful environment; foster a polite and civilized working atmosphere; enhance the spirit and attitude of service; and create a unique selling point to attract patients and those seeking cosmetic procedures.
The Director of the Nghe An Department of Health agreed with the proposals of the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital, including: supporting the hospital in signing a contract for medical examination and treatment under health insurance as soon as possible; establishing a Clinical Laboratory Department; bringing the pharmacy into operation soon; purchasing medical equipment; and training staff.
The Director of the Nghe An Department of Health clearly assigned tasks to the departments: The Planning and Finance Department is to guide the hospital in purchasing equipment from the unit's career development fund and balance revenue to pay salaries for staff; review the equipment and facilities that the hospital lacks to prioritize their transfer and allocation. The Medical Professional Affairs Department is to guide the hospital in improving the techniques and conditions to be eligible for health insurance coverage.
The Personnel Department facilitated the transfer of university-trained pharmacists and nurses to the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital. The Professional Practice Management Department assisted in guiding the hospital in establishing a pharmacy. The Pharmaceutical Management Department assisted in guiding the hospital in purchasing chemicals, biological products, and consumables. The Office of the Department of Health assisted in guiding the hospital in developing information technology. The Trade Union and the Youth Union of the Health sector shared and encouraged staff members at the hospital who were facing difficulties and supported the hospital in developing its communication and promotion efforts.
According to the Director of the Nghe An Department of Health: The solutions are clear, but the most important thing is that the Nghe An Dermatology Hospital must unite, proactively overcome difficulties and strive forward, avoiding a mentality of waiting and relying on others.