RE: response from my contact at CMS -2

From: Kathi Stringer [mailto:kathistringer@earthlink.net]

Sent: Sunday, July 29, 2007 1:37 PM

To: paul.cumming@yahoo.com; Leslie Morrison

Cc: Kathi Stringer

Subject: RE: response from my contact at CMS

Hello Leslie. I'm not sure but I think the "I" in ITF stands for Intensive Treatment Facility. Also, I've attached my progress notes concerning ETS with L&C/DHS. DHS promised to get back to me in 60 days but that time period has come and gone. The latest I'm suppose to get a call from Carlyon this next week. I feel they are stalling and I’m not sure why. You can read the attached notes and you can get a feel for the barriers that I'm facing. Depending on what I learn next week, I might have to contact Sacto. Please FWD this to your contact with CMS if you like. Thanks for your concern on this very important matter that affects many clints....Kathi

NOTES BELOW ATTACHED TO THE ABOVE EMAIL

5/3/07 12:36 PM

Message left on answering machine for Wing Ling Young (sic) 909-383-6701. Asked for return call to my cell. Requested info on ETS statuary definition. Please call back so we can discuss.

5/3/07 12:42 PM

Message left on answering machine for Carolyn McHugh, HFEN 909-383-6705. Asked for return call to my cell. Request follow-up. Requested info on ETS statuary definition. Please call back so we can discuss.

5/3/07 1:22 PM I spoke with Genee (receptionist?) that answered the main phone at (909) 388-7170. I requested to speak with Joan Chang, Carolyn McHugh or Wing Ling Young. Genee stated that Carolyn and Wing Ling were in a meeting. I asked for Joan and she indicated that Joan was no longer with the agency. I asked to whom would I address a follow-up to a previous Plan of Corrective and she indicated that Bonnie Holle was acting in Joan’s place for the time being. I asked if I could leave a message with her (Genee) and she indicated that she would rather not take a message and that I direclty leave a message on Carolyn or Wing Ling’s message machine. She stated both have been in and out of meetings all day.

5/3/07 2:50 PM

I called Carolyn McHugh, HFEN 909-383-6705 and she answered. I asked if she remembered me and she did. I gave an overview of my concern that ETS is still out of compliance beyond the completion date of 6/2006. She remembered the situation and indicated that ETS has made some progress finding other ways to get individuals off the unit. I indicated that it was reported to me that some individuals were on ETS for a couple of days, so that it appears that even though ETS is finding other ways to get patients off the unit, it isn’t keeping up with the pace of the new influx of patients. And I am requesting that ETS do something more then repeat the same Plan of Corrective. I indicated that (a) demand ETS stop accepting patients in when at full bed capacity, or; (b) ETS to show evidence of a realistic plan already in action to build another facility with a completion date, or; (c) ETS show evidence of a realistic plan already in action to relocate to a larger facility with a completion date. Carolyn indicated that I needed to make another compliant and request for inspection before anything can happen. She also indicated that a different officer might make the visit and note her. She also said that if she did look at the issue herself, that she needed to consider other issues besides ETS being out of compliance. I indicated that I would need an out of compliance letter from L&C in order to advocate for a solution with the Board of Supervisors. She repeated that she needed me to issue another compliant before anything can be done. I said I would get the compliant completed, with pervious information already delivered in the past, and that I would hand deliver the compliant.

5/4/07

Went to L&C at 625 E. Carnegie Drive, Ste 280, San Bernardino, CA 92408 / (909) 388-7170. I arrived at 9:30 AM, and left at 10:45 AM. I spoke to Ricki (sic) at the receptionist window and asked for Wing Ling or Carolyn. Both were out – this Friday was day off. Ask for Bonnie and she was not in either. I presented the 3-page letter with the 17 attachments to Ricky, and she signed the LETTER(S) RECEIPT. She signed it PHL, and then printed R. Hughes. I asked her for the public records for RCRMC and she gave me 4 folders full of documentation. I found some licensees for RCRMC with the 77-bed Psych attachment at the Arlington Campus. I also found lot of pages of correspondence addressing the debate how to license the 77 beds on Psych Arlington Campus. Ricki (sic) copied over 70 pages for me at .10 ea. I asked Ricki whose desk she put the letters/package/documentation on that she signed for, and she indicated she put it one Carolyn McHugh’s desk.

5/15/07 10:52 AM

I called (909) 388-7170 and Ricki answered the phone. I asked if Carolyn McHugh was in and Ricki said that she was and would transfer me. When Carolyn answered I said that I was Kathi Stringer, and that I wanted to confirm that she got my letter because when I dropped it off, they said it was put on your desk. Carolyn said she got the letter. I asked if she had a chance to review it. She said, no, but then she said she scanned through it. Then she said, “You don’t have to keep calling me over here any more.” She sounded real snotty to me. I answered, “The nature of the call was to confirm if you got the letter.” She said, “I said I got it and I’ll get to it when I get to it. Don’t call me anymore. I’ll let you know when I get to it.” Her tone was not helpful at all. As I write this note, I decided I to call her supervision. I was not going to wait another 8 months like the last time. Call terminated.

5/15/07 11:05 AM

I called I called (909) 388-7170 and Ricki answered the phone. I stated that I would like to talk to Bonnie Holle. She said no supervisor was in. I indicated that I would like to speak with someone about Carolyn’s tone. I was hoping not to have to call the state capital to get some response. Then Ricki checked and found that Bonnie Holle, the acting supervisor was in and would take my call. When Bonnie got online, I shared with her how Carolyn talked to me and that I wasn’t going to put up with it. Last time she was so resistant that it took 8 months to complete the plan of action. I was told that the reason Carolyn was taking so long is because they did not want to site ETS. Carolyn asked who was ‘they?” I said “they” are you guys, the local H&C. Bonnie said that comment concerns her a lot and wanted to know who said it. I said I can’t reveal my sources but the proof is in the action. Last time it took 8 months and Carolyn kept saying it wasn’t her problem but it was a community problem. I briefly shared the nature of the out-of-complience problem with Bonnie. Bonnie asked was this problem going on at ETS during the night as well as the day? I said yes, and Bonnie said then it wouldn’t make any difference if they made a visit at day or night? I could see where she was going with this. I indicated that if an unannounced visit was made and they didn’t find evidence at the time of the visit, that doesn’t mean it is not going on. And, last time they looked at a 6-month spread at ETS to establish a performance indicator. So, to stick to the rules of measuring quality, performance indicators need to be established with the same 6-month period. Bonnie said she would talk to Carolyn and see what is going on.

5/15/07 11:43 AM

Bonnie called back and said she talked to Carolyn and that Carolyn is very familiar with the case and she would be handing it. I indicated that my concern was that last time it took Carolyn 8 months to get this done! So when I heard Carolyn say to me, “I got it and I’ll get to it when I get to it. Don’t call me anymore.” is a very great concern to me. Bonnie said that in the future I could all her for information. I asked about how long was this going to take because I won’t put up with waiting another 8-months like last time. “Do you have any idea when I will be hearing about these issues? Is this going to take a long time like last time?” Bonnie speculated that I would be hearing from them real soon. I thanked her and said goodbye.

July 5, 2007 11:55AM.

It has been 2 months since I contacted L&C. Per their letter this should have been resolved by now. I will call 909-388-7170 to follow-up.

I called 909-388-7170 and Genee answered the phone. I asked for Bonnie Holle. Genee asked in what regards do I want to speak to her about. I indicated that I had spoken to Carolyn McHugh in the past regarding a letter to Bonnie Holle, dated May 3, 2007. There was a personality conflict with Carolyn McHugh and that she did not come across as helpful. So, Bonnie asked that I direct all communications with her (Bonnie) in the future. Genee said, “Oh, so you are calling about a facility? What facility is it? I stated it was the Riverside ETS facility. I was put on hold. Genee came back on and said the Bonnie was there but she was in a meeting. Bonnie asked that I leave a message on her voice phone. Genee transferred me over to Bonnie voice mail. I left a message that, “My name is Kathi Stringer and my phone is 951-515-6214. I am calling about a letter that I sent to you dated May 3, 2007.” I indicated that it has been past the 60-day time limit to get a response for the corrective action letter that I sent. I also indicated that she (Bonnie) asked me to call her in the future instead of Carolyn McHugh on this matter.

July 5, 2007 4:05P.M.

I called 909-388-7170 and Dina answered the phone. I asked for Bonnie Holle. I was put on hold. Dina came back on and said that Holle was “behind closed doors.” Dina asked if I wanted to leave a message. I indicated that I had already left a message earlier. I asked Dina if she would convey to Bonnie that I called and left a message earlier. Dian said that she would do that.

July 9, 2007 11:35 A.M.

Kim answered. Said that Bonnie Holle was not in. She asked who else I could speak to. I said Carolyn McHugh. I was put on hold. Kim came back and said Bonnie Holle would be in that afternoon. I asked what happened to Carolyn McHugh. Kim said she was out. I asked Kim to leave a message for Bonnie. Message left: This is Kathi Stringer and I’m calling about corrective action at ETS. I was supposed to get a response in 60 days and time is up. I gave Kim the 2 times I left messages last Thursday 7/5/07 11:55AM and 4:05PM. I left my phone 951-515-6214. Kim said she would give here the message.