Blood-borne Pathogens Problem in Nevada

March 25, 2008

This is an e-mail sent to Nevada State Assemblywoman Shiela Leslie, D-Reno, March 25, 2008

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Dear Ms Leslie,

I read where you were involved in a public forum in Las Vegas about the blood borne pathogens exposure problem there. Thank you for letting people say what they thought and to express their fears. I hope they get the information and medical help they need.

Unfortunately, words will not correct this problem nor will it prevent this kind of thing from happening again.  We have serious issues with health care in Nevada and this is one of many.

I find it disheartening the Governor blames the media and supports the clinic and because of this I have no faith he will do anything substantive to change our health care system. This means it is up to the Legislature to do so and I hope it will next year. Please consider:

We need a patient advocate system, independent of politics to help them deal with bad health care providers. 

We need to insure our health departments have the authority and resources (people and money) to conduct evaluations of all health care providers in Nevada and to take action. Routine inspections on a schedule cannot do this, there has to be a better way to evaluate them.

There must be an effective whistle blower protection system for all health care professionals to encourage them to report problems.

I take issue with employee or board member firings because they solve little. However, they are a good way to show something is being done and since we seem to be “on a roll”, I would like to add more to the firing line:

The former Health Division administrator, Alex Haartz is still employed with the state and he was in charge when this tragedy occurred. If you don’t know, Mr. Haartz is currently a program analyst for the Legislature. He must be fired for his incompetence as Health Division Administrator.

Mike Willden, the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services must be fired. He was also in charge and failed to handle the situation appropriately.

Finally, every doctor and licensed health care provider involved in creating this tragedy must have their licenses revoked.

There, I feel better already.

Whether our citizens visit a clinic, stay in a hospital, or reside in a convalescent center, they deserve protection because they are vulnerable. They (and we) rely on professionals to do the right thing and many times this does not happen.

Please, do what you can.

Jim Pierce

Minden, NV

PS:

I am a retired state employee who used to work for the Health Division (1977-1996) but left due to incredibly poor management there. Also, I could not and would not do the things they wanted me to do, so I transferred to a different agency.  While with the Health Division I was also a hearing officer dealing with cases and problems in convalescent centers, mainly in Las Vegas. Now there is a bomb ready to explode. Get ready!

Response by Sheila Leslie on March 25, 2008

Thanks for your thoughtful email.  You make some excellent suggestions.

 

I also am very concerned about the skilled nursing homes and other group settings that may not be receiving the quantity and quality of necessary inspections.

 

I appreciate your views and will make sure they are considered as we move forward with some legislative solutions.  Sheila