By Randall Higgins
Cleveland Bureau
CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- County Commissioner Jeff Yarber said he's unhappy with the care his wife received at SkyRidge Medical Center and that he may make weekly statements at County Commission meetings expressing his concerns.
SkyRidge is the combined campuses of the former Bradley Memorial Hospital and Cleveland Community Hospital. The county sold Bradley Memorial in September 2005 to Community Health Systems of Brentwood, Tenn.
At a County Commission workshop, Mr. Yarber said selling the hospital was a tough decision to solve a difficult financial situation.
"But I was under the understanding when we sold it to this company that they were going to make needed improvements and were going to offer a better service. Sad to say, after my wife being there three or four days, I don't think they are in better shape or they are offering better service," Mr. Yarber said.
"I believe this is a concern for our county," he said. "Being as I represent probably the lowest socioeconomic district in the county, my people are probably affected by this as much as anyone."
SkyRidge spokeswoman Ann Marie Brewer said the hospital could not comment about a patient because of federal patient privacy rules under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Mr. Yarber said his wife went to the hospital having seizures but saw a doctor only once, for a few minutes, during her first 24 hours. Only after his mother-in-law threatened to call the media did the family get more attention, Mr. Yarber said.
"They informed us they had met their minimum legal responsibilities," Mr. Yarber said.
Mrs. Yarber was moved to Emory University Hospital in Atlanta and is now recovering, Mr. Yarber said.
He said he does not know where the county can take his concerns now. But he noted he is a commissioner for at least three more years and that the commission meets nearly every Monday.
"I will bring it up next Monday, and the next Monday, until I find a resolution somehow," he said.
Ms. Brewer said doctors are not employees of the hospital and Mr. Yarber may have an issue with the doctor.
The $76.5 million hospital sale included an agreement for $36.8 million in capital improvements to the former Bradley Memorial campus.
In February, hospital marketing director Leanne Woodland told MainStreet Cleveland members Community Health Systems plans a $45 million expansion at the main campus.
E-mail Randall Higgins at rhiggins@timesfreepress.com
