Physicians who oversee care quality and safety at Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System unanimously approved a no-confidence vote in several of the health system's executives last month, according to the Times Free Press.
On May 9, physicians on Erlanger's 11-member Medical Executive Committee sent a letter to the health system's board of trustee's chairman informing him of the no-confidence vote. The vote was directed at Erlanger President and CEO Kevin Spiegel, COO Robert Brooks, and Vice President of Operations Tanner Goodrich, several members of the Medical Executive Committee told the Times Free Press.
The committee's letter raised concerns about operational issues, including understaffing and policies that cause overcrowding in the emergency department and operating rooms.
"Patient safety issues have been raised with management since 2015," the letter states, according to the Times Free Press. "Despite over 3 years of complaints and concerns by patients and physicians, hospital management has been ineffective in addressing these issues. There exists a lack of accountability in senior management who are either unable or unwilling to effect necessary changes to insure patient safety."
In response, the board of trustees said it is confident the concerns raised by the physicians will be addressed.
"At this point, the board has complete confidence that Mr. Spiegel and the team will work with the medical staff to resolve the issues brought to the board's attention," Mike Griffin, board of trustees chairman, told the Times Free Press.
Mr. Spiegel said resolving the concerns raised by physicians is a top priority.
"Rest assured that my team and I are working very closely with medical staff leadership and all Erlanger physicians. We are committed and focused on addressing concerns promptly and effectively," he told the Times Free Press.
Access the full Times Free Press article here.
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