Kaiser
Permanente San
Diego Medical
Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
16.0/100
Survival
Worse than
expected
Patient safety
Low
Patient volume
Medium
Level of nurse staffing
Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Number of important
technologies available
in this specialty
Low
[Maura Larkins comment:
Was Kaiser marked down
for reporting that some
x-rays are saved only on
thermal paper, and
medical reports are written
relying on thermal paper
images? See story above.]
Kaiser arbitration and
dispute resolution
Kaiser lawsuits
Permanente San
Diego Medical
Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
16.0/100
Survival
Worse than
expected
Patient safety
Low
Patient volume
Medium
Level of nurse staffing
Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Number of important
technologies available
in this specialty
Low
[Maura Larkins comment:
Was Kaiser marked down
for reporting that some
x-rays are saved only on
thermal paper, and
medical reports are written
relying on thermal paper
images? See story above.]
Kaiser arbitration and
dispute resolution
Kaiser lawsuits
US News and World Report
hospital comparisons: see
bottom of page for charts.
hospital comparisons: see
bottom of page for charts.
Scripps La
Jolla
Hospitals
and Clinics
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
24.7/100
Survival
As expected
Patient safety
Low
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Jolla
Hospitals
and Clinics
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
24.7/100
Survival
As expected
Patient safety
Low
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Johns Hopkins
Hospital
Urology Score Card
Hospital Ranking #1
U.S. News Hospital Score
100.0/100
Survival
Much better than
expected
Patient safety
Moderate (was lowest in
2010-2011)
Patient volume
Highest
Level of nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
Yes
Technologies
Number of important
technologies available in this
specialty
Highest
Hospital
Urology Score Card
Hospital Ranking #1
U.S. News Hospital Score
100.0/100
Survival
Much better than
expected
Patient safety
Moderate (was lowest in
2010-2011)
Patient volume
Highest
Level of nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
Yes
Technologies
Number of important
technologies available in this
specialty
Highest
Scripps
Mercy
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
29.2/100
Survival
Much better
than
expected
Patient safety
Medium
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Mercy
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
29.2/100
Survival
Much better
than
expected
Patient safety
Medium
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
UCSD
Urology Score Card
U.S. News
Hospital Score
32.4/100
Survival
Much better
than
expected
Patient safety
Lowest
Technologies
Number of
important
technologies
available in this
specialty
High
Urology Score Card
U.S. News
Hospital Score
32.4/100
Survival
Much better
than
expected
Patient safety
Lowest
Technologies
Number of
important
technologies
available in this
specialty
High
Sharp
Grossmont
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
20.7/100
Survival
As expected
Patient safety
Low
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Grossmont
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
20.7/100
Survival
As expected
Patient safety
Low
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Sharp
Memorial
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
25.0/100
Survival
As expected
Patient safety
Lowest
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Memorial
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
25.0/100
Survival
As expected
Patient safety
Lowest
Technologies
Number of important
technologies
available in this
specialty
Highest
Kaiser Permanente's new Garfield Specialty
Center: missing radiology reports and x-rays
saved only on thermal paper
The Garfield Specialty Center in San Diego in 2011 reveals some startling
anachronisms
Center: missing radiology reports and x-rays
saved only on thermal paper
The Garfield Specialty Center in San Diego in 2011 reveals some startling
anachronisms
UCLA
Urology Score Card
Hospital Ranking #4
U.S. News Hospital Score
79.8/100
[79.0/100 in 2010-2011]
Survival
Much better than
expected
Patient safety
Medium
Patient volume
Highest
Level of nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
Yes
Technologies
Number of important
technologies available in this
specialty
Highest
Urology Score Card
Hospital Ranking #4
U.S. News Hospital Score
79.8/100
[79.0/100 in 2010-2011]
Survival
Much better than
expected
Patient safety
Medium
Patient volume
Highest
Level of nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
Yes
Technologies
Number of important
technologies available in this
specialty
Highest
Urology score card
Kaiser Permanente
San Diego Medical
Center
2010-2011
U.S. News Hospital Score
16.0/100
Survival
Worse than
expected
Patient safety--Low
Patient volume--Medium
Level of nurse staffing
--Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital--No
Number of
important
technologies
available in this
specialty--Low
[See discussion of
x-rays preserved only
on thermal paper rather
than being digitized in
2011.]
Kaiser Permanente
San Diego Medical
Center
2010-2011
U.S. News Hospital Score
16.0/100
Survival
Worse than
expected
Patient safety--Low
Patient volume--Medium
Level of nurse staffing
--Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital--No
Number of
important
technologies
available in this
specialty--Low
[See discussion of
x-rays preserved only
on thermal paper rather
than being digitized in
2011.]
Two very odd--and oddly different--printed reports
Perhaps a clue as to why I was not given the CD of the VUCG can be found by looking
at the following written report(s):
Perhaps a clue as to why I was not given the CD of the VUCG can be found by looking
at the following written report(s):
VUCG report #2:
Another version of the report above; this one reveals a different referring doctor
and an amazing feat of time travel by Kaiser's Dr. Khaw: he co-signed a report
three days before it was written!
Another version of the report above; this one reveals a different referring doctor
and an amazing feat of time travel by Kaiser's Dr. Khaw: he co-signed a report
three days before it was written!
VCUG report #1--wrong doctor and wrong date:
Page 2 Dr. Huathin Khaw co-signed the report three days before it was written by Dr. Grimaldi. Later I found out
that the true report had been written by a completely different doctor and filed on June 16, 2011.
that the true report had been written by a completely different doctor and filed on June 16, 2011.
Page 1 of 2
What is Kaiser's stated
position on falsified
medical records?
Kaiser Permanente
Compliance
Principles of
Responsibility
Our Business Practices
Business Records and
Communications
Maintaining complete and
accurate records is essential
if we are to meet our mission
to provide quality health care.
We must never create or
change a document for the
purpose of misleading
anyone, and no relevant
information should ever
intentionally be left out,
hidden, falsified, or covered
up.
Complete and Accurate
Records
This standard applies to all business
records and communications
including member, patient, or facility
records and claims records that
pertain to internal business data;
financial and statistical information;
timesheets; expense reports; and
personnel files. Such business
records and communications are
used to make critical decisions
within Kaiser Permanente. They may
also be reported outside Kaiser
Permanente to regulators, accrediting
organizations, payers, customers, and
the public. We must comply with
federal and state regulations when
preparing and maintaining these
records and communications.
[Maura Larkins comment: actually,
Kaiser knows it can get away with
disobeyed laws regarding records.]
We must make sure that all
information we give to Kaiser
Permanente’s finance personnel,
accountants, reimbursement staff,
internal and external auditors, and
Compliance staff is accurate and
complete and fully discloses relevant
accounting, financial, and business
practices. Anyone who provides data
or information that they know or
suspect is false is subject to
discipline, up to and including
termination. [Maura Larkins
comment: this doesn't seem to apply
to Kaiser doctors.]
We must cooperate fully during internal
and external audits.
If you become aware of any weakness
in internal controls, structures, or
procedures for recording and reporting
medical information or financial and
statistical data, you must report the
matter to your supervisor, your Human
Resources representative, your
Compliance Officer, your Controller, or
the Compliance Hotline 1-888-774-
9100. [Maura Larkins comment:
actually, you should be aware you
might suffer retaliation from Kaiser if
you do this.]
No physician or employee
should ever be pressured to
make false or misleading
entries, statements, or
alterations in any business
record.
Clinical Data, Reports, and
Outcomes
Medical records and other clinical
documents are very important to
ensure safe patient care. We must
document clinical events in a clear and
precise manner to enable others to
understand the documents and to help
facilitate accurate diagnostic and
service coding, billing, cost reporting,
planning, and research.
Consistent with our dedication to the
well-being of our patients and our role
as an industry leader in advancing
health care innovation, we have an
ongoing commitment to ensure the
quality of all our services, including the
use of health care products that are
marketed as well as those under
development. Each of us has a
responsibility to immediately notify our
supervisor, Human Resources
representative, Risk Manager,
Compliance Officer, or the Compliance
Hotline 1-888-774-9100 if we become
aware of a serious or unanticipated
reaction to a health care product. A
report should be made even if there is
uncertainty of a cause and effect
relationship between the product and
the event.
[contd. below]
position on falsified
medical records?
Kaiser Permanente
Compliance
Principles of
Responsibility
Our Business Practices
Business Records and
Communications
Maintaining complete and
accurate records is essential
if we are to meet our mission
to provide quality health care.
We must never create or
change a document for the
purpose of misleading
anyone, and no relevant
information should ever
intentionally be left out,
hidden, falsified, or covered
up.
Complete and Accurate
Records
This standard applies to all business
records and communications
including member, patient, or facility
records and claims records that
pertain to internal business data;
financial and statistical information;
timesheets; expense reports; and
personnel files. Such business
records and communications are
used to make critical decisions
within Kaiser Permanente. They may
also be reported outside Kaiser
Permanente to regulators, accrediting
organizations, payers, customers, and
the public. We must comply with
federal and state regulations when
preparing and maintaining these
records and communications.
[Maura Larkins comment: actually,
Kaiser knows it can get away with
disobeyed laws regarding records.]
We must make sure that all
information we give to Kaiser
Permanente’s finance personnel,
accountants, reimbursement staff,
internal and external auditors, and
Compliance staff is accurate and
complete and fully discloses relevant
accounting, financial, and business
practices. Anyone who provides data
or information that they know or
suspect is false is subject to
discipline, up to and including
termination. [Maura Larkins
comment: this doesn't seem to apply
to Kaiser doctors.]
We must cooperate fully during internal
and external audits.
If you become aware of any weakness
in internal controls, structures, or
procedures for recording and reporting
medical information or financial and
statistical data, you must report the
matter to your supervisor, your Human
Resources representative, your
Compliance Officer, your Controller, or
the Compliance Hotline 1-888-774-
9100. [Maura Larkins comment:
actually, you should be aware you
might suffer retaliation from Kaiser if
you do this.]
No physician or employee
should ever be pressured to
make false or misleading
entries, statements, or
alterations in any business
record.
Clinical Data, Reports, and
Outcomes
Medical records and other clinical
documents are very important to
ensure safe patient care. We must
document clinical events in a clear and
precise manner to enable others to
understand the documents and to help
facilitate accurate diagnostic and
service coding, billing, cost reporting,
planning, and research.
Consistent with our dedication to the
well-being of our patients and our role
as an industry leader in advancing
health care innovation, we have an
ongoing commitment to ensure the
quality of all our services, including the
use of health care products that are
marketed as well as those under
development. Each of us has a
responsibility to immediately notify our
supervisor, Human Resources
representative, Risk Manager,
Compliance Officer, or the Compliance
Hotline 1-888-774-9100 if we become
aware of a serious or unanticipated
reaction to a health care product. A
report should be made even if there is
uncertainty of a cause and effect
relationship between the product and
the event.
[contd. below]
[contd. from above]
Document Retention and Disposal
The retention and disposal of all
organizational records (business,
financial, and medical) must be done in
accordance with:
*Applicable federal, state, and local
laws and regulations.
*Licensing and accreditation
requirements.
*The National Business Record
Retention and Disposal policy or the
applicable Permanente Medical Group
policy.
[Maura Larkins comment: Kaiser
Permanente in San Diego seems to
have major problems with the first
two requirements above for
Document Retention and Disposal.
But perhaps the "applicable
Permanente Medical Group policy" is
to alter records and/or make them
disappear, so San Diego might be in
compliance with that.
Member Services seems to be in full
support of all these shenanigans. I
have previously spoken to Nathaniel
Durrell, the director of Member
Services in San Diego. At that time
he told me his name was Raymond
Daniel David Durrell--weird, huh? I
got the impression that he is
anything but a patient advocate. I
asked to speak to him about this
matter, but he was not available.]
Records include information in any format,
including but not limited to paper, electronic,
audio, or video.
Documents requested for any government
investigation or legal proceeding or
documents relevant to an expected
government investigation or legal proceeding
must not be altered or destroyed in any
manner.
Document Retention and Disposal
The retention and disposal of all
organizational records (business,
financial, and medical) must be done in
accordance with:
*Applicable federal, state, and local
laws and regulations.
*Licensing and accreditation
requirements.
*The National Business Record
Retention and Disposal policy or the
applicable Permanente Medical Group
policy.
[Maura Larkins comment: Kaiser
Permanente in San Diego seems to
have major problems with the first
two requirements above for
Document Retention and Disposal.
But perhaps the "applicable
Permanente Medical Group policy" is
to alter records and/or make them
disappear, so San Diego might be in
compliance with that.
Member Services seems to be in full
support of all these shenanigans. I
have previously spoken to Nathaniel
Durrell, the director of Member
Services in San Diego. At that time
he told me his name was Raymond
Daniel David Durrell--weird, huh? I
got the impression that he is
anything but a patient advocate. I
asked to speak to him about this
matter, but he was not available.]
Records include information in any format,
including but not limited to paper, electronic,
audio, or video.
Documents requested for any government
investigation or legal proceeding or
documents relevant to an expected
government investigation or legal proceeding
must not be altered or destroyed in any
manner.
Kaiser Permanente
Compliance
Compliance
US News and World Report hospital rankings and score cards 2010-2011
Scores downloaded July 5, 2011
San Diego hospitals 2010-2011 in first row below
Scores downloaded July 5, 2011
San Diego hospitals 2010-2011 in first row below
How Kaiser
investigates when
patients present with
unusual symptoms
If a case doesn't fit within Kaiser's
treatment guidelines, Kaiser likes to
slap a sloppy diagnosis on it, and
declare it unimportant. Doctors are
rewarded for this behavior. But some
agencies will demand a resignation of
an employee who covers up issues he
is legally bound to investigate:
Stain From Tabloids Rubs Off on a
Cozy Scotland Yard
By DON VAN NATTA Jr.
Published: July 16, 2011
For nearly four years they lay piled in a
Scotland Yard evidence room, six
overstuffed plastic bags gathering dust and
little else.
Inside was a treasure-trove of evidence:
11,000 pages of handwritten notes listing
nearly 4,000 celebrities, politicians, sports
stars, police officials and crime victims
whose phones may have been hacked by
The News of the World, a now defunct
British tabloid newspaper.
Yet from August 2006, when the items were
seized, until the autumn of 2010, no one at
the Metropolitan Police Service, commonly
referred to as Scotland Yard, bothered to
sort through all the material and catalog
every page, said former and current senior
police officials.
During that same time, senior Scotland
Yard officials assured Parliament, judges,
lawyers, potential hacking victims, the news
media and the public that there was no
evidence of widespread hacking by the
tabloid. They steadfastly maintained that
their original inquiry, which led to the
conviction of one reporter and one private
investigator, had put an end to what they
called an isolated incident...
investigates when
patients present with
unusual symptoms
If a case doesn't fit within Kaiser's
treatment guidelines, Kaiser likes to
slap a sloppy diagnosis on it, and
declare it unimportant. Doctors are
rewarded for this behavior. But some
agencies will demand a resignation of
an employee who covers up issues he
is legally bound to investigate:
Stain From Tabloids Rubs Off on a
Cozy Scotland Yard
By DON VAN NATTA Jr.
Published: July 16, 2011
For nearly four years they lay piled in a
Scotland Yard evidence room, six
overstuffed plastic bags gathering dust and
little else.
Inside was a treasure-trove of evidence:
11,000 pages of handwritten notes listing
nearly 4,000 celebrities, politicians, sports
stars, police officials and crime victims
whose phones may have been hacked by
The News of the World, a now defunct
British tabloid newspaper.
Yet from August 2006, when the items were
seized, until the autumn of 2010, no one at
the Metropolitan Police Service, commonly
referred to as Scotland Yard, bothered to
sort through all the material and catalog
every page, said former and current senior
police officials.
During that same time, senior Scotland
Yard officials assured Parliament, judges,
lawyers, potential hacking victims, the news
media and the public that there was no
evidence of widespread hacking by the
tabloid. They steadfastly maintained that
their original inquiry, which led to the
conviction of one reporter and one private
investigator, had put an end to what they
called an isolated incident...
Kaiser
Permanente
San Diego
Medical Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
23.7/100
Survival
As expected
[Congratulations, Kaiser
Urology! This is a big
improvement from last
year, when survival was
worse than
expected (see above
for 2010-2011 results.)]
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Low [Perhaps this is low
because Kaiser reports
that some x-rays are saved
only on thermal paper, and
medical reports are written
relying on thermal paper
images? See story above.]
Permanente
San Diego
Medical Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
23.7/100
Survival
As expected
[Congratulations, Kaiser
Urology! This is a big
improvement from last
year, when survival was
worse than
expected (see above
for 2010-2011 results.)]
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Low [Perhaps this is low
because Kaiser reports
that some x-rays are saved
only on thermal paper, and
medical reports are written
relying on thermal paper
images? See story above.]
Scripps
Mercy
Urology Score
Card
U.S. News
Hospital Score
36.4/100
Survival
Much
better
than
expected
Success in
keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet
hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Highest
Mercy
Urology Score
Card
U.S. News
Hospital Score
36.4/100
Survival
Much
better
than
expected
Success in
keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet
hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Highest
UC San
Diego
Medical
Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
38.8/100
Survival
Much better
than
expected
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
High
Nurse Magnet
hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Highest
Diego
Medical
Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
38.8/100
Survival
Much better
than
expected
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
High
Nurse Magnet
hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Highest
Sharp
Grossmont
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
27.1/100
Survival
Worse than
expected
[Last year this
score was "as
expected." What
happened,
Grossmont?]
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
High
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
Yes
Advanced
technologies
Highest
Grossmont
Hospital
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
27.1/100
Survival
Worse than
expected
[Last year this
score was "as
expected." What
happened,
Grossmont?]
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
High
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
Yes
Advanced
technologies
Highest
UPDATE 2011-2012:
It appears that US News and World Report changed its method of calculating scores. All of the scores below are about 7 points higher than
the previous year's scores.
the previous year's scores.
Kaiser Permanente cases
Kaiser Permanente executives
Retaliation by Kaiser
Kaiser arbitration
Kaiser peer review
Kaiser Permanente executives
Retaliation by Kaiser
Kaiser arbitration
Kaiser peer review
San Diego
Education Report
Education Report
The future at Kaiser should be interesting
by Maura Larkins
According to Kaiser's own documentation (see response to patient grievance below), a
large series of x-rays taken at the Garfield Specialty Center ONE week
after the celebration shown in the above photo was never recorded, either
digitally or on film, except for a few images saved on thermal paper!
Kaiser says that a medical report was written based only on five thermal paper images,
rather than being written by the urologist who watched all the X-ray images as they were
produced! No X-ray film was used to record images. It would seem that Kaiser has
transported x-ray machines that other institutions began to phase out in the early 1990s
into the brand new center and is using the outdated machines on patients. This is the
explanation suggested by Assistant Area Medical Director Steven Goldberg. The truth?
Kaiser emails reveal that Kaiser wanted to prove the patient wrong. When the patient
turned out to be right, Kaiser didn't want to admit its mistake, so it covered up the X-rays.
Unfortunately, the folks at Partners in Health, Kaiser's e-newsletter, don't seem to have
been told the thermal paper story. They say something very differerent in their October
2011 newsletter: "All our X-rays and imaging tests (at Garfield Specialty Center) are digital
and become part of your electronic health record..." (see below)
by Maura Larkins
According to Kaiser's own documentation (see response to patient grievance below), a
large series of x-rays taken at the Garfield Specialty Center ONE week
after the celebration shown in the above photo was never recorded, either
digitally or on film, except for a few images saved on thermal paper!
Kaiser says that a medical report was written based only on five thermal paper images,
rather than being written by the urologist who watched all the X-ray images as they were
produced! No X-ray film was used to record images. It would seem that Kaiser has
transported x-ray machines that other institutions began to phase out in the early 1990s
into the brand new center and is using the outdated machines on patients. This is the
explanation suggested by Assistant Area Medical Director Steven Goldberg. The truth?
Kaiser emails reveal that Kaiser wanted to prove the patient wrong. When the patient
turned out to be right, Kaiser didn't want to admit its mistake, so it covered up the X-rays.
Unfortunately, the folks at Partners in Health, Kaiser's e-newsletter, don't seem to have
been told the thermal paper story. They say something very differerent in their October
2011 newsletter: "All our X-rays and imaging tests (at Garfield Specialty Center) are digital
and become part of your electronic health record..." (see below)
June 8, 2011
New Kaiser opens in Kearny Mesa, seen as future
New Kaiser opens in Kearny Mesa, seen as future
Dr. Paul Bernstein, Kaiser area medical director; Jerry Sanders,
Mayor of San Diego; Mary Ann Barnes, Kaiser senior vice president
and executive director; Jim [James G.] Malone, Kaiser medical group
administrator
Mayor of San Diego; Mary Ann Barnes, Kaiser senior vice president
and executive director; Jim [James G.] Malone, Kaiser medical group
administrator
Kaiser letter
August 3, 2011
Paragraph 3:
"Per our records I
understand that you spoke
with D. R. in the X-ray
Department on July 11,
2011 where it was
explained that the urethra
cystogram could not be
downloaded to a CD due to
it was not digitized.
Urethra cystogram was not
saved electronically and
we can provide medical
record on thermal paper.
August 3, 2011
Paragraph 3:
"Per our records I
understand that you spoke
with D. R. in the X-ray
Department on July 11,
2011 where it was
explained that the urethra
cystogram could not be
downloaded to a CD due to
it was not digitized.
Urethra cystogram was not
saved electronically and
we can provide medical
record on thermal paper.
Kaiser employee D. R. told me
that only five images were
saved from my VUCG--and she
sent them to me (see the 5
images below). Two of them
are "scout" x-rays that were
not even focused correctly. The
quality of the images was very
poor.
Then three weeks later Dr. S
gave me five images from the
same VUCG--but three of the
images are different!
So how many images are really
available? And why did the
technician tell me the results
would be digitized? In fact,
why did D. R. tell me on June
30, 2011 that the results were
available on a CD for $10?
that only five images were
saved from my VUCG--and she
sent them to me (see the 5
images below). Two of them
are "scout" x-rays that were
not even focused correctly. The
quality of the images was very
poor.
Then three weeks later Dr. S
gave me five images from the
same VUCG--but three of the
images are different!
So how many images are really
available? And why did the
technician tell me the results
would be digitized? In fact,
why did D. R. tell me on June
30, 2011 that the results were
available on a CD for $10?
I was surprised that Kaiser actually put in writing its claim that a series of x-rays
taken on June 15, 2011 was not saved on anything other than thermal paper.
See the full story with documentation here. Kaiser gave me two reports of my x-ray exam. Both of the
reports show an incorrect date for the procedure. Each report shows a different authorizing doctor.
And the report was co-signed by Dr. K three days before it was written by Dr. G! Time travel?
taken on June 15, 2011 was not saved on anything other than thermal paper.
See the full story with documentation here. Kaiser gave me two reports of my x-ray exam. Both of the
reports show an incorrect date for the procedure. Each report shows a different authorizing doctor.
And the report was co-signed by Dr. K three days before it was written by Dr. G! Time travel?
Kaiser turns a profit by
denying or delaying tests and
treatment. But how far will
Kaiser go in an attempt to
prove that a patient has no
problem that requires care?
denying or delaying tests and
treatment. But how far will
Kaiser go in an attempt to
prove that a patient has no
problem that requires care?
| > > > |
| < < < |
Who concocted the
missing x-ray/thermal
paper scam?
All the evidence points to
Urology Dept. Administrator
Yvonne Hanzen, but she clearly
has been working with the
support of David Horton
and April Moon,
Service Area Assistant
Administrators who rank
above her.
missing x-ray/thermal
paper scam?
All the evidence points to
Urology Dept. Administrator
Yvonne Hanzen, but she clearly
has been working with the
support of David Horton
and April Moon,
Service Area Assistant
Administrators who rank
above her.
The five "thermal paper" VUCG images
(mailed to patient by the Kaiser Diagnositic Imaging Department on July 5, 2011)
Kaiser Permanente claimed that these were the only images saved from the VUCG procedure.
How did Dr. Grimaldi manage to write the above report based on these five images? There is
no urethra visible at all, female or otherwise.
(mailed to patient by the Kaiser Diagnositic Imaging Department on July 5, 2011)
Kaiser Permanente claimed that these were the only images saved from the VUCG procedure.
How did Dr. Grimaldi manage to write the above report based on these five images? There is
no urethra visible at all, female or otherwise.
Kaiser tampered with medical records and created a bizarre series of paper images to hide x-rays.
Kaiser was determined to prove that the patient did not have the problem she claimed to have.
Kaiser was determined to prove that the patient did not have the problem she claimed to have.
Garfield Specialty Center
5893 Copley Dr
San Diego, CA 92111
(at Hickman Field Dr)
San Diego, CA 92111
Neighborhood: Kearny Mesa
(619) 528-5000
See map
5893 Copley Dr
San Diego, CA 92111
(at Hickman Field Dr)
San Diego, CA 92111
Neighborhood: Kearny Mesa
(619) 528-5000
See map
The Diagnositic
Imaging Department
claimed that only this
image and four others
were saved from a
long series of x-rays.
Why would anyone
print this out if he
were only going to
print out a total of five
images?
Dave Horton and
Rhianne Steins are
charge of the
Diagnostic Imaging
Department at Kaiser.
Kaiser claimed that an
official medical report
was produced by
radiologist Jay
Grimaldi five days
later based only on
these five images.
The patient had been
told during her
procedure that all the
images were digitized,
and they would be
available to any
doctor in Kaiser within
a few hours. In fact,
the digitized images
were "unavailable"
to the patient's
doctor and even to
Emergency Room
doctors.
Imaging Department
claimed that only this
image and four others
were saved from a
long series of x-rays.
Why would anyone
print this out if he
were only going to
print out a total of five
images?
Dave Horton and
Rhianne Steins are
charge of the
Diagnostic Imaging
Department at Kaiser.
Kaiser claimed that an
official medical report
was produced by
radiologist Jay
Grimaldi five days
later based only on
these five images.
The patient had been
told during her
procedure that all the
images were digitized,
and they would be
available to any
doctor in Kaiser within
a few hours. In fact,
the digitized images
were "unavailable"
to the patient's
doctor and even to
Emergency Room
doctors.
| These images show the bladder, but do not show the urethra, which was the entire purpose of taking the x-rays. |
| > > > This is an out of focus "SCOUT" image. It gives no useful information. |
| Also a "SCOUT" image. |
| No urethra here, either. Yet Dr. Grimaldi's report referred to the urethra. What did he see? |
The little image of the sun in the upper right of each image is
accompanied by numbers that indicate that brightness and contrast
have been manipulated. Was this done to hide the urethra? Is there
a problem that Kaiser doesn't want the patient to know about because
it fears the patient might ask for attention, cutting into profits?
Image Brightness/
no.: contrast
#3 36/72 9:53:53 SCOUT
#4 34/72 9:53:45 SCOUT
#9 31/47 10:05:25 VOIDING
#12 29/50 10:05:31 VOIDING
#13 28/56 10:08:36 POST-VOID
accompanied by numbers that indicate that brightness and contrast
have been manipulated. Was this done to hide the urethra? Is there
a problem that Kaiser doesn't want the patient to know about because
it fears the patient might ask for attention, cutting into profits?
Image Brightness/
no.: contrast
#3 36/72 9:53:53 SCOUT
#4 34/72 9:53:45 SCOUT
#9 31/47 10:05:25 VOIDING
#12 29/50 10:05:31 VOIDING
#13 28/56 10:08:36 POST-VOID
Can you spot the false statement?
Which is Kaiser Permanente guilty of? False advertising in statement "a" or concealing X-rays and falsifying
medical reports in statement "b"?
Answer:
Statement "a" is half true; all the X-rays and imaging tests at Garfield Specialty Center really are digital.
However, they only become part of your electronic health record if Kaiser decides to upload them to the
server, which it doesn't always do. Statement "b" is completely false.
medical reports in statement "b"?
Answer:
Statement "a" is half true; all the X-rays and imaging tests at Garfield Specialty Center really are digital.
However, they only become part of your electronic health record if Kaiser decides to upload them to the
server, which it doesn't always do. Statement "b" is completely false.
| b) "...The urethracystogram could not be downloaded to a CD due to it was not digitized. Urethra cystogram was not saved electronically and we can provide medical record on thermal paper." |
| a) "All our X-rays and imaging tests are digital and become part of your electronic health record..." |
My primary care doctor, Dr. Jae Kyo Lee, said that I was "paranoid" to think there were any
missing X-rays, or that my reports had been tampered with.
UPDATE: Dr. Lee's effort to defend fellow doctors by undermining his patient
achieved nothing for his pals. Between July 12 and September 19, 2011, Kaiser
eliminated the reports below from my records, and produced more X-rays. My doctor
refuses to discuss the issue with me. I guess he just can't admit he was wrong.
missing X-rays, or that my reports had been tampered with.
UPDATE: Dr. Lee's effort to defend fellow doctors by undermining his patient
achieved nothing for his pals. Between July 12 and September 19, 2011, Kaiser
eliminated the reports below from my records, and produced more X-rays. My doctor
refuses to discuss the issue with me. I guess he just can't admit he was wrong.
Comparing different Kaiser Permanente locations
Kaiser
Foundation
Hospital-Sunset
(Los Angeles)
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
32.7/100
Survival
Better than
expected
Success in keeping patients
safe
Superior
Patient volume
Medium
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Highest
Foundation
Hospital-Sunset
(Los Angeles)
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
32.7/100
Survival
Better than
expected
Success in keeping patients
safe
Superior
Patient volume
Medium
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Highest
Kaiser Permanente
San Diego
Medical Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
23.7/100
Survival
As expected
[This is an improvement from last
year, when survival was worse than
expected (see above for 2010-2011
results.)]
Success in keeping patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Low [Perhaps this is low because
Kaiser reports that some x-rays are
saved only on thermal paper, and
medical reports are written relying on
thermal paper images? See story
above.]
San Diego
Medical Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
23.7/100
Survival
As expected
[This is an improvement from last
year, when survival was worse than
expected (see above for 2010-2011
results.)]
Success in keeping patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Lowest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Low [Perhaps this is low because
Kaiser reports that some x-rays are
saved only on thermal paper, and
medical reports are written relying on
thermal paper images? See story
above.]
Here is the document with the false statement "b."
This document flatly contradicts the newsletter above.
This document flatly contradicts the newsletter above.
Each image is numbered as shown in the left column
below. What happened to images #1, #2, #5, #6, #7, #8,
#10 and #11?
below. What happened to images #1, #2, #5, #6, #7, #8,
#10 and #11?
"Per our records I understand that you spoke with D. R. in the X-ray Department on July 11, 2011 where it was explained that the urethra cystogram could not be downloaded to a CD due to it was not digitized. Urethra cystogram was not saved electronically and we can provide medical record on thermal paper. (See paragraph 3 below.) |
| "All our X-rays and imaging tests are digital and become part of your electronic health record..." |
Did Dr. Jay Grimaldi, who is not a urologist, write this report based only, as Kaiser claims, on the five "thermal paper" images below? Or did he see the complete set of digitized images? Or was this report written by someone else? |
_Here is the document with statement "a":
Kaiser Urology in San Diego
phone number:
1-888-694-7857
phone number:
1-888-694-7857
Kaiser
Permanente
Sacramento
[I wonder which Sacramento
hospital this patient went to!]
Nov. 16, 2011
The Kaiser urologist told me I
had testicle cancer, my testicle
had to be removed. After removal
they found no cancer and a
perfectly healthy testicle. For the
next 6 months, the pain from
surgery got progressively worse.
The urologist did not know why I
was in so much pain. Twelve
months after surgery, the chief of
the surgery department operated
again to find the trouble,
intentionally cut nerves to that
area so I wouldn't feel the pain.
Eleven months after that
operation and the pain is back. I
am no longer a Kaiser member,
so they refuse to see me. I had
none of this pain prior to their
operations.
anthony of sacramento, CA
Permanente
Sacramento
[I wonder which Sacramento
hospital this patient went to!]
Nov. 16, 2011
The Kaiser urologist told me I
had testicle cancer, my testicle
had to be removed. After removal
they found no cancer and a
perfectly healthy testicle. For the
next 6 months, the pain from
surgery got progressively worse.
The urologist did not know why I
was in so much pain. Twelve
months after surgery, the chief of
the surgery department operated
again to find the trouble,
intentionally cut nerves to that
area so I wouldn't feel the pain.
Eleven months after that
operation and the pain is back. I
am no longer a Kaiser member,
so they refuse to see me. I had
none of this pain prior to their
operations.
anthony of sacramento, CA
October 12, 2011
For over a year, Kaiser
primary care physicians
refused to order CT scans
for multiple systems.
They stated that, at my age,
the tests are not given.
I then went to an out of
network physician, who
ordered the scan, and
advance Stage III cancer
was discovered.
Kaiser doctors then sought
to deny a nationally
recognized treatment. The
urologist and the surgeon
advised doing nothing, and
to allow the cancer to
spread. I insisted on surgical
removal of the cancerous
right kidney and lymph node,
which was eventually done.
Then, the standard post
surgery treatment was
denied. Instead of ordering
blood tests and CT scans,
the oncologist refused to
order the universally
recognized
post-nephrectomy
treatments. It consists of
blood tests and CT scans.
Dr. ** said that nothing would
be done until signs of the
spreading cancer appears.
By that time the cancer
drugs would not be effective,
and the cancer has spread
throughout the body, along
with the pain that
accompanies that condition.
By that time, it will be too late.
It is bad enough to have
preventable advance stage
III plus kidney cancer,
requiring surgery and
post-surgery treatment, and
then to be told by your plan
urologist to do nothing and
letting the cancer
metastasize throughout your
body, with the pain and early
death to follow. It is bad
enough to have preventable
advance Stage III kidney
cancer and have the plan's
surgeon repeatedly urging
the patient to do nothing,
letting the cancer spread. It
is bad enough when the
surgeon delays surgery for
eight weeks, allowing the
cancer to spread from a
possible curable stage III to
an incurable stage IV when
the cancer has spread
beyond the kidney lymph
node. It is bad enough when
the post-surgery oncology
refused to conduct the
standard periodic CT scans
and blood test, using the
excuse that anyone with only
one kidney is at too great a
risk from the contrast media,
and to instead wait until the
spreading cancer produces
strong enough symptoms.
The initial refusal to conduct
medically recognized CT
scan enabled the probable
early curable stage I or II of
the kidney cancer to go into
the incurable stage III plus
condition. Then, when
surgery was finally done, the
standard tests and treatment
are being denied.
Rodney of Walnut Creek, CA
For over a year, Kaiser
primary care physicians
refused to order CT scans
for multiple systems.
They stated that, at my age,
the tests are not given.
I then went to an out of
network physician, who
ordered the scan, and
advance Stage III cancer
was discovered.
Kaiser doctors then sought
to deny a nationally
recognized treatment. The
urologist and the surgeon
advised doing nothing, and
to allow the cancer to
spread. I insisted on surgical
removal of the cancerous
right kidney and lymph node,
which was eventually done.
Then, the standard post
surgery treatment was
denied. Instead of ordering
blood tests and CT scans,
the oncologist refused to
order the universally
recognized
post-nephrectomy
treatments. It consists of
blood tests and CT scans.
Dr. ** said that nothing would
be done until signs of the
spreading cancer appears.
By that time the cancer
drugs would not be effective,
and the cancer has spread
throughout the body, along
with the pain that
accompanies that condition.
By that time, it will be too late.
It is bad enough to have
preventable advance stage
III plus kidney cancer,
requiring surgery and
post-surgery treatment, and
then to be told by your plan
urologist to do nothing and
letting the cancer
metastasize throughout your
body, with the pain and early
death to follow. It is bad
enough to have preventable
advance Stage III kidney
cancer and have the plan's
surgeon repeatedly urging
the patient to do nothing,
letting the cancer spread. It
is bad enough when the
surgeon delays surgery for
eight weeks, allowing the
cancer to spread from a
possible curable stage III to
an incurable stage IV when
the cancer has spread
beyond the kidney lymph
node. It is bad enough when
the post-surgery oncology
refused to conduct the
standard periodic CT scans
and blood test, using the
excuse that anyone with only
one kidney is at too great a
risk from the contrast media,
and to instead wait until the
spreading cancer produces
strong enough symptoms.
The initial refusal to conduct
medically recognized CT
scan enabled the probable
early curable stage I or II of
the kidney cancer to go into
the incurable stage III plus
condition. Then, when
surgery was finally done, the
standard tests and treatment
are being denied.
Rodney of Walnut Creek, CA
Kaiser Permanente
South Sacramento
Medical Center
6600 Bruceville Road
Sacramento, CA 95823-4671
(916) 688–2430
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
24.6/100
Survival
As expected
Whether patients would recommend
the hospital to friends and family:
Definitely
68%
State Average
68%
National Average
69%
Probably or definitely not
6%
Success in keeping patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Medium
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Low
South Sacramento
Medical Center
6600 Bruceville Road
Sacramento, CA 95823-4671
(916) 688–2430
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
24.6/100
Survival
As expected
Whether patients would recommend
the hospital to friends and family:
Definitely
68%
State Average
68%
National Average
69%
Probably or definitely not
6%
Success in keeping patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Medium
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Low
Kaiser Permanente
Sacramento
Medical Center
2025 Morse Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825-2115
(916) 973–5000
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
15.6/100
Survival
Much worse than
expected
Whether patients would
recommend the hospital to friends
and family:
Definitely
71%
State Average
68%
National Average
69%
Probably or definitely not
5%
Success in keeping patients
safe
Limited
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Low
Sacramento
Medical Center
2025 Morse Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95825-2115
(916) 973–5000
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital Score
15.6/100
Survival
Much worse than
expected
Whether patients would
recommend the hospital to friends
and family:
Definitely
71%
State Average
68%
National Average
69%
Probably or definitely not
5%
Success in keeping patients
safe
Limited
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Low
Note two different Sacramento locations. Also notice that patient recommendations are unreliable. Sacramento patients
prefer the hospital with much worse survival rates!
prefer the hospital with much worse survival rates!
Tri-City
Medical
Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
17.1/100
Survival
Much worse
than
expected
Success in keeping
patients safe
Limited
Patient volume
Medium
Nurse staffing
Average
Nurse Magnet
hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Medium
Medical
Center
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
17.1/100
Survival
Much worse
than
expected
Success in keeping
patients safe
Limited
Patient volume
Medium
Nurse staffing
Average
Nurse Magnet
hospital
No
Advanced
technologies
Medium
Scripps La
Jolla
Hospitals
and Clinics
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
33.8/100
Survival
Better than
expected
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
High
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet
hospital
Yes
Advanced
technologies
Highest
Jolla
Hospitals
and Clinics
Urology Score Card
U.S. News Hospital
Score
33.8/100
Survival
Better than
expected
Success in keeping
patients safe
Moderate
Patient volume
High
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet
hospital
Yes
Advanced
technologies
Highest
UCSF Medical
Center 2011-2012
Urology Score Card
Hospital Ranking #6
U.S. News Hospital Score
69.9/100
Survival
Much better than
expected
Success in keeping patients
safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Highest
Center 2011-2012
Urology Score Card
Hospital Ranking #6
U.S. News Hospital Score
69.9/100
Survival
Much better than
expected
Success in keeping patients
safe
Moderate
Patient volume
Highest
Nurse staffing
Highest
Nurse Magnet hospital
No
Advanced technologies
Highest
Top US Hospitals in urology 2011-2012