Mercy Hospital brings in interim 'leadership team'

Mercy Hospital Springfield announced in a news release Tuesday that it is bringing an interim leadership team to help lead the hospital after a critical report from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

As part of the move, Dr. Alan Scarrow — who was chosen in 2015 as president of Mercy Springfield Communities — will take on "other responsibilities for the time being," the release said.

The release says the leadership team consists of people from across the four states Mercy serves — Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma. The leadership team's objective "is supporting local leaders in their efforts to create and implement a plan of action for ensuring the highest levels of patient care and safety, as well as for the safety and wellbeing of co-workers."

The hospital made the move to bring in the leadership team "after identifying behavior that does not live up to Mercy’s standards of dignity and compassion," according to the release.

Mercy Hospital Springfield recently fired 12 employees after identifying concerns with their behavior in "highly tense situations," and a spokeswoman for the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services confirmed the state is investigating.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told the News-Leader last week that a "complaint investigation" conducted by a state agency "resulted in a determination of Immediate Jeopardy to the health and safety of patients" at the hospital and CMS threatened to terminate the agreement that allows the facility to be paid by Medicare later this month if changes are not made.

The release from Mercy also says the hospital is expanding its program for co-worker training and de-escalation techniques and abuse and neglect prevention.

Here are the members of Mercy Hospital Springfield's interim leadership team named in the release:

Jon Swope will assume executive leadership for Mercy Springfield Communities, including Mercy Hospital Springfield.

Jeff Johnston, president of Mercy’s communities in the greater St. Louis area, will serve as interim hospital chief operating officer. The release says Brent Hubbard will remain "heavily involved" and support Johnston.

Di Smalley, president of Mercy’s communities in Oklahoma and a registered nurse by training, will work closely with Dea Geujen in support of the nursing teams.

Cynthia Mercer, chief administrative officer for Mercy, will be on site to support Tanya Marion with education and co-worker relations.

Dr. Marc Gunter, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Mercy Clinic and a practicing physician, will partner with Dr. Rob Cavagnol to lend support to providers.

Dr. Keith Starke, Mercy’s chief quality officer, will work on issues related to quality and safety.

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