JFL Discusses Reform At V.I. Territorial Hospital Board Meeting

The Gov. Juan F. Luis Hospital’s progress in its efforts to reform the hospital in order to meet the requirements of the Medicare Hospital Conditions of Participation according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), was the main topic of discussion at a Virgin Islands’ Territorial Hospital Board meeting held Monday on St. Thomas.

Following a closed-door Executive Session, JFL CEO Dr. Kendall Griffith described the hospital’s efforts underway.

“Over the past few months, we have been making changes at JFL, and any change–any revolution–takes time and sometimes entails making unpopular decisions in order to move forward,” Griffiths said. “Every day, JFL continues to make substantive progress, and I am very confident in our ability to provide the necessary improvements to ensure a sustainability of quality patient care focused on healthy outcomes and toward ensuring a coordinated healthcare delivery system for all JFL patients.”

As part of its hospital-wide reform, Griffith said JFL is encouraging staff to team with other workers and those in the community to provide a better quality of care for patients.

“Our goals include increased oversight and accountability in all hospital departments,” he said, “improving clinical outcomes, increasing revenues, achieving cost savings, and implementing other best practices and reform measures in compliance with CMS’ Conditions of Participation.”

Griffth told Board officials he welcomes CMS’ re-survey in approximately nine months, after the hospital’s Systems Improvement Agreement with CMS has been fully realized.

The CEO took the opportunity to highlight recent community engagement activities with the Hospital’s Patient Family Council, the St. Croix Board of Realtors and the Seventh Day Adventist Church–partnerships that created fundraising in support of the hospital’s Neonatal Unit, pediatric echocardiograph equipment upgrades, and supplies for its Blood Bank.

“We are looking at all avenues for community  partnership toward coalescing support, including donations,” Griffith said.

Board officials also discussed JFL signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of the Virgin Islands with the construction of a simulation center as part of the University of the Virgin Islands School of Medicine. The medical school’s classrooms will be constructed on St. Thomas, in conjunction with Schneider Regional Medical Center.

A number of JFL executives attended the meeting, including Dr. Anthony Ricketts, who provided the Chairman’s report for the St. Croix District Governing Board.