By Mary Alice Murphy

[Author's Note: This author forgot to look at her calendar and didn't go to the meeting. Sorry! So she called the organizer, and he gave her an overview.]

According to GRMC Townhall organizer, District 4 Commissioner Eddie Flores, about 40 people showed up at the Grant County Administration Building Commission Chambers to speak about their experiences at Gila Regional Medical Center.

"The comments were surprisingly mixed," he said. "Some spoke of negative experiences, from a misdiagnosis to HIPPA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) violations or being treated in a hallway. Others spoke of the great care they had received in the hospital, from registration to doctors and nurses."

He said the HIPAA violation concerns happened often in the waiting room, where a hospital staff person would be asking for a patient's  personal information, such as their insurance, social security number, address and phone number, where everyone in the waiting room could hear what was being said. Another concern was at the registration desk for imaging and mammograms, where it was also open and people who were waiting could hear all the personal details.

"I told the Chief Executive Officer Robert Whitaker, that he should take the information as constructive criticism," Flores said. "Several people spoke about the great care they got at the Cancer Center. One lady talked about the excellent care her husband had received in the Emergency Room, all the way to a hospital bed, with great treatment and compassion at every step."

Some talked about recruitment and retention and the need for more specialists in the area, specifically a urologist, which the community used to have. Other concerns were expressed about the closing of the hospital behavioral health unit.

Flores said, as the county commission, the members are working with Hidalgo Medical Services, which manages the behavioral health buildingTu Casa, to bring more behavioral health care to the area.

Another big point brought up was the need for a veteran's addition to the hospital, as the community has a large population of veterans.

He said the townhall lasted about an hour and a half, with most people attending having a chance to speak up to 4 minutes each.

Flores said several commissioners attended, as well as hospital administrators.

"I would like to set up another one, where people can ask questions and get answers," Flores said.