“King/Drew Stripped of Accredited Standing”
February 2, 2005
Editor
Los Angeles Times
Times Mirror Square
Los Angeles, CA
Dear Editor,
Management is and has always been at the heart of the problems at King/Drew Medical Center. It’s weak, poor, and bad management that allowed for many of the lapses and failings identified by JCAHO. Though the problems identified are long-term, let’s not forget that Dr. Garthwaite has been the head of DHS for three years, and for the last year his team and he had direct and personal control of KDMC – so it is appropriate to blame him for these recent failures! Why? Because that year saw an escalation of errors, lies, mistakes and finally institutional collapse.
Contrary to Dr. Garthwaite’s assertions a competent and knowledgeable leader could’ve and would’ve made substantial and positive changes in one year’s time. Instead we were and still are saddled by a DHS director that has yet to admit that he played any part in this debacle. So long as he is allowed to remain in charge and the Supervisors reward him as they did recently with a raise then the message that is sent throughout the chain of command is that incompetence is not only acceptable, it is expected and it is rewarded! No amount of money or expertise can be expected to foster long-term changes so long as those involved in this debacle aren’t given their marching orders starting with Dr. Garthwaite.
Sincerely,
Geneviève M. Clavreul, RN. Ph.D.
