Hospitals' Emergency Consulting has pioneered a uniquely cost-effective system for emergency services review. We obtain and analyze considerable data before any on-site study.Contract: A contract completely describes our relationship. Included are specifics of the work to be done, confidentiality and non-disclosure provisions, and clear limitations on time and fees.Questionnaire: A comprehensive questionnaire gives us a statistical picture of the hospital and its emergency services.Telephone interviews: Confidential interviews define areas of interest and concern. Discussions with key members of the administrative, medical and nursing staffs guide more formal inquiries.Discussion with administration: Ongoing discussions with administration parallel data collection to insure timely oversight, prioritization and direction.Site surveys: If needed, a one to two-day on-site review can include direct observation of patient care, review of policies and procedures, analysis of patient flow and the physical plant, and individual and group interviews.We will furnish a comprehensive written report with recommendations. Formal or informal presentations are an option.EXAMPLES OF SPECIFIC SERVICESThe use of physician extendersReview of policies and proceduresCompliance with JCAHOCompliance with COBRA/OBRA/EMTALADemand analysisFinancial feasibility reviewFacility design, redesign and expansionWork flow: Process and design analysisStaffing, the use of ancillary personnel, and cross-training of ED staffInterdepartmental relations, communications, systems solutionsNew equipment and technologyPhysical PlantContractsThroughput analysisProduct Line Diversification: "Fast Track," chest pain center, observation, etc.Information flow and information systems managementRelations with managed care plansTriage and triage systemsNursing systems review (with an exceptionally experienced nurse associate)Billing and reimbursement review:Contract reviewMedical record reviewCredentials reviewPractice guideline related focused chart reviewOutcome analysisRisk management reviewPatient satisfaction reviewMedical staff satisfactionStaff consultations, discussions and interviewsPersonal interviews with physicians. Direct observation of patient care.Malpractice litigation reviewsRegional comparisonsMorale and team-buildingStrategic PlanningThere is no charge for an initial telephone consultation. Fee arrangements are flexible. Hourly charges are most common. Site visits are billed at a daily rate plus expenses. The contract specifies an estimated number of hours for the consultation and a maximum number of hours that can be billed without further agreement.Once the work to be done has been defined, a flat fee for the negotiated package of services is an option.THE PROCESS: HOW DO WE PROCEED?This site is intended to provide a relatively complete menu of options and a feel for our approach to the questions you may be asking about your emergency services. You will not want all of the services available. We are committed to flexibility in accommodating your needs. The next step is to call, email, or write Dr. Frumkin. We will talk about your needs and you will receive a preliminary written proposal based on initial communications. If you are then interested in pursuing a relationship, the next step is for us to settle on the general list of services you require. We would then draft a very specific contract from which we would negotiateCONTACT INFORMATION:KENNETH FRUMKIN PhD, MD, FACEPHOSPITALS' EMERGENCY CONSULTING1121 N. Bethlehem Pike Ste 60-136(757)482-9384 FAX: (757)482-9386Email: kfrumkin@HEC.netbox.com
Hospitals' Emergency Consulting was started in 1989 after observing that hospitals and Emergency Departments had no objective sources of assessment and information to aid in decision making and problem solving. Clearly the perspective of an experienced emergency physician is often crucial to understanding difficulties within an Emergency Department. Yet, being objective is hard for any hospital's existing emergency physician group. Medical staff officers from other specialties are far from up-to-date on the complex business and professional aspects of emergency medicine. Unfortunately, so many other "consultants" available are selling something else (physician services, management systems, billing services, even food services), that they bring their own agenda to any evaluation. Unlike so many others:We are not selling emergency services.Kenneth Frumkin, Ph.D., M.D., FACEP is particularly well suited to assist in emergency department problem solving. A full-time emergency physician, he is residency trained and board certified and in the full-time practice of Emergency Medicine since 1981. He has taught emergency medicine and managed Departments seeing as many as 120,000 patients yearly. Academic and professional credentials include: Thirteen years as an Examiner for the American Board of Emergency Medicine, Ph.D. in the behavioral sciences, former residency program director, the author of over two dozen publications, chapters and presentations. He is a reviewer for the journals Annals of Emergency Medicine and Academic Emergency Medicine, and a former member of the Academic Affairs and Practice Management committees of the American College of Emergency Physicians.We do provide a full range of Emergency Department consulting services: strategic planning, managed care review, acute problem solving, billing and reimbursement review, integration of physician extenders, analysis and updates of policies and procedures, staffing and provider mix, personnel, quality improvement systems and analysis, risk management, alternate delivery systems, behavioral/morale issues, physical plant, and assistance with accreditation reviews. Experts on law, accounting, emergency nursing, medical contracting, federal regulation, billing, reimbursement, recruiting, quality improvement, and risk management are associated and available.