Othello hospital signs resolution

OTHELLO - The Othello Community Hospital board signed a resolution Thursday agreeing not to charge patients in adverse situations.

The resolution is similar to one signed in December by the Washington State Hospital Association, Washington State Medical Association and the Washington Ambulatory Surgery Center Association boards, said Hospital Administrator Harry Geller.

Attached to the Othello resolution is a list of 25 situations considered to be adverse, such as amputating the wrong limb, leaving a foreign object in a patient after surgery, or death or serious disability resulting from a medication error.

Geller called the resolution a "no-brainer."

When a patient complains about care, the hospital typically investigates and makes a decision on handling the patient's bill, Geller said.

He said such adverse events are rare.

"The district will work to identify the cause of an adverse event, work to prevent it from happening again, and immediately work to rectify any harm caused to the patient," according to the resolution.

If an adverse situation occurs, no patient or other payer will have to give money for care directly related to the situation, according to the resolution.