Healthcare in Delaware (Dover: work, hospitals, move)

[maryCh]

I'm bad about lists too... my current style of wallpaper is list city. Hubby hates it seeing all my piles of little papers... and of course Dad says I need a list (ya-da, ya-da). Granted, Dad leaves all the paperwork, planning, etc. to mom, so what does HE know???

elizamary... I could probably help you off-board with the insurance company maze. I was an insurance agent for 20+ years before moving to DE, so I come with some semblance of knowledge (if you want to call it that!). Give me a call sometime and I will let you know and how to navigate the system. Sometimes all it takes is a referral from the primary care doc. Given Bill's condition, it probably would be covered.

Gotta run... working on my 2nd batch of red tomato jam of the day... and have pears and apples awaiting my attention. Sounds real healthy, huh? I am going to venture into the "no sugar added" recipes, so that should be healthier.

Mary

[elizamary]

elizamary... I could probably help you off-board with the insurance company maze. I was an insurance agent for 20+ years before moving to DE, so I come with some semblance of knowledge (if you want to call it that!). Give me a call sometime and I will let you know and how to navigate the system. Sometimes all it takes is a referral from the primary care doc. Given Bill's condition, it probably would be covered.>>

Okay Mary, we will talk


Gotta run... working on my 2nd batch of red tomato jam of the day... and have pears and apples awaiting my attention. Sounds real healthy, huh? I am going to venture into the "no sugar added" recipes, so that should be healthier.
>>>

Sounds yummy and aren't you the little homemaker

[rosiej]

We will be relocating to Sussex County from PA and have been reading about the healthcare situation. But does anyone have any information on the best and hassle free health insurance plans available for senior citizens in that area. Thanks

[rdlr]

Here's an announcement regarding Bay Health Kent General's cardiac unit, in Dover, dated 10/25/07

www.newszap.com

[jaba125]

A.I. duPont Hospital is fabulous. A children's hospital serving children all over the country, due to some world renowned surgeons.

[rdlr]

Regarding the above article (link posted)

Specifically, this is very good news for us in Kent County:

"According to the HealthGrades statistics, Christiana Hospital near Newark received one star for their treatment of heart attacks, while Kent General received five stars for the same treatment" and
"The hospital’s (Kent General) cardiac facility was named the best in the state for cardiac surgery by HealthGrades, sponsor of the state’s 10th annual hospital quality study"

(Both quotes from within same article)

[rdlr]

I almost forgot to post the most important! Eden Hill Medical Center will be open soon. This HUGE complex is one of the biggest things happening in Dover, in the medical field, and is located on the old Eden Hill Farm (where we enjoyed buying flowers and garden ornaments for many years). For those not knowing the location, take North street south, out of dover (which changes to Hazlettville Road). Once you cross the railroad tracks in Dover, it's on the left......HUGE! Here's the link, and you can go from there to find more information on this wonderful complex!Eden Hill

[elizamary]

Susie had a question about health care so I brought this topic back to life.
Hope it helps.

[Charley]

Originally Posted by CMTAD

This is a link to a 59 page report on the acute care hospitals in Delaware.

Hospital Research Report - UCompareHealthCare

I assembed this at the ucomparehealthcare website and I'm not sure how long it will remain assembled. It's loaded with details on services, statistics, quality measures and more. I know we really shouldn't post links, but it's probably better to post the link than the 46 pages of data. If the link does not remain and you want to send me a private message, I'll send you the link privately.

After posting the report, I did a review and posted my opinions. This is a reprint of those comments. (Note: I was in healthcare administration for almost thirty years)

I looked for anything that was statistically distinct. In other words, I looked at all the data and compared hospital to hospital, and hospital to national data provided in the report. I found that in many cases, the data from Delaware actually exceeded the national standards, which is a good thing.

The only major (in my opinion) statistical issues that I found were the following:

In the case of Postoperative Respiratory Failure, Bayhealth in Dover reports 4 episodes per 1000 cases. which puts them below the national average of 2.1 episodes per 1000 cases. (Christiana reported 1.3 cases/1000, Beebe in Lewis reported 1.1/1000 and Nanticoke in Seaford reported none.)

In the cases of Postoperative Sepsis (infection), Christina reported 14 per 1000 cases and Nanticoke reported 14.9/1000, both over the national average of 9.2/1000. Bayhealth was 6.3/1000 and Lewes was 6.8/1000.

In all the statistics provided in 59 pages, those were the only two negatives. Most other data was either equal to or better than the national standards.

Therefore, from an INPATIENT HOSPITAL viewpoint only, I'm willing to say that based on all that I have seen so far, there is no statistical difference in the patient outcomes in the Delaware hospitals as compared to the national averages. This does not address outpatient departments, emergency rooms, doctors offices, insurance companies, or anything else, which I also want to research. This speaks just to the hospitals themselves.

By the way, all negative incidents and occurences must be reported by hospitals. In New York, if a hospital fails to report and the state or the feds find out, the penalties are quite severe, including the potential loss of Medicare / Medicaid funding, which essentially closes the doors. So it is my assumption that the reporting done by the Delaware hospitals is at least as accurate as any other state.

Charley

[anniebleu]

Having lived here for more than 30 years, much of that time with growing children, I'd say this to anyone planning to move to Delaware, especially anyone with serious illnesses of any sort in their family. Be certain that the care you will need exists in, or near, your community. The last time my husband checked there were still no medical schools or true teaching hospitals in the state. This can sometimes mean that you don't get the best specialists associated with hospitals. I imagine that others have done this same sort of check--perhaps even on this thread which I don't have time to read.

Be certain that you check any potential caregiver's background, education, and board certification.

We have known of quite a few people who have moved out of the state because they had bad experiences, medically, here, or couldn't find the quality of care they needed. Please believe me that this is not unusual. Note: one family moved elsewhere, found, they believed, a terrific specialist, and had a bad experience with him. This can happen anywhere, of course, no matter how careful you are.

I think that things are improving. I'm sure they will continue to improve, but please be like some of the very thorough posters here and do your research. I hope you will find yourself (or yourselves) reassured.