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CHC short of bed sheets and linens
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Posted on Nov 10 2011
The Commonwealth Health Center has run out of bed sheets and linens since last week and staff are making do with what’s available.
Hospital sources disclosed that since Nov. 3, CHC is down to their old stock of bed sheets and linens and the shortage is such that the hospital is being forced to reuse used bed sheets—using the other side—just so they could accommodate patients.
Healthcare corporation chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta and board chair Joaquin Torres acknowledged the existence of the problem yesterday, saying this as just among the many concerns now being addressed.
The two cited the hospital’s shaky financial condition as the main cause for the lack of supplies. “That shortage of bed sheets and linen is just one of the many issues and concerns that we are trying to address one at a time and if we only have the $5 million [seed money], the CEO can immediately address it,” Torres said.
Saipan Tribune learned that CHC is three months behind in its payment to Marianas Cleaners, which has been servicing the hospital for many years now. Outstanding obligation to the company was estimated at less than $100,000 for August through October. Company officials declined to be interviewed yesterday.
According to hospital staffers, patients also bring home the hospital’s bed sheets and lines after checking out, compounding the shortage.
Babauta and Torres vowed yesterday to address all issues at the hospital. Once a financial system is in place and a budget is laid out, they said the corporation can better plan for its expenditures, with medical and hospital supplies on top of everything.
