The federal bankruptcy court-appointed Ombudsman assigned to make sure that Steward Healthcare’s hospitals are operating in a safe manner found some major issues on a visit to Sebastian River Medical Center.

Six pages of Susan Goodman’s 29-page report filed last week provided a detailed assessment of operations, conditions and morale at the North County hospital.

Goodman found that, in general, Sebastian River was still providing good care to patients, despite some staffing and supply challenges. In the Analysis and Next Steps portion of her report, Goodman noted that she did not observe unsafe patient care in terms of the one-on-one interactions of hospital staff with patients.

But moving on to her inspection of the facilities, Goodman found four major issues – the HVAC system not maintaining even temperatures, causing lab technicians to use portable coolers to keep the lab and specimens cool; the backup generator not functioning; two of the three boilers not operational, causing a spotty supply of hot water to the hospital; and the hospital-wide fire detection system no longer communicating with county emergency services. 

“The back-up generator was also awaiting approval and pre-payment to fix a part that impacts the automatic transfer of the power load to the emergency generator,” she said.

Given that hurricane season has arrived, Goodman said she would “remain engaged regarding repair completion given the import of immediate, automated generator power to patient safety.”

The pharmacy at the hospital is not operating 24/7, she reported, so medications must sometimes be obtained from Steward hospitals in Brevard County. The lab does not have all the supplies it needs to process tests on-site, so specimens must be sent out – sometimes out of  state – causing major delays.

And Goodman found that the hospital is down to a single food vendor, due to financial constraints, and that typical items like coffee, soft drinks and snack foods are not available.

Goodman spoke to patients and their visitors, as well as to staff throughout the hospital.

“Patients and family members did report community fears that SRMC may close because of the bankruptcy,” the report said. “Physicians reported fielding concerned patient calls in advance of outpatient surgical procedures with patients questioning Sebastian’s operational stability given the excessive weed and grass height of several feet. At report filing, the grass/weed landscaping issue was abated.”

As the Chapter 11 bankruptcy drags into its fourth month, Sebastian River employees are growing weary of the situation, and many have left to pursue other opportunities with more stability.

“Like community members, clinical staff reported feeling uncertain about the hospital’s future with remaining staff believing continued post-petition staff departures were at least partially attributed to continued bankruptcy uncertainty. The delays in the auction and sale dates were reported as fueling uncertainty concerns, including fears of hospital closure absent hospital purchase,” Goodman reported.