Gary J. Passama, President and Chief Executive Officer of NorthBay Healthcare System since 1987, is a 39-year veteran of health care in Northern California. He has served as faculty and speaker for programs of the American Hospital Association, Hospital Council of Northern California and the Medical Group Management Association. He is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.
From the CEO

The Big Coincidence

Everybody is going "lean" it seems.

I really had not planned to write a third blog on how "lean" methodology is being used in health care (see previous blogs "Reading My Mind" and "Overwhelmed"). However a recent opinion piece in a local newspaper with the sensationalized headline, "Scared to Death," caught my eye.

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At What Cost?

Not much noticed last week was a deal brokered by the governor to thwart an attempt by a healthcare union to qualify a ballot initiative that would have arbitrarily put a cap on hospital prices.

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Overwhelmed

Overwhelmed. That's the word I would use to describe the reaction I received from NorthBay staff last week when I shared my musings with them and with readers of this blog about applying "Lean" concepts to health care, and more specifically, to NorthBay Healthcare.

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What's Going On, Part 2

Continuing the NorthBay update I started last week, here are more noteworthy developments at NorthBay Healthcare:

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What's Going On?

Here's an update on recent endeavors at NorthBay Healthcare. From our growing trauma program in Fairfield, to expanding our cardiac cath lab and our annual nurse training, we are a busy organization.

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Reading My Mind

By now you know my feelings about so-called healthcare reform. Nor have I been shy about touting the many advances NorthBay Healthcare has brought to Solano. So, someone asked, "Is there anything else on your mind these days?"

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NorthBay and Goliath

Remember the biblical story of David and the giant Goliath? The little guy found Goliath's weak spot and before you knew it David was waving the giant's head. Not a pretty picture perhaps, but the moral was clear -- with faith, even giants can be overcome. It also helps to be good with a slingshot.

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72,000 Tail Wags


Volunteers in our two hospitals come in all shapes, sizes, genders - and species.

That I learned at the annual NorthBay Volunteer Awards Luncheon held last week. Truth be told, I knew it prior to the meeting.

Once a year NorthBay's volunteers are recognized for their unselfish contribution to the patients served by NorthBay Medical Center, NorthBay VacaValley Hospital and our hospice programs.

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Bo

Last October in this space I explained how a 5-month-old miniature Schnauzer named Greta would be keeping me company when my wife and friends enjoyed themselves at NorthBay's annual "Girls Night Out." I got more response about Greta than any blog I had ever written. Greta struck a chord. Forget about my whining about being left home alone.

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Bad Incentive

Incentives can be a good thing. Incentives can be a bad thing. It depends on the nature of the incentives.

Today the question is what kind of incentives presented to physicians and hospitals will lead to improved quality patient care?

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