Baptist Health Care

Physician Frequently Asked Questions

When is Baptist Hospital going to close?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care plans to complete the acquisition of West Florida Hospital by the end of the year. Although the current downtown Baptist Hospital will remain a vital outpatient facility, most inpatient services will move to the new Davis Highway campus within the first 90 days following the acquisition. Construction will occur at the facility which will allow the remaining inpatient services to move to the new campus within the first year.
Will Baptist Health Care acquire WFH? Will Baptist Health Care be able to raise the money to complete the acquisition?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care has successfully met each of the federal, legal and financial requirements needed to make the acquisition. Although we have secured bond ratings for financing, we have temporarily delayed final financing because of current instability in the national credit markets. As we wait for the market to show improvement, we continue to make all the needed preparations for a smooth transition. BHC and Hospital Corporation of America (HCA) remain committed to completing the acquisition.
What happens if Baptist Health Care does not complete the acquisition of West Florida Hospital?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care is committed to the acquisition of West Florida Hospital and plans to proceed with the transaction when the market permits.
What is the timeline for moving departments?  –  November 19, 2008
Led by our commitment to safety, quality and patient satisfaction, Baptist Health Care continues to work on plans to transition patient care services to West Florida Hospital. We anticipate that most of our acute care services will move within the first 90 days post–acquisition. Both campuses will provide emergency services while the new campus is renovated for approximately one year.

To best communicate the service and department moves, BHC has added a new feature to this dedicated expansion website, BHCexpansion.org, entitled Hard Hat News. As consolidation plans finalize, the information will be posted to this Web site. We encourage you to visit this section.
Which departments or service lines will move first?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care anticipates most acute care services will transition to the current West Florida Hospital campus within the first 90 days post-acquisition. In addition, elective cases and direct admissions will be evaluated and transition to the North campus as appropriate.

For up–to–date information regarding service line and departmental moves, please refer to the Hard Hat News section of this Web site. Consolidation plans will be posted online as part of our commitment to communicating acquisition efforts as they are finalized.
When will the ER close?  –  November 19, 2008
Following the acquisition of West Florida Hospital, we will begin to expand the emergency department at West Florida Hospital. When construction is complete, in approximately one year, all emergency services will transition to the North campus and the downtown campus emergency department will transition to an urgent care center.
Which group of hospitalists will Baptist Health Care use?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care will continue to work with our established group of hospitalists and looks forward to the West Florida Hospital hospitalists joining our health care system post–acquisition.
Will physicians be responsible for covering both hospitals for call?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care will work quickly to transition all inpatient care to one facility post–acquisition. Although the transition is planned to move quickly, inpatient units will be temporarily operational on both campuses and may need physicians to respond to call. Baptist Health Care appreciates your commitment to this acquisition and is committed to working with you to ease the transition for both your staff and your patients.

As service lines and departments move, we will continue to update you. Patient care, safety and quality continue to be our top priority and we are committed to working closely with you to ensure you are informed of departmental moves that may affect your practice. As always, we encourage you to visit this dedicated expansion Web site for timely updates.
How will this acquisition affect staffing? How will Baptist Health Care determine which employees stay?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care is committed to combining the best of both facilities. This pledge is true for guiding our efforts to combine the staffs of both Baptist and West Florida hospitals. We anticipate opportunities for talented employees throughout the entire organization regardless of whether they were employed by West Florida or Baptist Hospital. We will familiarize ourselves with the many talented employees on the West Florida Hospital staff.

We are working with West Florida Hospital leadership to identify the talents of the staff members and to develop staffing plans for each stage of the transition. We plan to interview, evaluate and extend offers to Baptist Health Care and West Florida Hospital employees best suited for post–consolidation roles. Again, our goal is to create a team that is the “best of the best.”
Will there be layoffs — if so, how many and when will they know?  –  November 19, 2008
Our No.1 priority at Baptist Health Care is patient safety and quality of care and our employee–to–patient-ratios will reflect this. Baptist Health Care acknowledges that the acquisition of West Florida Hospital will result in some duplicate positions. These positions will be evaluated with reductions as appropriate.

We are not able to articulate any specific numbers/percentages of positions, as our staffing plans are not complete at this point. While some overlap is expected with any combination of this size, we will seek to place talented employees throughout the entire organization. We will continue to be transparent and open in our communications throughout the transition.
Office space – both MOB and interim – time share type?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care and H Plex Solutions, the developer assigned to the medical office building (MOB), continue to survey physicians to understand their space requirements and determine their preference on location for the new office building. As plans finalize and consolidation efforts get underway, we will continue to seek your input, communicate with you, and be as accommodating as possible to help ease the transition. We have begun to look at options such as time share and valet parking, and will communicate finalized plans once they are available.
When will patients stop being admitted downtown?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care anticipates the complete consolidation of Baptist and West Florida hospitals’ inpatient services will occur over one year. While many of the acute care services are expected to transition to the North campus within the first 90 days post–acquisition, admissions will depend on each patient’s case and the location of the service line.
What type of equipment and supplies will we have in their specialty areas?  –  November 19, 2008
With the acquisition of West Florida Hospital, Baptist Health Care will continue to offer physicians and their patients modern facilities with access to the latest technologies and expert, quality care.
Can physicians buy bonds?  –  November 19, 2008
Baptist Health Care continues to work on determining the details related to purchasing bonds. At this point, we believe that both the community and physicians will have the opportunity to purchase the bonds issued to finance the acquisition. When we know more we will communicate available options to you.
What will happen to the current Baptist Hospital building?  –  November 19, 2008
The current Baptist Hospital will remain open until the consolidation is complete, approximately 12 months post–acquisition. Following the transition of inpatient services to the North campus, the downtown campus will become Baptist Medical Park – Downtown and will offer a full range of outpatient medical services for patients: from physician offices, urgent care, behavioral medicine, outpatient services such as diagnostic and laboratory services and physical rehabilitation.

To better understand the future needs the campus can meet, Baptist Health Care has launched a Campus Redevelopment Council. This advisory panel consists of persons intimately familiar with the local community that are dedicated to determining redevelopment strategies for the current hospital.
I have not heard much from Baptist Health Care about the acquisition of West Florida Hospital lately; what is the status of this?  –  October 8, 2008
Since receiving clearance from the Federal Trade Commission in late August, Baptist Health Care has secured bond ratings for financing and is continuing plans for the transition.

Because of current instability in the credit markets, Baptist Health Care’s financial advisors have suggested a brief delay in proceeding with the financing until things stabilize in the financial marketplace.

Meanwhile, Baptist Health Care continues the process of getting everything ready for the final financing and making all the needed preparations for a smooth transition in this major milestone in Baptist’s history. We are optimistic we will meet our original timeline for closing on West Florida Hospital before the end of this year.
What will happen to the current Baptist Hospital building?  –  October 8, 2008
The current Baptist Hospital will remain open until the consolidation is complete, approximately 12 to 18 months after the purchase.

The Campus Redevelopment Council conducted a community survey in early September and is currently reviewing the results and feedback. We want to assure our downtown family, friends and neighbors that many important and substantial services will continue.
I am interested in purchasing some of the Treasury Bonds that will be sold to pay for the planned purchase of West Florida. Is that possible?  –  October 7, 2008
We have posed this question to the investment bank that is handling the sale of the bonds to see if this would be possible in some form. We will advise once we have more information. To clarify, these bonds are not backed by the U.S. treasury, but will be issued based solely on the creditworthiness of Baptist Health Care.
What's going to happen to Sunshine Garden Cafe?  –  September 5, 2008
“Plans are for Sunshine Garden Cafe to continue serving our many downtown Pensacola customers that include the BHC employees and visitors as well as many other area businesses and individuals.” David Bookman, Sunshine Garden Cafe.
Will Baptist Medical Park 9 Mile close following the acquisition?  –  September 5, 2008
No. Since it's opening in 2000, Baptist Medical Park has served the growing communities in north Pensacola, Pace and Milton. Conveniently located at Nine Mile Road and University Parkway, the medical park offers convenient access to more than 50 dedicated physicians. Services include Imaging (MRI, CT, X-ray, Dexascans and Mammography), Physical Therapy, Cardiology, Outpatient Surgery and Walk-In Urgent Care clinic; along with a variety of outpatient medical services. Following the acquisition of West Florida Hospital, the medical park will continue to offer all of these services with plans to grow to better serve the needs of the community.
Following the acquisition, what health insurance plans will be honored?  –  August 29, 2008
Following Baptist Health Care's purchase of West Florida Hospital, expected by the end of 2008, any health insurance plan that Baptist Hospital currently accepts will be accepted at the new location upon the date of the acquisition.
Will the Ambulatory clinic remaining at the Baptist downtown campus take non–insured patients?  –  August 26, 2008
Caring for the poor and uninsured in our community regardless of ability to pay is a hallmark of the Baptist Health Care mission. That will not change with our urgent care center at the Baptist downtown campus. Our team will continue to care for patients regardless of their ability to pay. Rendering care in an emergency department is more costly than any other entry point in the health care system, and as often pointed out, it frequently is used for non-emergency situations, specifically conditions that would be better served in a primary care setting. Having urgent care services in the downtown community will allow us to provide for primary care needs more effectively, in regards to wait times, personnel and cost, than is possible in the emergency department setting.
Will there be an on–site pharmacy remaining at Baptist Medical Park Downtown?  –  August 25, 2008
We plan to maintain a pharmacy on this location to serve over 1,000 employees on this campus, patients being treated at the future urgent care center and for the patients of those physicians who will continue to practice in our Towers and surrounding offices.
Is Baptist Health Care acquiring the Medical Center Clinic as part of the West Florida Hospital purchase?  –  August 11, 2008
The Medical Center Clinic is a separate facility from West Florida Hospital and will remain independent of the Baptist Health Care acquisition of West Florida Hospital. Many of the physicians who have practices at the Medical Center Clinic already have medical staff privileges with Baptist, and we look forward to building those relationships and providing more convenient access to patients.
Since West Florida Hospital is closing, will Sacred Heart be the only obstetrics hospital to provide deliveries?  –  August 11, 2008
Baptist Hospital’s obstetrics unit currently delivers about 1,200 babies annually. Once the Mother Baby inpatient unit moves to the West Florida Hospital location, we will continue to provide obstetrics services and expect more than 1,500 deliveries annually.
How will medical staff bylaws change?  –  July 10, 2008
The current Baptist Hospital Incorporated by-laws will be in effect at both Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital if a transfer of ownership occurs. These bylaws balance system-wide and local facility governance. For nearly five years Baptist Hospital and Gulf Breeze Hospital have actually been one hospital with two distinct medical staffs treating patients on two very different campuses. The two hospitals comprise one system and the system has worked very well.

A single, system-wide medical executive committee is comprised of clinical department heads and representatives from each hospital's divisional leadership council. The system wide medical executive committee governs medical staff actions that require approval by the hospital's board of directors. However each hospital's unique divisional leadership council reviews and recommends those local practices and policies affecting the quality of care and efficiency of operations at its own facility. Quality and efficiency are the dimensions of clinical care consistently mentioned as most important to our medical staff.
How will current bylaws support the Davis Highway/University Parkway and Downtown main campuses?  –  July 10, 2008
The application of the existing medical staff bylaws for this acquisition enables us to accomplish four things in relatively short order:
  1. It effects a rapid incorporation of the West Florida Hospital medical staff into a third hospital division during the transition period when both Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital are both operating.
  2. It enables the existing medical staff leadership at West Florida to continue as its own divisional leadership council, just as Baptist and Gulf Breeze physicians do today.
  3. It provides for representation of the West Florida Hospital medical staff on the system-wide medical executive committee.
  4. It enables a melding of the Baptist and West Florida divisions once the consolidation of the two hospitals is complete.
Will physicians who are on the West Florida Hospital medical staff need to obtain separate credentialing? How will this be managed?  –  July 10, 2008
Each physician currently on the medical staff at West Florida Hospital will become a member of the new combined medical staff in an expedited fashion, immediately effective at the moment the acquisition is completed. There is no need for the current members of West Florida medical staff to apply for medical staff membership at Baptist Hospital at this time. Once Baptist and HCA are given a "thumbs-up" by regulators we will begin the expedited application process in short order.
Will physicians on the Baptist Hospital medical staff need to obtain credentials at West Florida?  –  July 10, 2008
No. At the point the ownership should transfer the West Florida facility will become part of Baptist Hospital Inc, as Gulf Breeze Hospital is today. Any existing clinical privileges a physician holds at Baptist will transfer to the West Florida facility.
How does this affect the physician groups that have separate practices at Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital? Will there be room for everyone?  –  July 7, 2008
Our medical staff primarily comprises independent physicians, and they make decisions based on what is best for them and their patients. Many physicians that currently practice at Baptist Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital have added offices at West Florida Hospital and are already practicing there. Some physician groups are already talking to each other about ways they can work together. Others will be assessing what makes the most sense for them. We have a plan to present multiple office options to physicians and they will be making their own business decisions.
What are the advantages of having two rather than three centers for acute care?  –  July 7, 2008
By aggregating volume, a higher performing team is created with improved outcomes. Also a working environment is established that enables the system to retain and recruit high level sub-specialists. This combination allows patients to remain in the market for care, alleviating the need for local residents to travel out of this market for health care.
How does the acquisition of West Florida Hospital affect the Medical Center Clinic?  –  July 3, 2008
We’re looking forward to working with the Medical Center Clinic. Although the Medical Center Clinic is located on the same campus as West Florida Hospital, they are completely separate facilities with separate staffs. We’ve heard from the leadership there that they’re excited about working with us.
When and how will you communicate with physicians at both facilities about issues that concern them?  –  June 27, 2008
All physicians are invited to attend a meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 8, 6 p.m., at New World Landing. An overview of current plans and timelines will be provided. The agenda will include:
  • Vision for the Baptist Hospital and West Florida Hospital campuses
  • Current plans for the medical staff consolidation process
  • Physician office building plans and availability
  • Potential timelines for the acquisition process
Why is Baptist Health Care acquiring West Florida Hospital?  –  June 27, 2008
This acquisition is the smart choice to maximize efficiency in the delivery of health care services to help control costs and enhance the quality of life in our community. This opportunity ensures we can continue to meet the growing health care needs of the poor and uninsured—a hallmark of Baptist Health Care’s Mission.  Baptist Health Care will continue our award-winning quality of health care service to meet the growing demand of our community by expanding to more modern facilities.
What will be the primary services at the Davis Highway location?  –  June 27, 2008
The new Baptist Hospital on Davis Highway will be a full-service hospital providing all of the major areas of care:
  • New Baptist Cancer Center in affiliation with Moffitt Cancer Institute
  • Expanded Emergency Department and LifeFlight helipad
  • Enhanced Baptist Heart & Vascular Center of Excellence
  • Expanded Baptist Neurosciences Center
  • New Parking Garage
  • New Medical Office Buildings
  • Comprehensive Baptist Rehab Hospital for neurological and orthopaedic conditions
  • Bariatric Center of Excellence
  • Labor & Delivery
  • Orthopaedic Care
How will current positions be affected by the acquisition?  –  June 27, 2008
While some overlap is expected with any combination of this size, we will seek to place talented employees throughout the entire organization. We acknowledge that the acquisition of West Florida Hospital will result in elimination of some positions. Many of these positions are duplicate positions; however, it is important to note that many of West Florida Hospital’s administrative duties that are currently being done out of our area will be brought back into the community. Significantly, with the current annual turnover rate, we anticipate attrition would cover a majority of positions that may be eliminated. Through growth and attrition Baptist Health Care typically hires more than 800 people per year. Additionally we anticipate the West Florida Hospital facilities will increase the number of job openings.

The workforce analysis will be ongoing, and we will share information with staff as soon as updates are known. Our staffing focus will be the same as it's always been: to ensure our patients that we have dedicated individuals with a passion to serve.

We ultimately anticipate an increase in the number of jobs in the community because of the construction and renovation work that will be part of this acquisition and transition. More good news is that by 2010, Baptist Health Care anticipates meeting or exceeding the number of staff currently employed at both organizations.