King Hospital Accreditation

On behalf of the staff at Martin Luther King Jr./Charles R. Drew Medical Center, I am writing you to express our concern regarding your Nov. 27 article (“King Hospital Passes Test but Key Problems Remain”).

The commitment of the staff of King/Drew Medical Center is unparalleled, not only in Los Angeles County, but the United States. It is because of this commitment and dedication that we were awarded three years’ accreditation by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations (JCAHO).

We face challenges similar to other hospitals located in the inner city. The challenges include limited resources for health care. However, we continue to meet the needs of our patients. Many lives have been saved because of the skills, expertise and determination of the staff.

A headline on Oct. 23 reads “Shooting: Wounded Girl Makes a ‘Miracle’ Recovery.” The patient’s life-threatening wounds are an example of the challenges we face daily. Her recovery is an example of the high quality of care provided by the staff.

As stated in Claire Spiegel’s article, “There has been dramatic improvement in many areas during the last two years.” We attribute this to support from the Department of Health Services Administration, the Board of Supervisors and the teamwork of the staff.

There are many physicians, nurses, physician assistants, medical students, social workers, technicians, paraprofessionals and other support staff at the King/Drew Medical Center who have not only struggled valiantly, but who have sacrificed greatly, worked courageously and performed above and beyond the call of duty. Many of the physicians remain at the medical center with the belief that they can make a difference.

The staff is committed to the community we serve. We are extremely proud of the medical center.

EDWARD J. RENFORD, Hospital Administrator, King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles