Hospital Decisions Counter Trends

In reading the story entitled “Two Hospitals Combine Functions to Cut Costs” in Valley Business (March 2), I noticed a reference to the closure of Panorama Community Hospital a year ago. The article referenced the trend of hospital closures in Southern California for the past five years. Not mentioned, however, is the fact that Panorama Community Hospital reopened nine months later. Panorama Community Hospital once again resumed operations Nov. 3, 1992, after having been purchased by San Fernando Community Hospital.

The significance of this initiative, I believe, is that this runs counter to the earlier reference trends. Also counter to Southern California health care trends, San Fernando Community Hospital had programs that were outgrowing its facilities which led to its need to acquire additional hospital space.

Though Panorama Community Hospital is owned by San Fernando Community Hospital, it reopened as a separate corporate entity with its own license. The two hospitals will consolidate within the next several months into one organization operating under one license and, like the Encino/Tarzana consolidation, will operate from two campuses.

We are optimistic about future success potential of San Fernando/Panorama Community Hospital because of our program focus, the development of our own HMO that will be introduced to San Fernando Valley businesses this summer and because of the personal quality services that occur more naturally in a smaller facility.

DAVID M. GUSTAFSON

Gustafson is administrator of Panorama Community Hospital, Panorama City .