Role of Tenet in Hospital’s Troubles Misrepresented

“Health Care’s New Breed of Whistle-Blower” [Feb. 17] seriously misrepresented Tenet Healthcare’s involvement in alleged improprieties at Midway Hospital Medical Center. The article implied that Tenet owned the hospital when allegations arose concerning improper physician directorships. It did not. However, Tenet took full responsibility for resolving the matter after it acquired the hospital’s parent company, Ornda Healthcorp, last year. (Likewise, Ornda had acquired Midway after the allegations arose.)

Tenet moved aggressively to resolve the matter and reached a resolution with the federal government only four months after acquiring Ornda. When resolving these sorts of matters, the government typically requires hospitals to implement strict compliance programs. One was not required in this case because Tenet already has one of the health-care industry’s most comprehensive compliance programs.

CHRISTI R. SULZBACH

Senior Vice President

Public Affairs

Tenet Healthcare

Dallas