Board approves outside review of Tulsa hospital

Tuesday, August 15th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

TULSA, Okla. (AP) -- The board that oversees a Tulsa psychiatric hospital voted unanimously Monday for an independent review of the hospital's programs and services. The move by the Parkside Psychiatric Hospital board came at a special meeting called to evaluate a recent Tulsa Psychiatric Center resolution that suggested the hospital vacate its site after reports of alleged mismanagement and safety concerns.

Tulsa Psychiatric Center, which owns the property Parkside uses as its central location, said Parkside had violated its operating agreement. Bill Morgan, a board member for Parkside and the Tulsa Psychiatric Center, said the psychiatric center's resolution was a reaction to long-standing reports of mismanagement. He said a lack of action in these areas by the Parkside board produced the questionable delivery of mental health services in the hospital. "We've bent over backward to help with the downsizing of Eastern State Hospital (in Vinita)," said Ken Bailey, acting board chairman. "So I can't see how you can say we aren't trying."

Bailey said Parkside felt it was "hit broadside" with the psychiatric center resolution instead of working to fix the problems as two boards. He asked Morgan whether Parkside would have received the Tulsa Psychiatric Center's resolution if it had fired top Parkside personnel. Morgan said if there had been any indications that the hospital would "fix its management problems," then things may have turned out differently. Questions about how Parkside's current management ran the hospital remain as a concern for the Tulsa Psychiatric Centerboard, Morgan said. Bailey said Parkside's board would continue to review for management problems and would work on any improvements with management. Bailey acted as chairman of the Parkside board after announcing that board president John Turner resigned last week. Turner served on the Parkside and Tulsa Psychiatric Center boards.