The Washington County Hospital Board of Trustees met last night. Chief Financial Officer Elaine Matzenbacher says many of the numbers from the month of November were down from the previous month, as well as what was budgeted. There were 15 admissions and there were 23 budgeted, and it is 7 less than last November. Patient days was at 1,027, which is 5 less than in October, but 50 more than what was budgeted for, as was 118 more than a year ago. Outpatient visits for November was down from the 3,000 that were anticipated at 2,629, which is also much less than the 3,266 in October, and that is 97 less than a year ago. Emergency room visits was also down to 207, which was less than the 237 anticipated and 28 fewer than the previous month. It is 5 more than November 2013. There were only 34 surgeries, 8 fewer than budgeted and 2 fewer than the previous month, while 12 fewer than last November. When looking at the year-to-date, patient days and surgeries are more than expected, while admissions, outpatient visits and emergency room visits are lower. The hospital had a loss of $73,655 in November, much more than the loss of $9,514 for October. They had planned for a profit of $14,654. Matzenbacher says health insurance claims were high, as well as employees being off and replacement workers needed, which increased payroll. Last year in November, there was a loss of $68,462. The hospital has a profit to date of $75,605, but has budgeted for a profit of just over $100,000. It had a profit of $200,000 at this time last year. The Board approved the November financial report. Matzenbacher also presented information about some mineral rights they have, which was news to them. Brehm Oil out of Mount Vernon wants the ability to drill on 10 acres of land by Route 177 and Highway 51. The hospital doesn’t own the land, but the mineral rights of what might be in the ground. She talked about the hospital’s response, as Attorney George Lackey looked over the contract with Brehm Oil and said it was fair and would not be a risk to the hospital to go ahead and sign the agreement. The Board approved of the lease agreement, which will result in approximately $27 in the next 4 to 5 years. Information Technology Officer Kim Larkin reported that they are still trying to meet Meaningful use requirements regarding the Patient Portal usage for Stage II. Currently, less than 4 percent of patients registered to use it are using it. It needs to be at 5 percent or above to meet the requirements. Larkin says they need 50 percent of those admitted to register for the portal and they are at 80 percent, but it is hard to get people to use the portal once they have left the hospital. She says most every hospital is having the same problem. Also, they are barcoding the medication. The nurse will scan a patient’s armband and scan the medication to see if it all matches up and the patient can receive the dosage. It does not give any usage information though at this time. Human Resources Officer Dave Davenport reported that they are still working on the policies regarding nepotism and complaint resolution regarding the appeal process. They will be brought back at the next meeting. Also, the Chain of Commend diagram will be put in the handbook. The annual employees’ celebration is on Friday, January 16, 2015 with the award ceremony at 11 AM and lunch at noon. Employees who have attained 40, 30, 20 and 15 years of service will be some of those honored, as well as those retired employees from the year and past Board members. The Board purchased a public address system for the meetings. In the past, some audience members have complained that they cannot hear everyone at the tables that are in a square, as some have their backs to the audience. This new system has a couple of speakers on stands that can be moved, as well as a couple of microphones on each side of the square, and there is a microphone on a stand for the public to use. Board Chairman Victor Lopez went over a meeting with Charles Braly of the Concerned Supporters of Washington County Hospital group, Nashville Mayor Ray Kolweier, Washington County Board Chairman Dave Meyer, Hospital Chief Executive Officer Nancy Newby and Lopez. Braly had requested information on individual employee salaries and it was finally shared by the hospital. The hospital did not want to release information with named employees, just salary information by positions, as they do in July. Also, it makes it difficult to recruit people to work at the hospital if everyone’s salaries are known. Braly understood this and did not take the information after looking at it. The hospital also shared the employee survey tally information, as requested. Braly said that both groups are working on good faith and want to keep communications flowing between them, as this is a move in the right direction. He asked if meeting times could be better provided, so that information will be put on the hospital website.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 15:56:59 +0000
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