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Hospital Trustees Hear Update On Renovation Project Progress

David Dick, Hospital Administrator, reported an update on the progress of the remodeling project at the Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems Board of Trustees meeting last night.

Administrator Dick said the nursing staff moved patients into the Acute Care Wing on November 30, 2010. Twenty-three patients were moving from the old hospital into the new one and for the most part everything went well except for some problems with the Point of Care computer system. This will all be resolved when the system changes to the Meditech system in the coming year. Jan Kemmerer, Director of Nursing, gave a report from the nursing staff's point of view. Both Dick and Kemmerer had positive things to say about the new facility.

The gift shop became operational in December and the gifts and vending machines have all been set up in the new area. As of Monday of this week the kitchen is now entering Phase Three. The equipment has been moved from the old kitchen into the new one and the first meals will be served from the new area on Tuesday. Phase Three includes construction of the dry food storage area and the serving line; employee dining room and meeting room will be completed.

Phase Three in the hospital part includes the constructing of the nurse's locker room, a table and a shower room. The entire old 200 wing is also being connected into the new air handling system. This will modernize the heat and cooling in each constructed area. This area will be home to the chapel and five office spaces. The pharmacy will also remain in that area, Administrator Dick said.

The hospital has finalized an agreement with Salina Regional to implement Meditech software within the hospital. This system offers added stability, a wider range of use including the ability to add other areas not presently served by the current system.

Under New Business the Board voted to reelect Bridget Gasper and Mike Heller to serve on the Endowment Fund Board.

Administrator Dick plans to attend the 24th Annual Rural Health Care Leadership Conference, January 30 through February 2 in Phoenix, Arizona. If any other board member wants to go they are to let him know by next week.

MCHHS will receive a national service award called the Harold P. Freeman award that will be presented on January 11, by the American Cancer Society. The theme is "Making a Difference in the Lives of Others." The hospital was nominated by Kim Peach of the American Cancer Society and selected through a competitive process because of its commitment to our rural communities.

Susan Concannon, Director of the Mitchell County Regional Medical Foundation reported the progress of the efforts at the Foundation are moving along at a faster pace with the addition of another part time employee. Stephanie Simmons has been hired as an administrative assistant in November. She works the other half of her time with Leann Eilert in the Administration Office.

Concannon also discussed progress on the Perdue House project. The Foundation Board is looking at an overall plan that could move the office to the house by July 1, 2011.

The newest project for the Foundation is the rebirth and adoption of the New Year's Baby celebration. The Heritage Trust Fund grant was submitted on time November 1 and will be decided on February 12. This is to put on a new roof and repair the stonework on the house.

Concannon will visit with John Cyr next week to figure out how to set up tax-credits for donations made to the Foundation. After attending the Area Agency on Aging board meeting with Administrator Dick to discuss a proposed effort for the hospital to join forces to work with the public transportation grant. It was unanimously approved to join forces to work on the public transportation grant to expand and develop the public transportation system in Mitchell County. Following this meeting the foundation voted to create a governing body for the transportation system.

Years of Service Pins were awarded to Lynn Shamburg for 20 years in Acute Care; Mari Tyler 15 years in Acute Care; Jean Herman for 15 years in the Residence Care Center and Sandy Gerber, 15 years in the HIM Department.

Eldon Koepke, Chief Financial Officer, discussed a program called the "Red Flags Identity Theft Prevention Program" developed by the Federal Trade Commission. After discussion the Board voted to adopt sections 3 and 7 during the meeting and follow up on more of the program after they check out what the consequences of doing that might be. Koepke also gave financial and budget reports for the month and year to date ending November 30, 2010.

As a discussion item, Commissioner Tom Claussen, asked he Board what will happen to the meal service the hospital presently furnishes to jail prisoners after the jail population increases to perhaps 40 one day and 3 the next after the new LEC plan is implemented. Administrator Dick will look at the agreement as it stands now and see how that change would affect how much the hospital Medicare meal repayments would change if that took place. He will let Claussen and Sheriff Daugherty know if this service can continue for the best interests of the hospital and how the service could work.

An Executive Session was held to discuss Medical Staff Credentials at the close of the meeting.

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Beloit, KS 67420, USA