February 25th Rooks County Health Center Board minutes
(The following article is taken from the unapproved minutes of the February 25th Rooks County Health Center Board of Directors regular meeting.)
President Jeff Van Dyke called the meeting to order at 6:04 p.m. The other board members present were Charles Allphin, Charles Comeau, Michael Oller, MD and Jon Voss. Also present were Pam Harmon, Stephanie Bjornstad, Cricket Schmidt, William Stahl, Eric Sumearll, Anthony Thomas, and June Karlin, recording secretary.
Charles Allphin made a motion to approve the January 28th, 2020 regular board minutes with one correction. Michael Oller, MD seconded the motion.
No further discussion took place. Motion carried 5-0.
June Karlin submitted the voluntary resignations for Katharine Yoler, MD, Daniel Bequillard, PA. Michael Rozenfeld, DO and Gary Wilson, DO. The Board reviewed two files with no action taken.
Karlin informed the Board the Medical-Dental Staff Task Force Committee has completed the review of the Rooks County Health Center’s Medical-Dental Staff By-Laws. The draft copy of the revised by-laws is ready to be sent out for legal review. Three proposals have been received from legal firms and a decision will be made soon regarding which proposal to accept.
During Department Communications, Anthony Thomas introduced Cricket Schmidt to the Board. Schmidt is currently in the Materials Management department and is a Certified Application Counselor. Schmidt noted she recognized the need for community assistance with enrolling in private health insurance through the Health Insurance Marketplace and assisted RCH with obtaining a grant from the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved, Inc. (KAMU). She obtained her training as part of the grant program and held four educational outreach sessions in surrounding counties. The KAMU grant is complete, but Schmidt continues to meet with individuals during private sessions and assists them with completing their health insurance applications.
Schmidt recently attended training to be able to assist patients with obtaining Presumptive Eligibility approval, which gives qualified individuals access to assistance through KanCare. Schmidt can also assist individuals with Medicare Part A, B and D enrollment. From 2019-present she has had 54 Medicare, 5 KanCare and 77 Health Insurance Marketplace appointments.
Eric Sumearll provided an update on the Communication and Development Department, Rooks County Healthcare Foundation and the Auxiliary activities.
Sumearll announced Rookstock 2020 planning is underway. Save the date cards for the event have been mailed.
Sumearll noted he is still working on grants for the Tomosynthesis Mammography machine. So far $225,000.00 has been raised.
Dane G. Hansen awarded a grant for the purchase of an OB training mannequin. A North West Kansas OB Affiliation Network has been created. and the mannequin will be utilized by the hospitals in the network for training purposes.
During Quality and Performance Improvement, Jeff Van Dyke and Stephanie Bjornstad participated in patient rounds prior to the meeting.
Bjornstad reviewed the results of the December 2019 Emergency Room, Observation, Inpatient, Outpatient and Surgical Patient satisfaction surveys with the Board.
William Stahl noted the COO report was emailed. Stahl provided an update on the status of the renovation project. The project completion date is set for May 17th, 2020.
Pam Harmon provided an update on the nursing and clinical department activities.
Harmon reported the North West Kansas OB Collaborative group has begun working on reviewing policies. The OB mannequin purchased with the Dane G Hansen grant will be used for a demonstration at HaysMed.
Harmon informed the Board, Megan Casey, RN is working on Diabetic Educator certification.
During his CEO Report, Anthony Thomas provided an update on the PERFECT 2020 initiative. The first Leadership Training session is scheduled with Jenni Reling on February 26th, 2020.
Thomas presented a Risk Assessment Tool the Risk/Security Committee developed to categorize RCH’s risks and assign each risk a threat level. As the Hospital engages in new endeavors they will be added to the tool. The Risk Assessment Tool will be used to mitigate risk by putting controls in place to minimize RCH’s exposure.
Michael Oller, MD left the meeting at 7:07 p.m.
Thomas announced he attended the recent City of Plainville Council meeting. Two contractors proposed housing developments for low income and senior living apartments. The Council approved the first phase of the projects, but has chosen to wait to proceed with additional senior housing until they see the progress on the first projects.
Thomas reported HaysMed has given 60-day termination notice on hosting the HPMIN Meditech server. IT and Administration are working on solutions, but anticipate monthly cost will increase and we may have to pay a fee for moving the system over to a new server.
Anthony Thomas presented the January 2020 Financials and Operating Statistics to the board members. The monthly gross revenue was $2,403,001.00.
Thomas announced the Business Office Manager, Nita Dunning, is retiring. The position has been posted and interviews will be held with qualified candidates.
Michael Oller, MD joined the meeting at 7:20 p.m.
Charles Allphin made a motion to approve checks 50994 thru 51278 and online bank transfers found on page 14 of the Board packet. Michael Oller, MD seconded the motion. No further discussion took place. Motion carried 5-0.
At 7:30 p.m. Charles Allphin made a motion to recess to executive session for ten (10) minutes to discuss bad debt. Jon Voss seconded the motion. Motion carried 5-0. Anthony Thomas joined the executive session. The Board returned to regular session at 7:34 p.m. Charles Comeau made a motion to approve bad debt as presented. Jon Voss seconded the motion. No further discussion took place. The motion carried 5-0.
At 7:35 p.m. Jeff Van Dyke requested a 20-minute executive session to discuss non-elected personnel. Jon Voss seconded the motion. No further discussion took place. Motion carried 5-0.
Stephanie Bjornstad and Anthony Thomas joined the executive session. The Board returned to regular session at 7:47 p.m.
At 7:48 p.m. Charles Comeau made a motion to adjourn. Jon Voss seconded the motion. No further discussion took place. Motion carried 5-0.
