The Murray County Medical Center Board met in the monthly session on July 28. The retirement of Dr. Carol Lang, DO was the first topic of conversation. Chair Lenore Wendorff expressed the gratitude of the Board for the many years of service to her patients and for her care of nursing home residents. She is being honored with a card shower and a staff appreciation event.
Chief of Medical Staff Dr. Steven Snow reported at least one positive Covid test and one case of Covid in someone who has been vaccinated. Vaccination continues to be the best action to prevent Covid. Vaccination clinics continue to be scheduled especially as those twelve and older prepare for classes this fall.
Approval was given for a credit card to be issued to CEO Luke Schryvers to cover certain expenses, e.g. meals for visits by prospective medical personnel. Board action was required by the bank to process the card.
CFO Robyn Van Heuvelen presented the statistics for June. Hospital patients and days of stay, swing bed, surgeries were all up from 2020 numbers. However comparison with 2019, the last year of “normal” activity shows a sharp decline in numbers. Clinic visits especially have shown a sharp decline with no known reason for less activity.
Cash on hand has shown an increase of $389,000 for the month of June. Another $100,000 in Covid relief has been received. That same amount has been received for the Fulda Clinic, which no longer exists, and will have to be returned. $308,000 in bad debts have been cleared and sent to a collection agent after all contacts have failed to bring payment to the accounts. Total revenue fall below budget by $170,000 balanced out with a decrease in expenses of $65,000. Cost of supplies have continued to rise and are now $200,000 over budget. The cost of a new JD lawn tractor of $14,750 was paid by the Hospital Foundation with Thank You to that organization.
CEO Luke Schryvers reported that the insurance provider has reviewed processes with no problems noted. A Compliance Specialist and a full time maintenance person are still being sought. An on site visit is planned for August 6 with a possible medical provider. That person will be spending several days in the area to get a feel for life here. 70% of the medical center staff have now received the Covid vaccination.
Sanford representative Dale Gillogly reported that the S.A.F.E. program for elimination of errs and harm to patients has been implemented at other sites. Due to the extra activity needed at MCMC to implement the new EPOC computer system it will not be introduced at this time. He reported a shortage of medical staff as an industry wide problem. Cash incentives have become a norm to draw new employees.
The meeting for September will be moved one week to September 29 to accommodate Mr. Schryvers schedule. The August meeting will remain on the fourth Wednesday.
