MCMC: “LUKE IS DOING AN EXEMPLARY JOB. HE MEETS ALL OUR EXPECTATIONS.”

The Murray County Medical Center Board met in the monthly session on December 1st. Statistics in acute admissions, patient days and swing bed were all down slightly from the previous month. Surgical numbers were up or even with those of the previous month. All categories are showing an increase from last year. Gross Revenue for the year to date has risen $2426 over the previous year; however expenses have risen considerably especially for supplies. The Net Loss for the month was $32,673 with year to date income of $1.2M. This was has a result of the influx of Covid related grant monies. There are currently $3M in Covid monies being held in reserve. Hopefully the claims made for that amount will be allowed as expenses. Robyn Van Heuvelen along with Riley were thanked for all the effort they have put into the Covid financials. Another $380,000 is expected from Covid ARP program funding. The balance sheet shows $5M in restricted and funded depreciation cash.

CEO Luke Schryvers presented his report to the MCMC Board outlining the tour and assessment of the facility by the Jackson Physician Search group as they continue to search for a full time physician. Dr. Snow emphasized the need for another physician to keep the ratio of M.D to APP staff at the necessary ratio. The recruitment will become crucial in the event either Dr. Snow or Dr. Klingler are unable to provide support.

Schryvers would like to complete a Facility Condition Assessment by a professional group to determine the maintenance needs and upcoming facility needs over the next ten years. EPIC training continues with extensive sessions for Super users and trainers with implementation still scheduled for March. To date $379,000 has been spent on the system with the cost lowered by Sanford from earlier figures that had been provided.

No bids were received at the bid opening for the Surgical suite HVAC project. Two contractors were interested but did not yet have costs for some items. The project will be re-bid with hopes of obtaining a contractor.

Covid testing continues with 170 positive tests last month a 15% average. Pediatric vaccine clinics are held on Tuesdays and adults on Wednesday. Only three staff members remain unvaccinated following the OSHA mandate. That mandate is now on hold until the courts decide the issue. Monoclonal treatments continue to be available through outpatient nursing. For the past three weeks most of those patients have not been vaccinated, according to Patient Care Supervisor Monica Van Otterloo, RN.

Sanford representative Dale Gillogly responded to Board member Jim Kluis’ concerns regarding the buyout of Krabbenhoft’s contract for $4. 5M. Gillogly sees changes coming forth from the current management and does not foresee that as a continued practice in the organization. Sanford, like other businesses, is having issues with supplies, even fresh produce has been difficult to obtain and substitutions are being made in medical supplies. He extended a “Thank You” to Jenny Kirchner for her acknowledgments of appreciation to members of her ambulance crews.

In her report Monica Van Otterloo commented that the ER has been busy. She has realigned some staff to cover outpatient treatments so as to relieve nursing staff of some work. Nursing staff has been instructed due to liability issues to not answer phone calls for medical advice unless it is to clarify patient instructions after they leave the hospital. The Emergency Room is always open or calls can be made to 1-800 Nurse Line if help is needed.

In a Closed Session the board met to discuss the performance of CEO Luke Schryvers. At the conclusion, Board Chair Lenore Wendorff commented, “Luke is doing an exemplary job. He meets all our expectations.”