The Murray County Medical Center Board met in the monthly meeting on Wednesday, July 27 at 8:00 a.m. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Steve Snow reported a successful day for Urologist, Dr. Rosen, with a monthly schedule to continue. The mock survey provided staff with several simulations to complete improving skills in areas not normally encountered in the facility. Privileges were granted to Jacob Bottelberghe, PA. He sees podiatry patients on a monthly basis at MCMC as an outreach service for Dr. Mahoney who provides surgical services for those patients. Dr. Snow presented the revised medical staff by-laws for the approval of the board. It has been a lengthy process to update the language and to define the roles of active and allied health professionals.
Personnel of the firm completing the audit for the past 25 years for MCMC presented the annual audit report. Federal grants, PPP and Covid grants along with an increase of operating income contributed to a gross profit of $865,000 in 2021. During the same period expenses were kept in check with only a slight increase.
The June statistics were presented by CFO Robin Van Heuvelen showing an increase of patient days of 60 for the month, a figure 12 over the previous month. Swing beds also increased to 43, a figure 14 over the previous month.
CEO Luke Schryvers announced that MCMC was one of ten Minnesota hospitals to receive training in skills and marketing for swing bed services. Without a long term care facility in the community, swing bed care has become more necessary. A contract has been signed with an Emergency Room provider on a part time basis. This will allow a current provider a requested part time schedule. A 60 day extension of medical leave without pay for an ER provider was allowed by the Board. This is to be reviewed every 30 days. There are currently positions open for two RN’s and a respiratory therapist.
Schryvers reviewed the results of the Community Health Needs Assessment. Two items addressed as high priority were long-term nursing and affordable housing. MCMC does not have a solution for either of these concerns. Mental health, specialty care and additional providers were also concerns of those responding to the survey.
Two potential candidates to provide medical services have been contacted with a site visit planned for one of them. MCMC will be partnering with the Murray County Fair to sponsor a 5K Color Run. (Runners are splashed with paint by their fans during the course of their run).
Purchases for the month include two new stretchers for the surgery department to replace the current ones that are showing wear after fifteen years. A water purification system was purchased for the lab to replace a malfunctioning unit.
