The Murray County Medical Center Board met on October 27. The board consists of County Commissioners Jim Kluis and Molly Malone, along with lay members Lenore Wendorff, Bill Wassenaar, Jerry McCord. Medical appointments presented included the reappointment of Daniel Bequillard, PA to the Emergency Room staff. In further remarks in his report, Dr. Steve Snow, stated that 80% of staff, including EMS, were vaccinated for Covid.
Robyn Van Heuvelen’s financial report presented some positive figures for the month of September and the year to date with increased numbers throughout. Acute admissions, swing bed and lengths of stay are all above those of 2021. Surgery numbers are also all above those of 2021. Clinic visits are still slightly below those of last year, however the number of new patients has risen by 25. The total gross revenue for the month was $2.2M, an amount $2.2M above last year’s amount. Expenses were up slightly due to increased costs and the needs of increased patients. The bottom line Net Income was $122,348 for a total of $1,248,745, $790,000 over that of 2021. Income for September was lower due to a delay in processing claims due to the cyper attack on Sanford. October and November are expected to reflect an increase of income as those claims are paid. There $3M in Covid funds held in restricted cash with a possible $1.2M to be released as accepted expenditures. Total cash on hand which includes Covid funds is $7.8M.
Capital Expenditures presented to the Board include the purchase of two refrigerator/freezers at a total cost of $11,800 to be used for the storage of Covid vaccines and monoclonal infusions for patient treatment. The purchase of a new 2022 Ford E450 Remount and power load system to upgrade and replace an existing ambulance was approved at a cost of $140,761. The funds for the purchase are held by Murray County and paid by assessments to each city and township. There is a fund balance of $178,000.
An expenditure of $12,000 will be made to upgrade the existing badge log in system used throughout the facility. It will replace the current system, a much needed upgrade according to personnel. A new 2020 V-Plow attachment will be purchased to upgrade and replace an existing unit to increase efficiency of winter plowing.
In his report to the Board, CEO Luke Schryvers reported that staff has been offered a bonus to refer a radiology tech or a respiratory therapist to MCMC. Staff is busy with scheduled training on the new EPIC computer system. There is a potential of additional Provider Relief Funding to be used for all of 2022. Bids will be sought for an Operating Room Air Handling System to be installed in Spring 2022. Capital Improvement Grant monies have been approved for this project. Covid positive tests increased by 168 on October. The first day of zero positive tests was on Monday of the week of the meeting. Schryers commended the staff on the great comments on the customer surveys in October. The staff worked through some difficult cases and were very busy through that period. It was necessary to close admissions for one 24 hr period due to lack of nursing staff available for the number of patients already hospitalized. This is a rare occurrence according to Nursing Director Monica Van Otterloo.
Sanford representative Dale Gillogly commended MCMC for its “Grow Your Own Class”. Students from MCMC and Fulda schools become acquainted with medical careers through the class currently being taught by Monica Van Otterloo. He uses it as an example for his other facilities. Health care workers from other countries, especially the Philippines, are being recruited by Sanford to fill staff vacancies. MCMC currently employs lab techs from that country. He noted the increase in salary being offered by other facilities in an effort to fill positions. Sanford Sioux Falls has been busy with 99% capacity due to delayed treatment of health care needs.
Due to the Thanksgiving holiday the next meeting was moved to December 1st.
