The Murray County Medical Center Board met on January 26 with Molly Malone presiding at the meeting. Due to the absence of some board members the election of new officers for 2022 was postponed for another month.
Dr. Steven Snow discussed the results of the medical staff meeting that was held almost a month ago. Of primary interest was the shortage of medications for use with Omicron patients. Some patients have had to be referred to other facilities to receive Sortivamab.
Dr. Klinger has been chosen as the new chief of staff with Dr. Snow moving down to the second position. The action was taken after consultation with the MN Hospital Association and this facility’s insurance provider.
Patient numbers for the month of December were positive with seven more acute admissions than in December of 2020. Swing bed admissions ended the year at twelve over 2020’s. Surgeries showed increases in all categories as did clinic visits and scans. Clinic visits were 246 over 2020 with 129 new patients seen by providers. Financially the net income was $3.95M with $2.5M of that coming from Covid relief funds. Total cash on hand on December 31 in unrestricted cash and funded depreciation was $7.8M with an additional $593,000 in Covid funds available. Long-term debt has decreased over the year by $520,844.
Luke Schryvers, CEO, reported the hiring of Holly Mikkelson as the new Human Resources Director. The facility has been dealing with numerous staffing issues due to many different reasons. Staff members have stepped up and worked out whatever needed. Schryvers praised them for a great team effort. The position of Clinic Manager will be posted so Melanie Behrends can work with the new person prior to her advancement to Nurse Practitioner in May. Dr. Rosen, Urologist, has set up a schedule for the coming year and has already held a January outpatient clinic. The Covid vaccine requirement for the facility remains in effect. A policy has already been put in place and all staff will need to be vaccinated by February 28. The radiology department has successfully completed the ACR Mammo Accreditation process with approval given for the next three years.
Covid tests have been running 40-50% positive as only symptomatic patients are being tested at this time as there is currently a shortage of the testing supplies. The community is urged to take advantage of home testing kits and observe the isolation guidelines if testing positive.
Sanford representative Dale Gillogly complimented MCMC on its designation as an Acute Stroke Ready Hospital. Sanford has noted work stress in its employees. Incentives have become the norm in the hiring of new ones. As the numbers of employees are out sick for various reasons, Sanford has had to reduce the number of beds that can be staffed. Elective surgeries have been postponed to open beds. The number of flu cases has been heavy, the largest in five years.
