The Murray County Medical Center Board met on February 23 with election of officers as the first item of business. Bill Wassenaar was elected as Chair, Jim Kluis as Vice Chair and Jerry McCord as Secretary. Lenore Wendorff was reappointed as a member of the board. In his report on medical staff, Dr. Snow, commented that Brian Petersen has been reappointed to active staff.
In her financial report Robyn Van Heuvelen, reported a net income for the month of January of $45,487. The budget had been set at a loss of $87,517. January was a busy month with 17 acute admissions. This was five more than in 2021. The Emergency Room was busy with 137 patients. This was 52 over last year’s number. Clinic visits remain those of two years ago, however they did increase over 2021’s number. Cash on hand ended the month at $7.5M plus an additional $635,000 in Covid funds on hand. Coding of claims continues to lag at two months with patient receivables remaining high. A new coding specialist has been hired and with claims sent to a coding agency, this number should drop increasing income figures. Several down payments were made over the past month. EPIC hardware at $122,001, HVAC project at $24,439 and $56,304 for the new 2022 ambulance. The ambulance costs will be reimbursed through the County fund set up for that purpose.
Karen Honerman, RN, presented the Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement Plan. The MCMC Mission: Committed to compassionate and exceptional healthcare. The MCMC Vision: Engage and provide the local community with a comprehensive range of quality healthcare services. The MCMC Values: Commitment, Community, Compassion, Excellence, Healing, and Teamwork. As a part of the QAPI each department reports on a rotating schedule. Re-Admissions, falls and hand washing are monitored and reported.
In his report, CEO Luke Schryers, and his staff will be interviewing applicants for Radiology Tech and ultrasound tech. Karis Jacobson has been hired in coding and Holly Mickelson has begun duties as Human Resources Director. Doria Dorst is leaving so a Marketing Manager will need to be hired. The new EPIC system will go on line March 1st. Sanford will supply 45 people to assist staff for the first two weeks. A Community Needs Assessment will be undertaken as a service supplied by Sanford. Covid numbers while high in January have dropped considerably in the past week. Symptoms were mild in the Covid cases similar to those of a common cold.
A $750 grant provided funds to a lactation room in one of the old clinic rooms to provide a private space for staff who are breastfeeding.
In his Sanford report, Dale Gillogly, noted an unexpectedly low number of flu cases this season. The first of several residency programs is planned in the hopes of retaining students in the area. There has been an increased interest in job openings and hiring.
