The purchase of two new vehicles and a lease agreement for computer equipment were approved by the Greenwood County Hospital (GWCH) Board of Trustees during their routine monthly meeting on Thursday, Jan. 23.
With the current lease agreement for computer equipment completing its run, GWCH’s CEO Sandra Dickerson shared a lease agreement for 85 laptops and 75 desktops through Kansas State Bank. The Dell computers will be leased over five years for $3,200, which is $400 less than the most recent lease agreement. The agreement was approved unanimously.
The discussion then shifted to the purchase of a new vehicle as a vehicle was recently totaled in a vehicle vs. deer accident. Dickerson stated that insurance issued a check for $24,375.38 and she had located a 2025 Trailblazer at Eddie’s Chevrolet. With the purchase being cash, the dealership offered the vehicle at $22,619.40. Dickerson also noted that GWCH staff uses vehicles when attending training and meetings. In recent months, the hospital has reimbursed mileage to staff members who have used their own vehicles. Dickerson noted that in comparison, the hospital would pay less for fuel than they would for mileage reimbursement and she asked for another Trailblazer at $25,551. The board approved the purchase of both vehicles.
Financials
CFO Melody Curnutt noted that the board was in a good financial position. The financials noted that for December 2024, year-to-date, GWCH had a net income of $298,970. However, it was noted that cash on hand has seen an impact due to a large wound care claim. Typically, Medicare releases payments relatively close to the service date but, when claims are high, they automatically put a hold on the claim for review. It was noted that a wound care claim is being filed for treatments totaling $250,000 and there are currently nine claims on hold. Once approved, GWCH should receive a payment for 44% of the individual claims. Year-to-date, the hospital has received $33,091 in grant dollars and $419,201 in sales tax and other revenue.
Other Business
During the CEO report, Dickerson noted that GWCH is on track to go live with the new electronic health record (EHR) software on June 2 of this year. She stated the contracts with Oracle (formerly Cerner) and Great Plains Health Alliance have been signed and the termination letter with Athenahealth has been submitted.
Plans are underway for the Holistic Pain Management clinic to hold its first clinic day on Feb. 11, with its first procedure day on March 5. As of now, clinic days will be held on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month, with procedures being conducted on the first and third Wednesdays of each month.
Dickerson also shared the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) is gathering details on a change to payments that could impact the local hospital. She noted that there is a push at the federal level for site-neutral payments. Dickerson also stated that Medicare payments could see sequestration added back to payments. After the pandemic, 2% of payments was removed. With the reprieve from withholdings, they are looking at adding back a sequestration of 4-6%. Dickerson shared an example noting that GWCH has been receiving about $11,000 per day from Medicare. If this sequestration is implemented, Medicare would hold out $440 a day for a 4% rate, which would be comparable to $115,000 less in payments a year from Medicare.
The following was approved as presented: Nov. 26, 2024 meeting minutes; November and December 2024 treasurer’s report; Disbursements, November payroll/ benefits, $758,306.24, accounts payable, $680,850.24; December payroll/benefits, $1,047,470.06, accounts payable, $920,463.68; appointments: David DeMint, CRNA, Allied Health Consulting (AHC), Jessica Grigoreva, APRN, AHC, Timothy Hanson, CRNA, AHC, Jeremiah Jansen, MD, Radiology Consulting, Justin McCoy, MD, Radiology Consulting, and Lindsay Wells, PA, AHC; and re-appointments: Patrick Craig, DO, Radiology Consulting, Jeffrey McPherson, MD, Radiology Consulting and Lisa Warren, PA-C, Allied Health. The critical issues summit has been scheduled for March 6-7, in Wichita. Dickerson asked board members to let her know if they would like to attend.
Director of Nursing (DON) Becky Randall provided the medical staff report and the DON report. She provided utilization statistics for both November and December. During November, there were a total of 124 total patient days (collective with inpatient, swingbed and observation stays), compared to 168 in December. The following stats for 2024 were shared for outpatient services: Emergency Room 639, Outpatient Nursing 361, Howard Clinic 831, Eureka Clinic 2,729, Lab 38,135, Physical Therapy 3,184, Radiology 1,696 and Wound Care 187. Home Health made a total of 514 visits during December with a total of 1,715 for the year.
Commissioner Judd Everitt attended the meeting and shared an update with the board regarding EMS transfers. Recently, discussion was held regarding CPR certification holders driving Greenwood County Ambulances for transfers to other hospitals. Everitt noted that EMS Director Brian Mongeau received confirmation that a state statute had been updated to afford for this. See related article.
The board of trustees held three executive sessions, totaling 20 minutes, for personnel matters referencing employee performance. No action was taken following any of the sessions.
The next scheduled meeting for the GWCH Board of Trustees is Thursday, Feb. 27, at 5:30 p.m.
