The Greenwood County Hospital (GWCH) Board of Trustees met July 23 for a routine monthly meeting. They approved monthly financial reports, reviewed ongoing reimbursement challenges, and discussed several initiatives.
The meeting opened with approval of the consent agenda, which included the June 25 meeting minutes, June treasurer’s report, disbursements, payroll and benefits totaling $870,757.95 and accounts payable totaling $428,787.96.
The board held a 10-minute executive session for approximately 10 minutes to discuss risk management. No action was taken following the session. Risk/Quality Director Melissa Jones reviewed the quality report, which noted improvements in patient and medication safety and several other measures being noted as “on track.” GWCH hasn’t seen a change yet in the medication dispensing- nurse overrides measure and had a “below target” trend noted for the Acute MI composite score. It was noted that only a few patients were seen that qualified for this key measure.
CFO Butch Forrest provided an overview of the financials, including the balance and profit/ loss sheets. He noted that GWCH had a successful month, with an income of $322,427. However, the fiscal year remains at a deficit of $1,596,529.
CFO Forrest explained that current Medicare payment calculations were based on the previous rates from October through May. With the interim rate letter being submitted, the new rates are expected to begin being processed in August. As a result, the hospital expects to be underpaid during June and July, as well. However, GWCH will be able to be reimbursed for the expense through the Medicare cost report next February.
The board approved the following policies: Animal Bites; Congestive Heart Failure; and Guidelines for Prevention and Control of the Spread of Multi-Drug Resistant Organisms.
During the Medical Staff Report, members heard updates from the July 21 medical staff meeting, which included an overview of the hospital’s eCare project, physician appointments and reappointments and a transfusion services update.
The board approved the appointment of Kaleb A. Todd, M.D., with Teleradiology Consulting, along with the reappointments of Michael Matchette, M.D.; Vincent Paul, M.D.; Tyler Ternes, M.D.; Nathan Dobbs, M.D.; and Andrew Topham, M.D., all with Teleradiology Consulting.
During her CEO report, Sandra Dickerson shared that during a Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP) webinar recently she learned GWCH could submit attestation forms for the EBP program. GWCH should receive an implementation payment of $200,000 for the hospital and clinics ($100,000 for GWCH and $50,000 for each affiliated clinic). The payment for reporting the data for the quarter ending Sept. 30 will not be made until November. That payment will be $100,000.
The CEO also reported several positive financial developments, including a former Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM). Following audits covering 202425, the former PBM owes GWCH $98,000. The refund is expected to be processed at the end of the month. GWCH also received $58,000 through the stoploss carrier as GWCH paid claims while waiting for the carrier to update records with how much had been paid in claims, relating to the aggregating of specific amounts for GWCH.
CEO Dickerson shared that hospital staff had been reviewing the upcoming renewal of the self-funded employee health insurance plan. She noted that after evaluating alternative options, GWCH would be staying with the current provider, Providers Care. By staying with the current provider, GWCH will see a 16.9% increase, rather than an approximate 40% increase as quoted from other networks.
A new Chronic Care Management program is scheduled to begin Aug. 1, providing remote patient monitoring services.
CEO Dickerson reported that staff held the implementation call with Avel eCare, supporting critical care consultations and inpatient nurse call coverage. The service, provided under a grant application through Great Plains Health Alliance (GPHA) and RHTP, will assist with critical issues presenting in the ER and admissions, as well as nurse call on the inpatient floor after 7 p.m. and on the weekends. The service will go live on Oct. 1.
The hospital has also applied for a nearly $1 million grant, through RHTP for emerging technology. It was also noted that CEO Dickerson hadn’t heard back on the community care worker/ food is medicine grant as of the monthly meeting.
Staff will also participate in a Cerner optimization program in which specialists will work alongside employees on-site to improve use of the hospital’s electronic health record system.
CEO Dickerson also shared that Republican Lt. Governor candidate Joe Newland recently toured the hospital and visited with staff members, some of whom shared issues they are concerned with both personally and professionally.
Director of Nursing Sonjia Lemons presented her report, including nursing updates, including census information, regulatory compliance efforts, patient satisfaction initiatives and workforce development. She noted that GWCH has hired additional PRN cer- tified nursing assistants, with hopes of “Growing Our Own,” to encourage employees to pursue nursing careers.
Patient satisfaction efforts continue through PFAC meetings, and the hospital remains on schedule for its Trauma Level IV survey, expected in September.
After multiple executive sessions related to CEO Dickerson’s annual performance evaluation, the board voted to retain Dick- erson as chief executive offi cer for another year. Board members also noted offering Dickerson a salary increase, which she declined. She expressed appreciation to the board for the opportunity to continue serving GWCH.
The next meeting of the GWCH Board of Trustees is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 27 at 5:30 p.m.
