Hospital approves mission and values

Monday night, the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees approved its mission, vision and core values.

According to the statements, the hospital’s mission is to partner with our community for quality health and healing. The vision includes being the hub for the development and provision of quality health services while ensuring the viability of the hospital as a valued healthcare partner in the community.

Five core values form the foundation of culture at the hospital including; ownership, being always better than yesterday, putting service first, integrity and stewardship of resources.

Among its strategies to direct its planning efforts are meeting or exceeding recognized standards for quality, aspiring to provide the highest standards of care, maintaining healthy financial performance, promoting a highly engaged and responsible workforce, and improving, expanding, adding and promoting appropriate services that are ethically and economically prudent.

In other action, the board approved moving $286,765 from the restricted fund to operations as an equity contribution for the building project. It was noted the hospital has paid over $500,000 for the project. As for the restricted fund, it was explained that it was established in 2009, and some of it was previously used for the hospital’s HVAC system. Attorney Ron Jurovich noted it was started as an attempt to fund depreciation with regard to equipment replacement, which worked for a bit before the fund was simply left restricted.

The board also approved a letter of engagement with Koerwitz, Michel, Wright and Associates for the annual audit.

Also at the meeting, John Gibbel reported improved scores for the quarter, noting in particular that in areas of cleaning and nursing scores were 100 percent for March and tracking to be at 100 percent in April. With regard to the recent Kiwanis Health Fair, Gibbel said it went well for both the hospital and Red Rock Family Practice.

Shelly Larson reported the days in accounts receivables increased in March to 60.27. Larson said the increase continues in part because of the clinics the hospital has brought on and because of delays in reimbursement from pain clinics. On the flip side, the days cash on hand went from 30 to nine. Larson noted this was due to the increased days in accounts receivables, the hospital paying construction expenses, a SLIB grant request and miscellaneous receivables.

Patti Jeunehomme reported the rolling 12 months turnover is at 20 percent and the hospital is recruiting for various positions. She also noted two nursing students have been offered positions.

Jeunehomme also reported the employee engagement survey has been sent out, and as of Monday there is a 71 percent completion rate. Employees have until the end of the month to complete it.