Hospital board approves policies

Tuesday evening, the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees approved a number of policies, including the complaint/grievance policy.

The policy is designed to allow handling of all patient and family complaints in a timely manner, and also track and track and trend complaints and grievances so as to implement any necessary changes and process improvements under the direction of Quality Assurance, Risk Management and Patient Care committees.

Patti Jeunehomme reported on recent changes to various policies, including those concerning absences, dress code, disciplinary action, worker’s compensation, employee evaluation, performance and salary review, resignations and drug testing.

The policies undergo an annual review and were approved as presented, though it was suggested that prior to the next year’s review, the policies and any changes be presented to allow time for the board to look over them.

Also during the meeting, John Gibbel reported the fourth quarter HCAP scores for the fiscal year could’ve been better, but looking at it month to month the scores were better in June than in May. He further noted July scores are looking great, so things are off to a good start for the year.

Gibbel also reported a Patient Experience Team has been created, with several representatives of the hospital on it, and they look for ways to improve patient experience at the hospital. The team’s current focus is leader rounding, hourly rounding and interdisciplinary team rounding.

Gibbel also noted there has been promotion of the hospital’s services, such as obstetrics, to Riverton which has been “quite the market,” as at last count there were 17 births to Riverton parents at the hospital that are either scheduled or already happened.

Chief of Staff, Dr. Vernon Miller, reported there was a brief meeting, during which they recommended approval of the “easy button,” a way to rapidly call for air ambulance service out of Casper. Miller said the service is very experienced and qualified, and another advantage is they can also provide blood products.

Chief Financial Officer Shelly Larson reported the number of days in accounts receivable has not seen much decrease. She explained the hospital is still carrying a high number of Medicare claims for Red Rock Family Practice due to the change of ownership. A few claims have been submitted, she said, and they want to make sure they’re going through properly. There are about 3,800 claims waiting to be paid, but once they are paid it will reduce the number of days in accounts receivable while improving days cash on hand.

Larson also reported construction expenses are still being paid out of the operating budget, which will continue until they receive interim financing through the USDA.

Hospital CEO Margie Molitor noted a goal for the end of the fiscal year was to increase the hospital’s gross revenue by seven percent, and she was pleased to report the revenue has increased by 28 percent at the end of the year. She attributed much of the increase to the acquisition of Red Rock Family Practice as well as the hospital being able to provide services from a variety of visiting providers.

It was also noted during the meeting that board members have been doing a program called Best on Board. Molitor explained the program is training for people that are or will be on the board of directors for health care organizations. The goal is to have all board members complete the training.