Hospital works to acquire COVID-19 rapid testing machine

Margie Molitor Hospital CEO reported on their efforts to acquire a COVID-19 rapid testing machine and other activities to advance their progress during the June Hospital Board Meeting.

They are trying to decide between two different kinds or brands of rapid testing systems. There would be a three-month delay in acquiring one because they are back-ordered due to the high demand. She said that they have a rapid testing machine from the state but it is not as reliable as they would like. Anyone they rapid test they also send the sample to the State Lab. They had one test that was negative for them but positive at the state level.  

The hospital does have a contract with Powell for testing. They could do 500 tests per week with a turnaround of one day, but because of the spike in Park County, they prioritize with their local patients. Molitor said that they are working to test everybody. 

Molitor gave an update on Dr. Nicole Jamieson who will visit and tour the hospital to potentially become part of the staff. She is a surgical resident who will arrive on July 20 and stay through August 2. She is starting her fifth year of residence and will be done next summer. 

Hospital Foundation Director Dan Powell reported that the Foundation Board recently changed to meet monthly. They approved an update to their bylaws and are working to adopt their initial strategic plan. There will be a conference on July 27 for this planning. The Foundation also approved its budget.

Powell highlighted several items: Their Together We Better program had 11 employees enrolled which is 6% of their staff. Their goal is to have 50% of the employees enrolled by the end of the year. Also, their annual giving campaign is underway. They have two grant applications pending for operating funds.

They also will have a grant application put in for the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative looking for money for 3D digital mammography equipment. They are also still waiting for a decision on their grant application to the Rocky Mountain Power Foundation to help with an unexpected lab expense. 

There are some fundraising events they are looking into, such as the golf tournament. There are some board members and local citizens helping to organize this. 

Another idea they had for fundraising is to use old tiles or bricks from the old hospital remnants and engrave them and have people donate money and receive the bricks. Powell said, “It gives us a way to retain history.” They can also recognize certain staff with these items. 

Dr. Vernon Miller reported to the Hospital Board as his final day in the Chief of Staff position. There was a recent election that made this change. The board congratulated and thanked him for his service. Miller said he was glad to serve in this position. Doctor Hallie Bischoff will be the new Chief of Staff. Miller also spoke about the importance of being an education or learning institution. He is passionate about bringing up new doctors. 

Miller had a staff meeting and looked at their scores and the money coming in and how it was affected by COVID. He reported that the hospital is back to having elected surgeries which checked all the patients for COVID prior to any procedure. He said logistically it is difficult because COVID has a four to five day lag in testing for it and getting the results. Therefore they ask the patients to self-isolate in the meantime.

Miller reported that the current state’s rapid testing is fairly good for a positive result but it’s not as sensitive so there can be some false negatives. He said, “We are not sure. There’s data all over the map.” There are 30-40% false-negative results and the positive results are “pretty much accurate.” Miller wants to make things easier for the patients to enter into surgery and still be safe for them. 

Miller also reported on the difficulty with getting their trauma orders worked out in regard to the remote radiologists giving reports on images. The remote radiologist needs to make sure he is reading the documents correctly. Miller said, “The biggest hold up is getting the study to our remote radiologist so they can read it. They are obviously pretty hesitant to read something that they’re not sure if it’s the right name or not.”

Miller informed the board that the State of Wyoming is looking to do a 20% across the board reduction in their budget and the trauma program is in their sights. Miller explained there are several services or functions that the trauma program budget pays for that are essential that are not paid for by the local hospital. Miller said, “If there are some cuts, please don’t cut it altogether.” 

In the board’s financial review they passed an amended budget for the current year so that it is in accordance with the state’s guidelines. Shelly Larson said there was an increase of a net patient revenue. Total operating expenses will increase to $1,197,000 of which $524,000 is coming from the two new clinics. There were some increases in salaries and wages primarily in nursing. They also hired an additional plant director and controller.  

The hospital will finish the year with a budget at $1,888,000 versus their projected budgeting for $1,560,000. The net income of the year is $205,000. 

The board passed the amended budget.

The Board passed a change over for $68,998 to change the sprinkler system pipes from orange to black in regard to the new construction. They also passed a resolution for a State Lands and  Investment Board application for an increase to not exceed $6.3 million. They have funds specifically for COVID.