Hospital District reports positive income for 2014, receives variance for hospital construction project

The Adams County Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners discussed a number of positive updates regarding projects and financials within the district during the monthly board meeting on Feb. 26.

CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom emphasized the steady increase in improving the financials of the district, as the financial overview from 2014 revealed a total year to date income of $384,359 compared to last year’s loss of $357,304.

The district currently shows a net operating income of $137,723 and a net income of $210,880.

The current month’s revenue was over budget by $338,692 and deductions from revenue were under budget $59,253.

The Commissioners mentioned this is the highest income they have seen during their time on the board. It shows the hospital district is continuing to grow and improve under the leadership of Bostrom, Commissioner Jerry Snyder said.

The board also received word that Centers of Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) approved the project variance in regards to the installation of the sprinkler system within the hospital. Bostrom said he received verbal approval on Feb. 26, with written approval to be received in two days.

The approval of the variance allows the district to move forward with the construction project as initially planned, without having to first install the sprinkler system in order to move the facility into compliance by May 1.

Bostrom estimated the decision to allow them to postpone the project is a savings of nearly $300,000 to the district.

During the meeting, Bostrom informed the council of the hiring of Steve Wuitschick for the role of executive director of the Life Care facility. Wuitschick’s start date is expected to be March 16 and Bostrom said he has committed to at least a year with the district.

The district’s attorney Randy Stamper and Bostrom updated the council about the transferring of the license for the Life Care Center. Bostrom estimates an April 1 transfer date and the facility will then become the East Adams Rural Healthcare Care Center.

Bostrom informed the council that the district and the Ritzville Drug Company pharmacy are moving forward with the 340b program. It is a government program that provides discounted prescriptions.

Bostrom said the only downside for the drug store is needing to keep an increased supply on hand, but it should be greatly beneficial for the hospital, pharmacy and patients to save cost on medications.

During the meeting the Commissioners approved the purchase of additional NextGen software at the cost of $120,000 to resolve issues discovered in the Emergency Department.

The commissioners also unanimously approved the purchase of adding ultrasound technology to the hospital services for the cost of $106,000.

The amount includes the purchase of the equipment, as well as the training of staff member Cooper Graham.

The Board also approved a resolution to move into accordance with state laws regarding the length of terms and positions on the board.

The Commissioners unanimously approved to move all seats to at-large positions for six-year terms.

Construction projects at the hospital facility continue to progress and steadily move the district towards compliance in regards to citations.

Apollo Solutions Group Unit Manager Mike Fuentes reported the essential electrical project is expected to be complete at the end of March, fixing the largest deficiency at the hospital. During the past week, the emergency air chiller and generator were set into place, while the boiler is in the process of being installed.