Hospital District Commissioners review local services

The Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners discussed the services currently provided at the facility, as well as changes coming in the near future. The Commissioners met on Sept. 28, and the Thursday evening discussion was highlighted by Ben Lindekugel of the Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts.

Lindekugel began his presentation by stating the world of healthcare is changing. A part of his role with the organization is to help people realize rural healthcare is not just urban healthcare on a smaller scale.

As the healthcare field continues to change, it becomes more evident that small, rural districts cannot survive on their own. Lindekugel said East Adams Rural Healthcare is taking steps to prevent a negative future by joining coalitions and helping to offset costs.

Lindekugel also discussed the new bill, pushed through with help from Senator Mark Schoesler, which allows firefighters and law enforcement officers to drive ambulances from emergency scenes. Those emergency services personnel would not have to become a part of the union or retirement system, one change Schoesler helped make to the bill.

The Association of Washington Public Hospital Districts is dedicated to working on transparency, providing commissioner education, offering operational support, and financial support, Lindekugel explained. The organization also has a contract with MRSC for legal services.

Lindekugel said they recently completed a strategic plan, the first in the association’s history. This will provide them with a basis for how to proceed in the future and continue to provide resources to rural hospital districts.

With only two individuals on staff, Lindekugel said he believes the association has been good stewards of the money paid by rural districts, like EARH. He stated districts need to work in a proactive arena, bring interlocal agreements to the table, but also to understand healthcare will continue to evolve and change.

Marnie Boyer provided the medical staff report, beginning with updates on AMR services.

She explained the district currently only has eight EMTs on staff, and it will not allow for the 24-hour services they will need to provide when the weather changes.

While AMR has assisted with providing services in the past few months, Boyer explained there are still limitations. She asked the Commissioners to take a proactive approach to the issue, and research the ability to share EMS services through the coalition or by joining with neighboring districts.

Gary Bostrom provided a CEO report with updates on the facility and changes within the district. Bostrom began with explaining they have finalized the contract with Apollo Solutions for work at the facility, and they were significantly under budget.

Bostrom said the annual bond reporting has also been completed, and this is a regular report the District will have to complete until the expiration of the initial 30-year bond.

For East Adams Care Center, Bostrom said there is one party inquiring about the property. The District recently met with the H.E. Gritman Senior Center staff and reviewed the previous administration building to discuss the potential of food services, if the EACC facility sells.

On Sept. 7, the Central Basin Healthcare partnership had their first meeting. Bostrom said there were representatives from almost every healthcare field in the region, and the number one priority was working together on professional staffing needs.

After financial reporting in July reported a negative, Bostrom said the District is recorded a current net income of $131,220 for the current month, and $65,975 for the year to date income. The current month’s revenue was under budget by $60,054 and deductions from revenue were under budget by $106,669.

Bostrom said the District currently has one physician interested in joining the EARH staff, but they are also continuing to look for two nurses.

The Commissioners also discusses the upcoming holiday meeting schedule. The holiday board meetings will be held on Nov. 16 and Dec. 21, both at 5:30 p.m. in the conference room.

The next District meeting is Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m.