Hospital Board undergoes reorganization, approves to recruit nurse practitioner

The Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners unanimously approved to recruit a PA or nurse practitioner, as well as the purchase of a new hematology analyzer. The Commissioners also voted in board members to serve for the upcoming year.

CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom explained the provider the District thought would be joining the staff changed their mind. He said the doctor was only interested in emergency room work, and did not want to work in the clinic.

Bostrom asked the Commissioners to approve recruiting for a PA or a nurse practitioner as the hospital is in need of an additional staff member.

Dr. Marty Sackmann said both positions can produce great applicants, but it will be dependent on qualifications and experience. Sackmann explained the patients need to feel comfortable being treated by a nurse, and that comes with experience of the applicant.

The benefit of a nurse practitioner is they can bring a unique nursing approach to the hospital, which will complement the existing medical staff.

Sackmann also stressed the importance of hiring an applicant who already has emergency room experience.

Bostrom explained he will have the four local providers review the applications and sit in on the interviews, as they are the individuals who know what to look for in qualifications and abilities in medical professionals.

The Board also discussed the potential party interested in purchasing the former East Adams Care Center facility. Bostrom said the party is using a different real estate agent, but has scheduled a state survey team to come and review the facility in early January.

The interested party will pay the cost of the survey, and Bostrom explained he did state the 50-beds would stay with the building if purchased.

Because the survey is being conducted through the state, Bostrom said the interested party must be looking to continue to have it as a medical facility of some kind.

At the request of the laboratory department, the Finance Committee recently approved the purchase of a hematology analyzer. The decision had to also be approved through the Board.

The analyzer will replace the current machine, which is five years old and unable to accurately process all of the necessary blood count reports.

The current machine is used about five times a day. The request is a non-budgeted replacement, but it will have cost savings because of the increased service contract rate with the current machine.

The total price of the machine, included startup supplies and first year installation and maintenance is $45,375. The expected annual savings is $5,000 per year.

In financials, Bostrom reported the hospital currently has a net income of $54,215 for the current month, and a year to date net income of $70,207. This is compared to last year’s year to date loss for the hospital of an unaudited amount of $797,972.

For the month, Bostrom explained the other operating revenue is over budget by $94,363. He explained this is due to the 340b revenue being pulled due to the reclassification based on recommendations from the auditors.

The money being pulled shows a reduction of pharmacy expenses of $97,452, but this will not affect the District’s net income, Bostrom explained.

The Board also approved the Community Health Needs Assessment, which was recently completed for the District. The information will be posted publicly, and on the hospital website in accordance with state requirements.

The document provides health facts about the District and health care service information.

The regular meeting concluded with the reorganization of the board and election of officers. Eric Walker will continue to serve as chairman, while Ross Heimbigner will serve as vice chairman.

Newly elected commissioner John Kragt will serve as the board’s secretary for the upcoming year.

The next hospital board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital conference room.