EARH meets for last time in 2018

The Board of Commissioners for the East Adams Rural Healthcare (EARH) met Thursday, December 20.

CEO Gary Bostrom reported the Hospital will be posting their charges on their webpage as of January first next year. The posting is a new requirement for the hospital.

CEO Bostrom outlined the difficulty in closing the sale of the former nursing home. The property is partially in Adams County; the remainder being within the City of Ritzville. The projected buyer wants the entire parcel annexed to the City in order to streamline permitting and licensing requirements. EARH hired a land-use attorney to get professional help to resolve the situation, who suggested a resolution to extend the deadline for purchase in order for Hospital Board to effect an annexation to the City. Resolution 18-15 extends the 90-day feasibility period in the Purchase Agreement by another 180 days. Resolution 18-15 was approved by a unanimous vote of the Commissioners.

In response to the Washtucna facility experiencing a low volume of patient visits, CEO Bostrom proposed cutting the weekly visits to two times per month. A lively discussion pointed out that some patients may lose the option to go to Washtucna to shorten their waiting times for service. However it was also mentioned that Dr. Bryant was not needed for service in Washtucna at all during November. Commissioner Kragt pointed out that if the schedule were changed, it would be important to very clearly publicly explain why the adjustment was made. Having considered various effects, the Commissioners did agree to reduce Washtucna clinic opening to every other week.

CEO Bostrom passed along some very good news: a former orthopedic doctor, who had previously worked here, may begin a program with EARH for one day a month. Lincoln County hospital will pay EARH for the room rental. EARH will benefit in a number of ways: joint replacement would be available, and orthopedic procedures generate other needed services (e.g. x-ray) which EARH would provide and be paid. On another front, local doctors have promised to step up to cover work when Dr. Bryant steps back in May. Additionally, the Hospital has hired another Lab Tech – Andromeda Isayev.

Commissioners also had a spirited discussion concerning “concierge service” – which is simply a form of subscribed medicine, a program where individuals or families pay a fixed amount to a doctor or clinic for basic medical care and can come in at any time care is needed. Dr. Sackmann expressed that this sort of medical care is a coming alternative, and other members noted it is not dissimilar to paying an attorney a retainer for service. Speculation was whether the Hospital may be able to provide some variant of this type of medical service in the future.

Tanya Rodriguez reported on the search for a new CEO. Some 68 responses have come in, though about 20 of those have not yet gone to the website to return a specific application. Chairman Walker stated he had seen “very few” viable candidates; John Kragt responded by cautioning against “tossing aside” potential candidates who may step up as candidates are evaluated more in-depth during the vetting period.

In other business, the Commissioners addressed providing housing for providers coming from out of town to serve EARH. At this time, the Hospital has eight total beds available in three different locations. Whether or not to provide kitchen facilities generated plenty of discussions – particularly when the estimated cost of adding one could cost as much as $700,00. No decision is imminently necessary. The general consensus appeared to be to live with the current situation.

Chairman Walker reported the Washington State Nurse’s Association (WSNA) is pushing legislation in the coming session which affects employee safety. He stated that, while it is early in the game, the proposal includes annual training for every employee every year. CEO Gary Bostrom asked Commissioners to look over a Strategic Plan draft and prepare for discussion at the next meeting.

The Commission chose Board members for the coming year. Eric Walker was retained as Chair; Stacey Plummer becomes Vice-Chair. The next regular Board meeting is Thursday, January 24th at 5:30 p.m. in the EARH Conference Room (located in the basement).