Hospital board welcomes new members

By Steve Moyer

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada Medical Center board of directors met their new members, Robin Miller and Julie Sitz, at the regular board meeting Jan. 30, in the hospital's mezzanine conference room. Before discussion began, the members reviewed a video on reducing their exposure to liability.

The new board chair is Sandy Thomas. She brought the meeting to order and said she had attended a seminar where one of the subjects was how to shorten the length of board meetings -- adding that she would attempt to do that.

NRMC president and CEO Judy Feuquay gave the board her report and said that the city council had passed the bond refunding ordinance on first reading last week and is scheduled to vote on it again at the meeting Feb. 6. She said if progress continues as it has the new bonds should be ready to be issued the last week in February.

The Information Tech-nology project is proceeding at a fast pace and five vendors responded to the hospital's request for quotations. Two of the five were eliminated from further consideration due to cost. The final three were invited to come to the hospital to demonstrate their software in February. Feuquay said the board should be able to vote on approving a vendor at the April meeting.

Feuquay announced that Dr. Dan Barnes is functioning as the ICU medical director.

"We are eager to work with Dr. Barnes on this service and welcome his expertise in the level of patient care," Feuquay said.

Feuquay also said two doctors would be visiting Nevada this month, Dr. Sean Gravely and his wife, Erika, will be coming to look for a house, Gravely will begin his practice in the Nevada Medical Clinic Aug. 1. The second physician was unnamed but is a family practice doctor.

Feuquay said the hospital heard from the Diana's group which suggested the idea of guest quarters for out-of-town families who need to stay overnight for inpatients.

"We are exploring this idea to ascertain the need and whether the concept ought to be expanded for other times when accommodations are needed," Feuquay said.

The board approved several purchases; an argon plasma electrosurgical generator, a GE maintenance agreement for radiology equipment, a contract renewal for glucose monitors, supplies and equipment and a bladder scanner.