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NRMC holds first in-person board meeting since February
In the first in-person meeting since February, the Nevada Regional Medical Center board of directors met Tuesday evening in the pavilion at the Vernon County Fairgrounds. Board Chairperson Steve Russ noted at the top of the agenda that the pavilion was chosen for the meeting due to it having more room available for social distancing. All in attendance observed social distancing guidelines and wore face masks throughout the meeting.
In his CEO Report, Steve Branstetter of both Dr. Justin Ogden and Family Nurse Practitioner Kate Erwin. Dr. Ogden will start with NRMC effective Sept. 1. He is an orthopedic surgeon from Lamar and will be coming to NRMC for two days a week — one day clinic and one day surgery.
Erwin will be working out of Primary Care Center and Now Care effective in September. With Erwin's arrival, NRMC will be looking at extending hours in the evening for both clinics and on weekends at Now Care.
Branstetter also noted the new partnership with Cottey College. NRMC has signed a Health Services agreement with Cottey College. Beginning Aug. 22, 2020 and continuing thereafter during the weekdays through May 12, 2021, the provider assigned by NRMC will make available and provide professional medical services to students of the college on Monday through Friday of each week that the residence halls are open during the academic year. The schedule is as follows: Monday-Wednesday, from 11 a.m. to noon — Sonja Albright, DNP, or Jama Bogart, DNP; Thursday, from 8:15 to 9:15 a.m. — Dr. Heather Russell with Nevada Medical Clinic; and Friday from 11 a.m. to noon — Sonja Albright, DNP, or Jama Bogart, DNP.
In ongoing projects, Branstetter noted the following:
• Medicare Accelerated payment: "We have seen a delay in the start of the repayment process that was supposed to start a few weeks ago," noted Branstetter. "Nevada Regional Medical Center elected to receive these funds which amounted to $2,744.222. We will keep everybody updated when the repayment process begins."
• The NRMC Pharmacy Renovation project has been completed. Inspections were passed on Aug. 18-19. This has been about a two year project from planning to completion.
• The call light system will be the big focus for the next six to eight weeks. "This will be a major upgrade for NRMC compared to what we have had," added Branstetter.
• COVID-19: "We have completed over 1,350 tests with about 60 positive tests," noted Branstetter. "We have had four patients in the hospital. Out of the four, none have stayed over five days and no one was placed on a ventilator. We are planning our fall/winter preparation for COVID-19. We are looking at replacing our big tent with a movable building later in the call. We continue with precautions when individuals come into our hospital. Overall, we are very pleased with how our staff, patients, and the community have adjusted to our precautions." There are currently zero hospitalizations due to COVID-19.
• Medicaid Expansion Aug. 2 election: "We are very pleased with the results of this election," stated Branstetter. "This is the start of the process and we hope to see the benefits with the state budget that starts on July 1, 2021. This will be a major boost to rural hospitals in the state."
In approval items, the board unanimously approved of the following items:
• COVID Rapid Alere Testing: Lab — Pricing agreement for a year to lock in rate per test. With an email vote of 8/10, the item was ratified. The cost is $167,184 and falls under the COVID budget.
• ENT Scope: Specialty Clinic — Old scope is beyond repair. Dr. Box visits three times a month and uses this frequently in clinic and surgeries. The cost is $22,118.
• Access Points/Licensure: IT — Replacements for wireless access points throughout the hospital. There are 43 access points. The cost is $31,136 and falls under the COVID budget.
• Solver Software: Accounting — Software database. Will allow for set-up of automatic reporting for COVID. The cost is $41,684 and falls under the COVID budget.
• CHUBB Director's & Officers & Fiduciary Liability Insurance Renewal. Renewal for Sept. 1, 2020 to Sept. 1, 2021 with an increase of 7.5 percent. The cost is $43,268 with a budget of $34,000.
• Property Insurance. Renewal through HSG and awaiting final quotes. The cost is $99,021 with a budget of $78,000.
With a roll call vote, the meeting adjourned into executive session.