The Kiowa District Hospital (KDH) Board of Directors met for their November meeting last Thursday evening. They discussed the “big difference” decreased tax revenue from the county makes to the tax supported district's finances. The board also discussed at length proposed changes to the KDH Handbook for employees.

All board members attended including Brenna May, Jeff Miller, Chantae Simpson, Jim Parker and Pat Myers. KDH CEO Margaret Grismer and CFO Janell were present along with other hospital personnel: Melissa Stroh, PA; Manor Administrator Kim Balding; Robyn Whittaker, RN; Heidi Courson, Hospital DON; Judy Schrock, president of the Friends of the Hospital and Manor Foundation; and district patron Lois Allenbach.

Decreased Tax Revenue Effect on Finances

This November meeting covered hospital and manor finances for October.

Complimenting the manor staff, Goodno said they kept their expenses under budget for October. The manor's net operating revenue was $125,160. Their total operating expenses were $134,611, which was $4818 less than budgeted.

The manor's net from operations was a loss of $9,451. The same month last year showed a net loss of $17,762.

With the addition of $5,569 mainly tax money the manor lost just $3,882 in October. A year ago the loss was $12,365 so the manor is showing some improvement.

Year to date, the manor has lost $203,394. Same time last year that loss was $359,202.

Balding said the manor resident census was 25 the day of the meeting and another resident was expected this week. She reported numerous staffing changes.

Reporting on hospital statistics and financials, Goodno said they've had three months of slow. However, outpatient visits were steady at 641 as were clinic visits at 360.

The total operating revenue was $303,334. The hospital's total operating expenses were $413,674. The net loss from operations is $110,340.

The hospital's budget for assessed district taxes was $97,222. KDH only received $58,065 of those tax dollars. Total non-operating revenue was $60,373 which made the hospital's loss $49,967 for October. Year to date, the hospital has a loss of $34,843.

So with the manor's loss of $203,394 and the hospital's loss of $34,843, YTD the combined loss puts the district in the red $238,237.

The uncollected taxes from the county were listed on the combined balance sheet as $239,997. However, that amount won't happen. Goodno confirmed KDH has a greater than $250,000 shortfall in taxes they anticipated receiving from Barber County.

At the end of October, the amount listed due from Medicare was $168,000. That amount will change, based on the amount of Medicare patients in November and December.

Cash-on-hand for the hospital and manor (all funds) is $1,326,151. Net accounts receivable totaled $385,000 at the end of October. Total assets for KDH are $10,612,313.

Discussion on Changes to Employee Handbook

Suggestions to make annual updates to the KDH employee handbook were discussed at length by the board. Grismer said the two biggest issues had to do with gel polish on fingernails and sick leave.

The concern over gel-polished fingernails was consideration of spreading germs and infection control. Board members considered all angles, mentioning that germs can be spread from endless sources. With an informal vote of 3-2, the board said they would allow caregivers to have gel nails. Grismer went on the side of healthcare safety and made the informal vote 3-3.

Other proposed changes were: increasing the employee sick bank to 240; changing maternity leave to parental leave; changing from smoke-free to tobacco free and vapor free; the number of days of paid jury duty; must-wear seat belt policy (when running errands for the hospital even in their own vehicles due to insurance coverage); tattoo policy and body piercings (what must be concealed while on duty); etc.

A revised handbook will be presented at the December meeting for board approval.

More KDH Board Business and Reports

The board approved the proposed 2017 Capital Equipment Budget and the 2017 Internal Operating Budget.

Balding told the board they have only 11 dining room chairs and 25 residents. The board approved the purchase of 15 chairs, not to exceed $1,800.

Grismer said KDH hired Philip Anton to fill the human resources/information technology (HR/IT) position. The CEO said these combined positions are costing less than what KDH was spending on MITS with SCTelcom.

Grismer said Lifeteam (the emergency medical helicopter service) has been the contracted provider with KDH for over one year. Lifeteam continues a 30 percent discount for new enrollees over the next month. The cost is $35. Lifeteam will no longer honor EagleMed subscribers.

Stroh said the clinic has a new LPN from Oklahoma she described as “wonderful.” She also said flu and Strep are in the community.

Nextgen was bought out by Harris. This means KDH will have to change to another electronic medical records provider, and they don't yet know what the cost will be for the hospital.

Medical staff appointments were approved for Dr. Paul Wilhelm, M.D.

The board approved the monthly RM/QA report following an hour-long executive session to discuss that; personnel and contract legal.

The next meeting of the KDH Board is Dec. 22 at 7 p.m.