KDH purchases equipment, a few changes in personnel titles, yes to gardening project
Foundation's Jeans and Gems – Buckles, Boots and Brisket Saturday Night, tickets available
November 7, 2018
The Kiowa District Hospital Board met for their regular monthly meeting Oct. 25 with all members present except Jim Parker. President Pat Myers called the meeting to order with members Jeff Miller, Chantae Simpson and Miranda Allen present. CEO Robert Whitaker also sat at the table as did Manor Administrator John Fonang. CFO Janell Goodno was present as were some other hospital personnel and Cohesive employees, Friends of the KDH and Manor Foundation President Judy Schrock and members of the public.
Representing the K-State Research and Extension office at the courthouse in Barber County, Robin Eubank-Callis and Walinda Arnett attended the hospital board meeting. They told of the success of a community garden in Medicine Lodge through the FFA. The women propose a garden on Kiowa's hospital grounds. The produce could be utilized by the hospital, manor and community.
Last year the community garden at Medicine Lodge made 495 pounds of produce. That was on a garden plot 40 feet by 80 feet. The garden was cared for by volunteers – individuals and community groups. None of the produce can be sold. Any produce taken out of the garden must be weighed.
The board discussed other possible locations. They voted yes to partner with K-State extension for this worthwhile community project.
CEO Whitaker Gives Update
Whitaker said they've had some moves of personnel. Heidi Courson is now clinic director instead of Director of Nursing (DON). Robyn Whitaker is the interim DON.
Whitaker gave updates from the Kansas Hospital Association regional gathering. He said they have a big push for pricing transparency. By Jan. 1 the KHA said CMS requires all hospitals to have the cost of their services on their website. Nearly everyone in the room rolled their eyes or shook their heads. The cost of services vary so greatly and depend on so many factors. Most think it will be a disaster. Whitaker said KDH will have to explain the variance in prices.
He said the KHA discussion buzzed about the election. KHA planned to endorse the democrat Laura Kelly for governor. Whitaker said that KHA supports their political action committee (PAC).
The Employee Appreciation Party was Oct. 29 at 6:30pm.
Fonang Updates on Manor
Fonang told proudly that the manor had used zero agency nursing in the last two months. He said the manor census was 24 the day of the meeting.
He said longtime maintenance director Mike Rhodes is about to retire. Fonang said hopefully Rhodes will be a consultant for a while with whoever replaces him.
The manor is about to hire a dietary manager, Fonang said.
Giving a brief Cohesive report, Chief Clinical Officer (CCO) Robin Klahr said they are conducting a mock survey to make sure all regulations are met and everything is going as it should, which it appears to be.
Foundation Fundraiser Saturday Night, Jeans and Gems
Schrock reminded the group to tell the public to pull out their boots and jeans for a night of drinks, dinner, dancing, auctions and your generosity as the Friends of the Kiowa District Hospital and Manor Foundation gear up for their annual Jeans and Gems event. It's this Saturday night, Nov. 10.
The evening of entertainment begins at 5:30 p.m. at Kiowa's Community Building. The cocktail hour is first and you can peruse the silent and live auction items. The brisket dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. The silent auction closes about 7:30 followed by the live auction at 8 p.m. Dancing begins after the auction at about 9 p.m.
If you'd like to donate an auction item, please contact the business office at KDH. Tickets are also available at the office. Advance tickets are $30 each and $40 at the door.
Money raised will go toward the foundation's fundraising efforts to expand the physical therapy and behavioral health department.
Schrock reported that the Foundation contracted with Shannon Martin to help with their Phase II funding for the above mentioned expansion.
Other KDH Business
The board agreed to purchase a microscope for the lab and a telemetry system (nurses use to take patient's vital signs) that are needed. The foundation agreed to pay one-half of the cost of the microscope. So, KDH will pay $2947.
The Central Station of the Telemetry system will be replaced with money from tax credits and the foundation.
Radiology is changing back to Dr. Hamm. They discussed adding ultrasound days. A med staff appointment was approved for Michael Chongwa.
The KDH financials and statistics will run in a separate story next week.
There was no RM/QA report and no need for an executive session.
The next board meetings will be Nov. 29th and Dec. 27th at 7 p.m. at the KDH lobby.
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