Alva Review-Courier -

The Alva Hospital Authority welcomed new board member Kimberly Baugh at their meeting May 28. Baugh replaces Steve Ward who moved outside the city causing his resignation.

Other board members present were Dr. Ken Brown, Halah Simon, Jay Randals and Dr. Phil Self. Absent were Jason Gaisford and Dr. Bo Hannaford. Dr. Brown chaired the meeting in the absence of Gaisford.

CEO Report

Although the financial picture is improving, Share Medical Center has decided to delay changing the electronic health records (EHR) system to EPIC software. CEO Kandice Allen said the delay is due to the project cost and the hospital's cash position. SMC hopes to start on the project during the next fiscal year. Allen said Share has about $1 million in computer servers that are aged out

Recruiting efforts are continuing but Allen had nothing new to report. She is still working on a couple of medical students for possible future location to Alva.

A group of 59 students who will be eighth graders next year toured the hospital as part of MASH camp. When students are going into high school, they will have the opportunity to job shadow at Share for a day.

The swing bed program had eight admission for March with two being transfers from outside facilities. Allen commended Heather Vaughn for the continued improvement in accounts receivable collections.

Following approval of the CEO written report, the board also approved Dr. Michael Lawrence's emergency room contract.

CFO Report

CFO Kevin O'Brien reported swing bed days for the fiscal year are projected to be about 1,000 more than last year. Patient revenue for the year is up almost $1.2 million from last year. Alva sales tax earmarked for the hospital for April was down $16,000 from March.

Operating cash balance for April was $40,703 representing 1.5 days of operating expenses, excluding depreciation. The accounts receivable balance of $3,761,652 was a decrease of $202,665 during April.

The accounts payable balance for April was $1,056,652, representing 94.5 days of operating expenses excluding the costs related to salaries, benefits and depreciation.

Hospital gross patient revenue for April totaled $1,818,517, a $248,445 decrease from March. Total patient days for April were 129 compared to 144 in March. Total clinic visits for April were 1,506 compared to 1,714 in March.

Hospital operating expenses excluding salaries, benefits and depreciation for April totaled $365,803, in increase of $33,196 compared to the prior month.

Hospital salaries and wages for April totaled $388,566 which was a decrease of $58,263 compared to the prior month.

The hospital had a net operating loss for April of $129,699. After adjusting for non-operating income including sales tax, the net loss for April was $45,207. In April 2018 the net loss was $178,080.

O'Brien said, the hospital is about $900,000 better off than last year. "Critical Access has made the difference," he said. Share doesn't have the final cost report in so the Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rate may be further adjusted.

Medical Staff

Dr. Self, chief of staff, presented credentialing committee recommendations. The board approved the reappointment of Caroline Holmboe, MD to courtesy staff, the reappointment of Bryan Nutter, APRN to allied staff, and the appointment of Brian Whitson, MD to courtesy staff. Dr. Self said that Dr. Whitson is a pulmonary specialist from Woodward.

Quality Assurance Process Improvement

O'Brien reported the hospital had been surveyed on their QAPI plans and compliance. There were six minor deficiencies found. The hospital has submitted a plan of correction and will monitor those issues for the next six months.

Share Convalescent Home

New Share Convalescent Home Administrator Kelly Parker reported the facility had an operating cash balance for April of $35,178 representing 3.6 days of operating expenses, excluding depreciation. The accounts receivable balance of $706,789 was a decrease of $5,423 during April.

Accounts payable balance was $270,504 representing 47.2 days of operating expenses, excluding the costs related to salaries, benefits and depreciation.

Gross patient revenue for the month was $296,982, a decrease of $27,226 compared to March. Total patient days for April were 1,534 compared to 1,665 in March.

Operating expenses excluding salaries, benefits and depreciation for April totaled $137,266, an increase of $7,705 compared to the prior month.

Convalescent home salaries and wages for April totaled $124,171 which was a decrease of $5,350 compared to the previous month.

The net loss for April was $13,478.

The average daily census was 50 for April, a decrease of three compared to March. However, Parker said they have added several residents in May.

The convalescent home has hired three new CNAs and is interviewing to fill more vacancies. Parker said there should be a decline in expenses for agency nurses and aides. He expects a 30 to 40 percent reduction in agency staffing for May and June.

Routine maintenance continues on small facility items. Maintenance has completed working on the air conditioning. The staff has been sorting through items stored in the basement to determine those that are broken or not needed.

Several residents traveled to the casino during April and all residents celebrated Easter with the staff.

The Homestead

Administration at The Homestead is transitioning from Parker to Kristy Moorman. Parker presented the April report to the hospital board. The Homestead had a net income of $12,425. Occupancy declined from 17.2 percent in April compared to last April with a number of patients getting sick and not returning. However, some new residents are being signed up.

The walk-in cooler and freezer installation is complete, but work is continuing on the building remodeling portion of the project. The carpentry work has been slowed by the wet weather. The conversion of the super-two apartment is close to being finished.

Scholarships Awarded

Parker chairs the SMC Foundation. He reported two $1,000 scholarships were awarded to high school seniors Landry Gaddy of Alva who is going into medicine and Brenner Clark of Burlington who is going into nursing. Parker said the scholarship criteria includes plans for a healthcare career as a physician, nurse or in an allied health service and an interest that would serve Alva and the surrounding area.

June Meeting Change

Dr. Brown said there was no chairman's report. He announced the scheduled June 18 meeting has been pushed back to June 25 due to board member conflicts.