Alva Review-Courier -

Last month the Kiowa District Hospital Board unanimously voted to end the current contract with Cohesive Healthcare (management and consulting company) effective March 31, 2020, and to begin discussions with them for a new relationship. At the Oct. 29 regular monthly meeting of the board, President Pat Myers told the board KDH received a notice of termination from Cohesive regarding their contract of managing the manor. At this point the two entities are negotiating a termination date.

All members of the Kiowa District Hospital Board of Directors were present as Myers called the October meeting to order. They are: Jeff Miller, Chantae Simpson, Jim Parker and Miranda Allen.

Chief of Staff Dr. Paul Wilhelm was also present along with Hospital Administrator Robert Whitaker, CFO Janell Goodno, Hospital DON Robyn Whitaker, Manor DON Krisgina Fossoh, Business Office Manager Tara Girty, other hospital personnel, Foundation President Judy Schrock, a few Cohesive employees and members of the public.

Hospital and Manor Statistics and Financials

Goodno presented the financials and statistics for the hospital and manor. For September the hospital had 26 total admissions. Total days of swingbed and acute care were 112 with 88 of those swingbed. Outpatient visits totaled 565 with 356 clinic visits.

The hospital's total operating revenue was $585,800. Expenses total $596,517. This made a loss of $10,717. The addition of non-operating revenue of $88,789 made a profit of $78,072. Year-to-Date the hospital is in the black $189,243.

The manor had a census of 23 residents in September. Total operating revenue was $128,008. Expenses were $137,804 for a loss of $9,796. Adding $6,353 of non-operating revenue, mainly tax revenue, curbed the loss to $3,443. Year-to-Date, the manor's loss is $41,027.

The combined balance sheets show an earning of $148,216 for the hospital and manor at the end of September. Total assets are $8,805,344.

KDH Administrative Reports

Whitaker said a fourth year medical student from OSU, Taylor Waugh, is at KDH doing a month long clinical rotation in November. Waugh is studying family and emergency medicine.

The hospital has two new employees, Whitaker listed: Elaine Johnson in accounts payable; and Rae Brattin at the front desk in the clinic.

The KDH website is now http://www.kdhks.com. The email domain is now @kdhks.com.

Flu shots arrived late, Whitaker said. They received 300 and had already given over 130 shots the day of the meeting.

Whitaker gave some highlights from the KHA District meeting. He said KDH has really not received questions regarding prices of services posted for transparency as required. He told of the new hospital provider model which is not a replacement for Critical Access.

Whitaker said the Medical Explorers program is up and running with high school students and he's “excited” about it. In November they'll bring employee handbooks and talk employee benefits regarding insurance. He said KHA dues will increase.

The Patient and Family Advisory Council is being reestablished by Macie Malone. It's a structured feedback program to help facilities improve. It also gives the hospital extra points regarding Medicare reimbursement, Whitaker said.

The Strong Minds Program is growing and now is offered three days/week. Some patients are driving from Enid, he said.

Giving a report for the manor was the DON Fossoh. She said they continue to research stainless vs. wooden cabinet requirements. The new soda machine is installed and getting good reviews she said.

Fossoh said proudly they used no agency nursing in September. She said they need more staff – CNAs, CMAs, LPN, RN, PRN. She's hired a few, Fossoh said.

Other KDH Board Business

Taylor Binder, radiology director, spoke briefly to the board about the need to purchase a CT injector and service agreement. After research she said this is the best deal which the board approved. The cost of the CT injector with a three-year service agreement is $16,944.

Medical staff minutes were approved.

Following executive session the board approved the Risk Management/Quality Assurance for the hospital and manor.