March was a good month for Kiowa District Hospital (Healthcare). The Physical Therapy Department is doubled from the same time in 2023. Their MRI truck features a wider, larger MRI machine that relieves that claustrophobic feeling for some patients; the daycare addition and manor improvements are about completed; and more.

Kiowa District Hospital Board of Directors President Pat Myers called the monthly meeting to order April 24 with all members present: Marcia Cantrell, Jeff Miller, Jim Parker and Chantae Simpson. CEO/CFO Janell Goodno and COO Philip Anton were also present along with other personnel: Hospital DON Robyn Whitaker, Quality Manager/Manor DON Brandy Campbell, Manor Co-ADON Sydney Hamill, Business Office Manager Tara Girty, Accountant/Biller Courtney Larson, and Friends of the Hospital and Manor Foundation President Judy Schrock.

Free Sports Physicals and KDH Girls Sports and Wellness Camp

Goodno told the board that KDH offers a Girls Sports and Wellness Camp May 13-17 for $15 per person (scholarships are available). Grades 2-6 from 9 to 10 a.m. daily; and grades 7-12 from 10:30 to 11:30 daily.

KDH offers sports physicals free of charge to surrounding students: May 29, June 6, July 10 and Aug. 8 at the Kiowa District Clinic for the 2024-2025 school year.

New MRI and Other KDH Business

Goodno told the board that the MRI truck that comes to KDH has a new GE Signa Voyager MRI unit installed.

“It's much wider, comparable to our CT scan – much more open, more efficient – good for people with that claustrophobic feeling,” Goodno said. She mentioned excitement with the new machine as they have Wednesday time slots starting at 4 p.m. and have unlimited exams. They'd been locked in at two exams per week for a really long time, she said.

The Scott and Ruby Circle Charitable Trust $40,000 grant arrived to KDH through the Hospital and Manor Foundation. Goodno said they used the funds to purchase Manor beds ($16,160); RHC exam tables/hospital equipment ($23,840). One of those is an adjustment table Dr. Bliss can use to adjust patients.

Reporting on manor improvements, Anton said the spa construction is 10-15 days out to be finished. Facilities Director Brad Applegarth and crew are finishing the walls and most of the new doors are installed. Flooring in the guest bathroom and utility room is laid.

The childcare expansion project is basically on hold until the spa is finished. KDH submitted the 50 percent completion report to the state fire marshal.

Administrators Report on Spotlight Award and Facilities

Goodno said the employee spotlight award went to Franchesca Ellerbeck. She is a nurse at Kiowa Manor. Goodno said, “Franchesca's passion is caring for our residents, working at the Kiowa Manor, and getting to know the residents and their families.”

During Laboratory Week, the KDH lab staff was honored. Dietician Shana Cables is scheduled to visit May 21. A $20,000 grant went toward renovation of the activities room.

KDH is offering Certified Nurse Aide classes through Pratt Community College and they've had a lot of interest in the CNA course from area high school students. Goodno said Pratt has been limited in where they can do their clinicals and labs, so it's nice these can now be done at the Manor. The manor nurse Bridget will be doing Pratt's classes in our building.

Giving the manor report, Anton said they currently have 24 residents. He's started training for Campbell to become a preceptor administrator. On May 17, the manor will have a back-yard 1950s-themed cook-out with families.

Regular monthly reports were approved. The following medical staff appointments were approved: Selena Hinton, MD (vRad); Krishnan Kartha, MD (vRad); Thomas Boden, MD (vRad).

Following an hour-long executive session at the end of the meeting the board approved the risk management report for the manor.

KDH March Statistics and Financial Reports

Larson presented the March statistical and financial reports for the hospital and Manor to the board. The hospital had 19 total admissions, 61 of which were acute and swingbed. Total acute days were 25 and 36 were swingbed.

There were 924 total outpatient visits. Larson said that the Therapy Department (PT, OT, ST and RT) had 217 visits, which is double this same time last year. The lab had 384 visits; X-ray, 101; ER, 69; CT Scans, 49; MRI, 16.

For March, the hospital showed a profit of $209,368. That was in part due to Medicare adjustments of $74,392, and Medicaid adjustments of $123,889 and others. The 340B discount drug operating revenue started again bringing $22,308. With net patient revenue, the hospital's total operating revenue was $851,814. Total operating expenses were $814,501 (professional fees were over budget) for a net from operations of $37,313.

Total non-operating revenue was $172,056 (which was mainly $68,750 tax revenue and $98,611 refund for a grant). The result was a $209,368 gain for the hospital. Year to date, the hospital shows revenue in excess of expenses totaling $552,161.

For March the Manor showed a loss of $58,164. That was derived from total operating revenue of $183,829 and expenses of $248,607 for a loss from operations of $64,778. Larson noted that agency nursing pay was a part of the increased expenses. Total non-operating expenses were $6,614 (mainly $5000 tax revenue) for the loss of $58,164. Year to date, the manor's loss is $66,493.

Using the comparative balance sheets of the hospital and manor, Larson said total cash in all funds is $2,172,802. Total assets are $12,067,984.

Girty presented total gross accounts receivable at $1,448,778. The average days in AR were 39; days of cash on hand were 73. Total payments made to AR were $901,527.

The board approved the stats, payment of the bills, financials and the AR report. They also approved turning the bad debt accounts to collection. There were no financial assistance cases for March.

Upcoming dates: Hospital Week is May 12–18; Skilled Long-Term Care/Nursing Home Week is May 13-17; on May 15 will be the KDH Kick Ball Tournament at 6:30 p.m. (across from the Manor); on May 17 is Kiowa Manor BBQ at 5:30 p.m.

The annual meeting is May 28 at the Kirkpatrick room at KDH at 6 p.m. Subsequent meetings will move to the fourth Wednesday of the month at 6 p.m.