RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

November 28, 2023

The Kiowa County Hospital District Board met in regular session on November 28, 2023, at 6:33 p.m. at the Cobblestone Inn Meeting Room.

District Board members present were Pam Cole, Doug Uhland and Mary Eikner.  Absent:  Matt Prince (called) and Karl Eikenberg (called).

Others present:  Beth Bell, Shannon Dixon, Jodi Stolzenberger, Cindy McLoud, and Beth Spady.

CALL TO ORDER

The meeting was called to order by Pam Cole, Secretary-Treasurer of the Board at 6:33 pm.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES  

A motion was made by Doug Uhland to approve the October 24, 2023; October 31, 2023; and the November 21, 2023, minutes as presented.  Motion seconded by Mary Eikner.  All aye.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

A motion was made by Mary Eikner to approve the agenda after removing the executive session for contract negotiations.  The motion was seconded by Doug Uhland.  All aye.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Cindy McLoud indicated that she felt the economic impact fee proposal presentations went well.

CREDENTIALING

There were no credentialing files to present this month.

POLICIES & PROCEDURES

There were no policies or procedures to present.

STANDING REPORTS

MONTHLY FINANCE REPORT

The Board received a written report from the CFO.

The October financials were reviewed and showed a profit for the month and a loss for the year to date.  In October, days cash on hand was 232 and days in AR was 92.  

The employee Christmas Party is scheduled for December 2, 2023, at the Community Building.

The Board dinner is scheduled to be held immediately after the Budget Hearing which is scheduled for December 12, 2023.

MONTHLY OPERATIONS REPORT

Both Rachel Bletzacker and Morgan King will be receiving training and orientation to the emergency department.  Rachel and Morgan will both be shadowing in the Sky Ridge emergency department under Dr. Bratz in the upcoming months in addition to working with our Docs Who Care providers in the ED at KCHD.  Rachel and Morgan will also attend a technical skills competency workshop in the Spring of 2024.  The plan is to have both Rachel and Morgan covering shifts independently in the ED around April 1, 2024, assuming all requirements and competencies have been satisfied.

Starting January 1, Dr. Thorndike will serve as both the Chief of Staff and Medical Director for the Eads Medical Clinic.  Providers will meet on a weekly basis for case review.  The focus is a culture of accountability, implementation of education components, and review of protocols.

KCHD continues to work on physician recruitment.  Two physicians have expressed an interest in the open position and will be scheduled to visit with the Board and staff in December.  

The door security project is underway.  The contractors are on site pulling wires and the installation of required hardware is scheduled for Wednesday.

KCHD continues to recruit nursing staff including night nurses and certified nurse aides.  Existing staff have been key in covering shifts and ensuring patients continue to receive quality care.

KCHD has two EMTs that will be retiring in January of 2024.  Staff are working to schedule an EMT class for January.  The class takes approximately three months to complete so EMTs residing in Eads will be asked to help respond to calls in Sheridan Lake.  Arrangements have also been made with the surrounding community EMT services of Cheyenne Wells and Prowers to assist with coverage.  

KCHD is collaborating with other agencies to conduct an active shooter tabletop exercise.

The annual resident Thanksgiving dinner was a success and very well attended.

KCHD continues to work on the Rural Access Affordability grant.  Staff are researching options for a remote clinic site as well as the possibility of operating a mobile clinic.

Staff from KCHD attended the Kiowa County Commissioner Meeting to participate in the economic impact fee discussions.  The Board reviewed several proposals pertaining to the impact fees and potential opportunities to improve different areas of healthcare in Kiowa County.

The Board received the Quality Report Scorecard which contains information about infection rates, medication errors, and falls.

OLD BUSINESS

2024 BUDGET

The Board received an updated version of the Budget.  The budget hearing is scheduled for Tuesday, December 12.  The budget has been revised to reflect new numbers for contractual expense and salaries.  The Board reviewed the capital expense items for 2024.

NEW BUSINESS

NEW CLINIC UPDATE

KCHD needs to finalize the proposed floor plan for the new clinic building by December 8, 2023.  The Board reviewed and discussed the draft floor plan.  Staff were asked to follow up on logistics pertaining to the sewer.  

If Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) funding is awarded, KCHD will have twelve months to complete the scope of work and expend funds.  

Next steps involve the selection of a project manager and construction manager.

PUBLIC COMMENT

There was no public comment.

ADJOURNMENT

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.  Mary Eikner made the motion to adjourn.  The motion was seconded by Doug Uhland.  All aye.

Respectfully submitted,

Kiowa County Hospital District Board Pam Cole, Secretary-Treasurer