1989-01-18 Regular Meeting1
KODIAK ISLAND HOSPITAL ADVISORY BOARD
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 1989
CALL TO ORDER: 7:05 pm.
PRESENT: Wilton White, Bill Hogan, Ben Ardinger, Gretchen Saupe,
Betty Springhill, Lonnie White, Dr. Johnson (7:25-9:30 pin); also
Don Wee, administrator; Kate Fitzgerald, DON -Acute; Margaret
French, finance director; Juanita Jones, DON -Care Center, with
guest Duwana Clemens, director of AK Senior Companion Program.
II. AGENDA: Accepted as amended to include VI -B, Bylaws.
III. MINUTES OF 1/10/89. Motion to accept: Lonnie White moved
to accept; seconded by Bill Hogan; all in favor. PASSED.
IV. REPORTS & COMMUNICATIONS
Chairman White announced Cliff Davidson & Garrey Peska,
governor's chief of staff, will visit KIH on Saturday, 1/21, and
meet with the Board at 2:30 pm. The new facility will be
discussed and malpractice insurance.
Bill Hogan introduced Duwana Clemens, director of the Alaska Sr.
Companion Program. Ms. Clemens summarized the program features.
It is a funded with federal, state, and Older Alaska Commission
funds and federally monitored. The program recruits able elderly
seniors to help with disabled non -hospitalized seniors. Seniors
working for the program feel a great sense of purpose & dignity
and if income eligible receive $2.25/hour; higher income seniors
can volunteer. Ms. Clemens met with Pat Branson to discuss
setting up a program here. There are funds available now
specifically for vets and Bill Hogan hopes to implement this
program and will report back to board. Last year over 160,000
hours were volunteered for the program in Alaska.
Chairman White assured Ms. Clemens the full support of the
Advisory Board to proceed with this program. Pamphlets were
distributed.
V. NEW BUSINESS
A. 1989 Officers: Discussion on nominations.
MOTION: Bill Hogan motioned to retain Wilton White as Chairman;
Betty Springhill seconded. Roll Call Vote:
Yes: Gretchen, Lonnie, Ben, Bill, Betty, Dr. Johnson, and
Wilton.
No: None. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
_ MOTION: Bill Hogan motioned to retain all present officers;
j seconded by Ben Ardinger. Roll call vote:
Yes: Gretchen, Lonnie, Ben, Bill, Betty, Dr. Johnson, and
Wilton.
No: None. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
B. Security Bid: Don Wee distributed a summary of bids provided
to KIH for evening/night security guard services. Discussion
ensued about the low bidder and quality of staff. Don will
contact company to ensure employees are trained and company is
bonded.
MOTION: Dr. Johnson moved to authorize Mr. Wee to hire security
firm if found satisfactory; Betty seconded: Roll call vote:
Yes: Gretchen, Lonnie, Dr. Johnson, Betty, Wilton
No: Ben, Bill. MOTION PASSED/MAJORITY IN FAVOR.
C. December Financials: Mr. Wee presented financials and
commented on Care Center current month operational loss of
$11,839.94; operational loss for hospital current month,
$122,429.38; combined YTD operational loss of $206,393.27;
overall net gain of $163,936.00 on combined CC/hospital income
statement. Stats: 10.53 average # of patients for FY '88, 12.6
was budgeted. Care Center, 17.6 residents, budgeted 18.3 for
88. Mr. Wee stated he just received news that Medicaid is
paying $2.05 more/day for nursing home, but looking at a
reduction on the acute care for medicaid reimbursement. Budget
discussion ensued. Mr. Wee stated departments did cut expenses
by 5%, but due to increase in malpractice and general insurance
(higher than projected 50% increase), the facility took one step
forward & 2 steps back, showing a combined operational loss of
$36,465.
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. Nurse Shortage: Members received statement on KIH nurse
shortage from Mr. Wee & Kate Fitzgerald. The purpose of the
letter was to inform the Board a serious shortage exists now and
steps KIH plans to alleviate problem. Steps included offering a
nurse course again at KoCC, refresher course for 12 KIH employees
with outdated nurse licenses, triage critical patients off
island. The long term goal is to only use USCG as back up and
have a stable regular crew. Chairman White expressed the Board
acknowledges that all steps are being taken, but due to
negotiations the situation is frustrating since, in his opinion,
the main issue is salary. Mr. Wee concurred with the Chairman,
but needs the means to do it.
B. Bylaws: Members received final drafts of Articles to be
reviewed at the 2/1 meeting and acted on at the 2/15 meeting.
VII. ADMINISTRATOR REPORT
A. Tympanometer: This equipment is used to test middle ear
function and is not on capital equip list; cost is $2950.00.
Speech pathologist Jean Dickson will be researching models.
Gretchen expressed community need for this service. Bill Hogan
will look into funds from V.A. for this.
B. Architectural Board Update: Mr. Wee met with KIH Arch. Board
3
2 times on hospital plans. His main concern is functional
problems (storage, space organization); Mr. McFarland's concern
is technical. The goal is to plan for the future, but cut down
on "over kill" on plans. Both Mr. McFarland and Don plan to meet
with architects in Seattle Monday, 1/23. Ben recommended the
architects come here if another meeting is arranged.
An Executive Order from Governor Cowper stated the Medicaid
Rate Commission is now under the Dept of Health & Social
Services, Commissioner Myra Munson; serious ramifications could
result in rate setting.
Mr. Wee informed the Board of a physician recruitment firm,
Jackson & Coker, that could be used for radiologist recruitment.
The firm requires $5,000 up front and sends a representative to
the community to do preliminary screening, meets with candidate's
family, etc. The firm has fairly good success rate, normally
filling positions in 90 -120 days.
MOTION: Gretchen moved to authorize Don Wee to proceed with
recruitment of radiologist with Jackson -Coker; seconded by Bill.
Contract costs discussed. Roll Call Vote:
Yes: Gretchen, Lonnie, Bill, Betty, Ben, Wilton
No: None (Dr. Johnson absent) MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
VIII. BOARD COMMENTS
Gretchen: No comment.
Lonnie: Asked about AIDS legislation. Mr. Wee summarized bill
and stated disfavor because of hospital liability exposure.
Ben: Opinion that Hospital Corner expense should be in
advertising not Advisory Board expense. Asked for board support
to have architects here if another meeting occurs; consensus.
Asked for list of changes to be brought to Board.
Bill: No comment.
Betty: Asked for litigation update & budgeting for sudden
litigation expenses.
Wilton: Inquired re: accounts receivable working well under
reorganized business office, Margaret said yes. Discussion on
effectiveness of present situation for collections.
IX. AUDIENCE COMMENTS
Beth showed members recent p.r. articles on Lung Support Group
and Cholesterol Class sponsored by KIH. Asked members about
attending 1/25 luncheon with Mr. Mingen.
X. ADJOURNMENT: 10:05 PM. Recorded by Beth Stohl-Reiland.
Wilton White, Chairman Gretchen Saupe, Sectary