March 29, 2024

Greater Regional Health ranked in ‘top 20’

During the Greater Regional Health (GRH) board of trustees regular meeting Monday, LouAnn Snodgrass announced GRH has been named one of the top 20 critical access hospitals in the country by the Charter Center for Rural Health (CCRH) for 2019.

The CCRH uses a hospital strength index, which looks at market shares, quality of care, outcomes and financial stability among other factors, to rank rural and critical access hospitals. The ranking will be announced during the Critical Access Hospital Conference in Kansas City September 18.

Construction

The board voted to open the bidding process for construction not to exceed $3.8 million for project designed to increase available space, comply with new pharmacy laws and make it easier to heat the building. The construction will include closing the mezzanine and building four offices, renovating the cardiac and physical therapy areas, and adding two vestibules to reduce the cold air flow from opened doors during winter months. The construction will be funded from cash reserves.

New physicians

Dr. Cheri Standing has joined the Greater Regional Medical clinic as a pediatrician. An open house is scheduled for Friday at noon to meet her. Dr. Timothy Rankin will be joining GRH in orthopedics August 5 while Dr. William Ralston is on sabbatical. Dr. Ronald Charles will also be at GRH orthopedics part-time through November. Dr. Catherine Wikoff, obstetrician/gynecologist, will be seeing patients in the specialty clinic beginning in July or August.

Unity Point

Unity Point liaison Tracy Warner spoke of plans to diversify revenue by improving quality, reducing waste, and utilizing a software program to identify and build relationships with potential donors.

Daisy Award

Kristen Roberts was the most recent recipient of the Daisy Award for her care of patients in the emergency room. Roberts and other recipients were honored at a reception during Nurses’ Week.

Capital Expenditures

Three capital expenses were approved by the board. An electronic sign for the Mount Ayr Health Clinic for $37,959 will allow the clinic to advertise their services and will be used to publicize community events.

Two message boards for $24,484 will be used to direct traffic during parking lot renovation and construction projects and then will be used for special events.

The cardiology rehab services software will be upgraded for $22,490. The current software will no longer be supported in January of 2020. The cost also includes moving the system during construction and moving it back once construction is complete.

Financial report

Matt McCutchan stated that the April operating expenses were only 7% over budget. Revenue was $5.5 million, which was 7% over budget and 20% higher than a year ago, but reimbursements were low causing contractual adjustments to exceed the budget by nearly $500,000. This left an operating margin for the month of $21,000 and a total margin of $89,000.

“That was good to see a black number, not a red one this month,” said McCutchan.

McCutchan also stated that the year-to-date operating revenue was $51 million or 1% under budget and expenses were $51.1 million or 1/2% under budget.