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Board commends hospital employees for auction

Employees of St. Luke Hospital & Living Center were commended Thursday during a Marion County Hospital District #1 meeting.

Mary Alice Jolley, an auxiliary board member, commended the hospital staff for its fund-raising efforts to offset transition expenses.

Employees planned and promoted a silent auction with most items donated by hospital employees. Previously, employees organized and operated a fund-raiser during Chingawassa Days.

Cheryl Connell, hospital employee and reporting secretary for the board, reported $1,879 was raised in the silent auction. Jolley asked the board to recognize the employees for their efforts.

Tom Smith, chief executive officer, agreed and something will be planned to recognize their efforts.

In other business:

— Satisfaction survey results were distributed to board members from Janet Herzet, home health care director. Kevin Cronkleton, chief financial officer, distributed the information on Herzet's behalf. The results were favorable with responses from physicians locally and from other cities.

— A bio-terrorism grant had been submitted, Smith reported. A check for $22,000 will be submitted to the hospital as funds are needed.

Application will be made for funds from a small hospital improvement grant, related to Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, reducing errors and quality improvement, and computer virus protection updates.

Smith said he will make contact with people within the Marion community who might be able to assist with grant writing.

— A foundation report was submitted. The checking account summary showed a deposit in November of $100,000 from the foundation's investment account and a check written to the hospital to help cover expenses. The checking account has a balance of $327.

The investment account has a balance of $106,782 following a deposit of $265 in memorial money for Lorraine Hadsell and the $100,000 withdrawal.

— Cronkleton reported the paperwork for changing Medicare and Medicaid provider numbers has been completed and sent to the state for final approval. He anticipated final approval within 60 days.

— Smith reported the "wheels are in motion" for a strategic plan. Assistance will be provided by Quorum Health Resources. An analysis of the community will be conducted with the findings presented to hospital administration and the board. Goals and objectives also will be set.

— Debbie Craig, director of St. Luke Living Center, reported a community and family support group had met with 25 people in attendance. The group was led by Ruth Reed and will meet Jan. 18.

Craig said the hospital auxiliary has begun a social hour one time each month.

She reported a resident died during the month of November and one new admission.

— Smith encouraged board members to attend a training provided by Quorum called Foundations for the Future Governance.

The next training session will be February in Brentwood which is near Nashville, Tenn. Tuition is covered through the hospital's contract with Quorum. Smith said he also would attend. A second training session will be held in May in Dallas, Texas.

— Cronkleton reported there were four new employees recently hired. Samantha Collett and Tonya Morgan were hired at the living center, Jeff Methvin was hired as the information technology network coordinator, and Gloria Jackson in dietary.

Joyce Ford retired from the living center.

— Smith is reviewing internal hospital policies. Quorum Health Resources also is providing assistance with a policy regarding contracts the board should approve and contracts Smith should be given the authority to approve. A policy will be submitted for board review at a future meeting.

— Research had been conducted by Smith regarding Kansas open meetings law. He obtained information from the Kansas Attorney General's website regarding notification procedure.

Smith said the law states if an individual or agency wants to to be notified of special meetings, a request must be submitted. For regular meetings, no notification is required.

The request for notification is valid for one year and must be resubmitted on an annual basis. Smith said the law does not require meeting dates to be published in the official newspaper.

Meetings were defined as any time hospital business is discussed with a quorum of board members present.

The next special board meeting was announced. It will be held at noon Dec. 23 in the clinic basement. The regular board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Jan. 13 in the clinic basement.

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