Hospital board hires new chief financial officer
A chief financial officer for St. Luke Hospital & Living Center has been hired.
Hilary Dolbee of Topeka accepted the position that was offered by board of directors of Marion County Hospital District #1 and Quorum Health Resources.
She is expected to begin employment by the end of September and plans to reside in Marion. Interim CFO Hank DeBragga will remain for an unspecified time following her arrival to assist with transition.
In other business:
— Thom Smith, chief executive officer, reported that a physician recruit from Colorado soon will visit Marion. The candidate will meet with the board, and medical personnel.
The candidate has finished a family practice residency and will be available this fall or winter.
— Smith also reported ongoing discussions with officials from Memorial Hospital of McPherson and Newman Regional Hospital of Emporia.
Conversations also are taking place with officials from Surgical Specialists of Wichita.
Dr. Stephen Cranston will continue to provide services in Marion and Newton, with free transportation available to Newton.
— Marilyn Blanding and Glenda Taylor, who were representing Hope Spain of Marion, stated to the board and hospital officials of concerns they had regarding emergency room charges for medication.
Blanding referred to an ER visit her mother had made this past February that required the administration of medications.
When Blanding received the hospital bill, she was shocked to see a charge of $144 for four pills while another medication was only $9 for six pills.
The total hospital bill was $333. Medicare paid $180, leaving $153 for the family to pay, which were the medications. The bill has been paid, said Blanding.
Smith had been contacted by Blanding prior to the meeting and made efforts to research the situation. More research will be made into why the medication was so costly.
Board chairman Gene Winkler explained ER coverage, particularly during weekends, is expensive. A "factor" is used to determine costs for such items such as medication.
As a critical access hospital, the facility is required to have an ER, Smith said. Pharmacy packets are available in the ER that come from vendors. The pricing of medications are dependent on the charges from vendors and overall operation charges.
"We will continue to look into ways to better serve the needs of our community," said Smith.
— The board approved accounts payable for $56,854.
— DeBragga presented financial information for the month of July.
There were 27 hospital admissions, 23 surgical procedures, and 751 outpatient services used.
Total revenue was $464,000 and expenses were $560,000 which made a net loss of $91,000.
Net loss for the year is $59,000. DeBragga noted there was a $216,000 net loss at the same time in 2004.
— Janet Herzet, representing the St. Luke Foundation, reported a new stove for dietary has been ordered and will be paid by the foundation.
She also reported that members of the foundation are considering taking a grant writing class.
In an effort to solicit funds, a mass mailing is being planned in the future, Herzet said.
— St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary reported the high tea fund-raiser was a success with 83 tickets purchased and a profit of $578.
The organization has a balance of $734 in its general fun, $8,759 in a special fund, and two certificates of deposit that total $2,060.
— Joe Picket, compliance officer, reported the hospital was current with privacy policies.
He did have a concern which will be corrected regarding access to patient information from a fax machine located in the business office. Another fax will be located in his office area so faxes can be delivered to the appropriate departments in a timely manner.
External audits are being conducted on a regular basis which also is recommended by Picket.
There has been no activity on an employee grievance hot line or communication in a post office box.
— A walk-through weapons of mass destruction exercise will be held from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 10 at the hospital.
The entire community will be involved in an effort to coordinate various disaster plans. State grant funds will pay for the training.
— Bob Jobin of Quorum Health Resources, reported the company is in the process of changing its name to QHR.
The company's annual meeting for CEOs and CFOs will be Oct. 5-7 at Denver.
— Board treasurer Greg Bowers requested and received a five-minute executive session to discuss land acquisition.
The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
A special meeting to approve accounts payable will be held at noon Sept. 8, in the clinic building basement.
The next regular board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 27.
