New signs approved in next step toward independence
As the St. Luke Hospital transition continues, decisions were made regarding new, updated signs and the location of hospital bank accounts.
The board of directors of Marion County Hospital District #1 decided to completely replace four yard signs and only the logos on two building signs.
Dean Smith of Dirt Cheap Banners and Signs of McPherson, presented various options to the board before the final decision was reached. Two emergency entrance, Prairie View, and Marion County Home Care Services signs will be replaced. The new logo will replace the current Banner HealthSystems logo now on the hospital and living center buildings.
The approximate cost for all signs and logos will be $1,500, Smith said. The price includes installation. Smith will be required to produce a certificate of insurance before installation will be allowed.
Kevin Cronkleton, chief financial officer, said the official bank account for the hospital must be decided before the transition could be completed.
Specific criteria needs to be met in making the selection, Cronkleton said. He suggested a standard questionnaire be sent to the three local banks and asked the board to give him permission to determine the appropriate bank.
The board approved Cronkleton's request with the selection criteria based on the completion and information from the questionnaire and cost.
In other business:
— The board approved employee dishonesty, hospital professional liability, general liability, workers' compensation, property, and machinery insurance policies. An errors and omissions insurance also was approved for board members. The approximate cost for the liability insurance was estimated at $95,000.
A $5 million umbrella policy also was approved as required by Quorum Health Services, the management company for the hospital as of Oct. 1.
— Cronkleton said he was in the process of updating and renewing various contracts and lease agreements with the hospital district's attorney.
— An encoder for billing was approved by the board. Quadra Med was awarded the bid with a five-year lease at a cost of $26,540 for the first year and $8,500 per year for the next five years.
— Board treasurer Greg Bowers presented the cash flow statement for August. Expenses totaled $16,237 with the majority related to the transition.
Income totaled $4,539 with most being monthly rent payments. The district has a total of $403,835 in cash and bank accounts. The report was approved as presented.
— Bowers presented an account summary for St. Luke Foundation. The foundation received $701 in memorial contributions bringing the investment account balance to $596,638. The checking account has a balance of $338.
— Cronkleton reported the hospital's revenue for August had declined from 2003 revenue. There were 23 admissions with the average hospital stay at 2.35 days. The living center was at 100 percent with two new admissions.
There were 822 outpatient admissions and 184 home care visits.
— Annual dues of $616 for Kansas Home Care Association membership were approved. Also approved was a booth at a physician recruitment exhibition in Wichita. Cost of the booth space was $300.
Hospital chief executive officer Doug Newman suggested new CEO Tom Smith and chief nursing officer Jan Moffitt work the booth. Medical residents and students will attend the exhibition.
Newman reported he enrolled Dr. Don Hodson of Marion Family Physicians as a main contact for the University of Kansas School of Medicine for physician recruitment. Banner HealthSystems paid a $500 fee for advertising with the school.
— Eileen Sieger of the ladies' auxiliary presented a treasurer's report for July. Money was being collected for chances on a quilt.
As of July, the general fund had a balance of $1,008 and $5,538 in the special fund making a total balance of $6,516 in the checking account plus two CDs totaling $2,000.
Sieger thanked Newman on behalf of the auxiliary for his efforts in obtaining a donation of $2,500 from Banner to the auxiliary.
— Cheryl Connell, hospital employee, asked the board to consider funding an employee Christmas party.
In the past Banner had funded employee-oriented events with the board making a contribution. Connell said the party would be a fund-raiser for the hospital with items being donated and purchased by employees through an auction.
The semi-formal event was being planned for Dec. 4 at St. Mark's Activity Center, Marion, and catered by a Burns business. The minimum amount needed for the event was $2,000, said Connell. The board approved the expense.
— Funds were approved for the board to share the expense of shirts for employees with the new hospital logo.
Linda Kannady, hospital employee, asked the district to fund $15 per employee as a credit toward a shirt. The total estimated expense was $1,500. Employees will have a choice of four styles from Western Associates.
Board member Peggy Blackman suggested the hospital have a float in the Old Settlers' Day parade.
— The annual Kansas Hospital Association convention will be held Nov. 9-11 at Topeka.
In the past, seven hospital employees have attended the conference. Board members would benefit from the conference, Newman and Cronkleton said.
— Newly hired CEO Tom Smith will officially begin Oct. 18. He will be at the hospital for a few days in September.
— Janet Herzet, Marion County Home Care Director, reported the annual Women's Wellness Workshop will be Nov. 6 in Marion. Brochures will be available at the end of September.
Herzet also reported Marion will host a health fair in March 2005.
The next regular district board meeting will be 7:30 p.m. Oct. 14 in the clinic basement.
