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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBHSMinutes_2024_02_261 Brookings Health System Board of Trustees Minutes of Meeting February 26, 2024 The Brookings Health System Board of Trustees held a meeting on February 26, 2024, at the Brookings Hospital in the Board Room with the following members present: Sheila Anderson, Lynn Darnall, David Meyer, Dick Peterson, Andrew Ellsworth, Tracy Greene, Don Greiner, Mary Anne Krogh, and Jim Morgan; Ex-officio: Brianna Doran, and Ryan Krogman Management Present: Jason Merkley, CEO; Tammy Hillestad, CNO; Melissa Wagner, CFO and Sheri Wiig, recorder President Anderson called the meeting to order at 5:33 p.m. AGENDA A motion was made by Meyer, seconded by Peterson to approve the agenda. All present voted in favor; motion carried. CONSENT AGENDA A motion was made by Morgan, seconded by Greene to approve the following consent agenda items: January 29, 2024 Board of Trustees meeting minutes, February 21, 2024 Medical Executive Committee meeting minutes, and January 2024 financials, adjustments, and payables; total payables in January were $2,266,870.83. All present voted in favor; motion carried. INFORMATIONAL ITEMS Articles of interest included: “Unrelenting Pressure Pushes Rural Safety Net Crisis into Unchartered Territory, Chartis Study; “Hundreds of rural hospitals “at risk of closure”, Foxnew.com; “Workplace violence concerns broaden, Business Insurance; and “How hospitals are battling employee turnover, Becker’s Hospital Review. Discussion was held on articles relating to rural hospitals at risk of closure. 418 rural hospitals are vulnerable to closure according to a new expanded statistical analysis. Decreasing reimbursements, declining operating margins, and staffing shortages have all impacted rural health care systems. Merkley noted Brookings Health System is very fortunate to be in a positive position at this time. Discussion was also held on the increasing risk of workplace violence within the health care industry. REPORTS Executive Reports CEO Report Merkley shared, beginning with the next payroll, merit increases will take effect across the board for health system staff. FY24 budgeted dollar increase to salaries is targeted at three (3%) percent per department. Merkley also informed members a Foundation Prairie Nightengale social event is tentatively being planned for April 22nd. CFO Report Wagner shared yearly statistical information relating to number of claims and patient registrations. In 2023 there were 57,934 patient registrations and 78,405 claims processed through Brookings Health System’s Business Office and Health Information Management departments. Wagner also commented 2 the audit process went smoothly and no major adjustments are expected. The draft audit will be presented to the Finance committee and board next month. CNO Report Hillestad noted, focused quality efforts are underway to incorporate the use of Buprenorphine, a favorable prescription pain medication, to treat those with a substance use disorder and chronic pain. Hillestad also shared January was a record month for Inpatient/ICU/Swingbed census with 458 patient days. Board Committee Reports Administrative Committee Meeting Secretary Meyer provided a report; the Administrative Committee met on February 20th. Topics of discussion included Meditech Expanse/Avera/Workday, Investment Authority–Year End Report, FIT- Wellness/Acceleration, Yorkshire Medical Building RFP, Dietary/EVS Operational Assessment, Legislative Update, SDSU/First Bank & Trust Arena, and Board Recruitment. Finance Committee Committee Chair Greiner provided a report; the Finance Committee met on February 20th. The committee reviewed and approved the payables, adjustments, and financials for January. Total salaries and wages for January were $2,772,330. Reports were also given on cash flow projection and FY23 audit. Quality Committee Committee Chair Krogh provided a report; the Quality Committee met on February 20th. Nikki Winseman, Director of Radiology and Respiratory Therapy provided an overview of the onsite Sleep Diagnostics Lab survey process and successful results received from (ACHC) Accreditation for Health Care. Other topics of discussion included 2024 Performance Improvement Projects, FY23 Organ/Tissue & Eye Donation Report. In addition, an announcement was made that Brooking Health was named, for the 9th consecutive year, one of the Top 100 Rural & Community Hospitals in the US and a report was given on a new medication available to treat chronic pain versus an addictive opioid. NEW BUSINESS Medical Staff Credentialing A motion was made by Ellsworth, seconded by Peterson to approve all credentialing as recommended by the Medical Executive Committee on February 21st. All present voted in favor; motion carried. Upon motion by Ellsworth, second by Greiner the meeting adjourned at 5:58 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, ___________________________ David Meyer, Secretary