Phillips County Hospital Looks at Positive Changes

With standing room only, the Phillips County Hospital Board met on Tuesday, November 29, with plans to provide the community they serve with some changes.

Some changes have taken place, some will be in place in directly, and others will be implemented over time.

The meeting was conducted by Susan Johnson, who has replaced former chairman, Mike Sjostrom. Ric Starkey will serve as Vice Chairman. Tyanna Dunbar serves as the secretary for the Board.

The group of board members, medical staff and visitors listened as the various topics were discussed. CEO Tharp announced that Maggie Young has been appointed Clinic Manager.

Newly elected board member, Howie Hammond, first addressed the topic of whether or not the finances of the hospital should be addressed in a regular session, questioning why a profit/loss statement wasn’t included in the new board member packets, stating it is in the by-laws that a copy is to be provided to each board member.

One board member stated she felt the discussion should be handled in executive session, in her personal opinion. She further stated she “didn’t necessarily feel the finances of the hospital or whatever should be public knowledge, necessarily,” stating again…it was just her personal opinion.

Hammond stated he did not agree, citing, “For example, Francis Mahon Hospital (in Glasgow) mails out a profit/loss sheet, and a quarterly report to each patient.”

The board member stated he disagreed with her statement, responding “Our hospital is owned by everybody in this community. I think it lends to a little distrust when people aren’t allowed to see those things, whether it is good or bad it is what it is when you are dealing with finances.”

He continued, “If you are unwilling to share them, and normally nobody cares, but if you state ‘it is confidential,’ then they suspect something is wrong. And I feel that in the community, as a board member, I feel we need to be well informed to make decisions. We need a clear concept of what is going on. My feeling is the trust.”

Chairman Johnson expressed, “We DO have a new atmosphere…we DO have a new climate...that is and things are going to change dramatically.”

The same board member stated, “Another thing I think is real important is monthly clinic stats comparing to last year, where we are now and where we have been.”

Chairman Johnson responded, “I think, I believe many, things are going to change; many, many! I believe we will have more clarity.”

Scott Duke, CEO mentor for the clinic and hospital during the transition of CEO’s, appearing by telecommunication from S.D; he added the purpose of the financial reports being available to board members allows the board members to review the information prior to the meeting, it is not meant to be secretive. He added discretion has to used, especially when discussing finances, and any member can ask that an item be set aside and discussed in executive session. It saves rehashing details over and over and makes board time more productive.

Neil Frizzell and Charles Frizzell, accountants with the CP Accounting Company, were onboard as well, appearing from Florida.

In a brief update, CEO Tharp shared that STAT Air, which serves the Phillips County Hospital and does transfers of patients to larger facilities, has added one new pilot and three nurses. She further stated that Frances Mahon Deaconess Clinic/Hospital in Glasgow has added a new Respiratory Therapist, and also stated that supplies for the flights had increased 33% last month.

CEO Tharp detailed the duties of standing committees and members of the board and/or clinic, and hospital staff were appointed to the various committees, including Quality Assurance (QA), Infection Control, Building Committee, Finance Committee, Human Resources (HR) and Med Staff.

The board discussed the pros and cons of insurance policy options and voted on insurance premiums.

The board meets the last Tuesday of each month at the hospital board meeting room at 6 p.m.