The Washington County Hospital Board of Directors met last night for their November meeting and Chief Financial Officer Elaine Matzenbacher says many of the numbers from the month of October were up from the previous month, as well as what was budgeted. There were 24 admissions and there were 23 budgeted, but it is 2 more as last October. Patient days was at 1,032, more than the 971 budgeted and more than the 997 from the previous month, as well as 43 more than a year ago. Outpatient visits was up from the 3,000 that were anticipated at 3,266, and that is more than the 2,964 from September and 130 more than a year ago. Emergency room visits was at 235, but that is less than the 238 anticipated. It 6 more than this September, and 12 more than October 2013. There were only 36 surgeries, 8 fewer than budgeted and 3 fewer than the previous month, while 4 fewer than last October. When looking at the year-to-date, patient days and surgeries are more than expected, while admissions, outpatient visits and emergency room visits are lower. The hospital had a profit of $9,514 for October, as again employee benefits were higher than budgeted, as they had planned for a profit of $14,654. This is also less than the profit of $25,112 for September, and doesn’t compare to the $199,198 profit of last October. Matzenbacher says the hospital has made a profit of $149,260, which is more than the $87,924 profit budgeted for at this time. It is nearly $10,000 more than September’s profit. At this time last year, the hospital had a profit of $268,625. The Board approved the October financial report. Chief Information Officer, Kim Larkin talked about how the hospital is progressing with all the Phase II of Meaningful Use requirements, which are being mandated by Medicare. They have completed the Medicare attestation and will be doing the Medicaid next. It was reported that for October the patient use of the Hospital Portal was at 5 percent for the second month in a row, which is what it needed to be for Meaningful Use. Larkin reported that they have been dealing with issues of system performance and had a consultant come in and check the system, as it has been running slow. The system checked out with just some minor tweaking done. The issue is with the programs and providers, which they are trying to get resolved. The Board tabled an issue dealing with some mineral rights they have, which was news to them. Brehm Oil out of Mount Vernon wants the ability to drill on 10 acres of land by Route 177 and Highway 51. The hospital doesn’t own the land, but the mineral rights of what might be in the ground. There are many issues to deal with before entering into a contract with Brehm Oil, so they will investigate if it is worth the paperwork and liabilities on what profit there might be. Chief Executive Officer Nancy Newby says the Hospital Auxiliary is donating a new treadmill valued at nearly $8,200, and she thanked that group for all they do and provide, such as an EKG machine earlier this year valued at approximately $12,000. The Board approved of the purchase of a new telemetry unit for Cardiac Rehab. The current unit is well over 14 years old and parts are not available. The new unit will be able to used on 4 people at once and provide their readings, as well as recording and storing them. The price of $34,240 is more than they budgeted for, but it also includes training. The Employee Handbook Committee went over the first section of the handbook and will have some recommendations to vote on at the December meeting. They will deal with nepotism, chain of command, among other issues. Newby reported that the Quarterly Status Report was very positive, one of the best ever. They had a very successful Joint Commission survey in both long term care and critical access hospital and she thanked everyone that assisted during that visit. Financially for the quarter, there was a profit of $20,980. Statistically, in-patient ED visits was low, but all the other stats were more than budgeted. On the Quality bounce score card, it was a full green card, for what she thinks is the first time ever and again she thanked the staff. The next meeting will be on Monday, December 30th.