The Washington County Hospital Board of Directors met Tuesday night for the monthly meeting and Chief Executive Officer Nancy Newby gave the Quarterly Status Report for the months of November through January.  They have met many of their requirements for accreditations, including Meaningful Use, having appropriate technology and working on parts of the hospital or making repairs, despite putting off any large capital projects until their financial situation improves.  The Hospital is currently working with the Washington County Health Department on a community assessment to find out the general health of the county.  This is the first time they have gone to the public as a whole and there have been approximately 250 surveys done so far.  The financial statement for the quarter was the only negative spot, as there was a loss of $84,183 for the 3 month period.  She attributed this to a low volume of patients coming through the hospital.  Newby reported that they did get a $10,000 grant during that time period and are using the funds now for low sodium education.  It is for both employees and the community, as they have purchased a salad bar for the cafeteria, as well as a cooking grill and burner, so they can actually have cooking classes, as the dietician will be doing them for the community on healthy cooking.  The hospital has seen an upswing in those coming in for CPR – First Aid training, as many other entities have raised their rates, so they are coming to WCH now.  A feedback survey is sent out to patients after they go home from the hospital, but the return rate is not very high, but the scores are, so those reporting are satisfied with their experience.  They began a community education program with the diabetic program that has become popular.  For the staff, they are doing training and education through webinars instead of sending people to seminars in a move to cut costs.  In other news, Charles Braly attends almost every meeting for the past couple of years and again requested the same packet of information the Board members receive in advance of the meeting so he can follow along and have all the same information they have for their discussions.  The Board voted against this request last year and no one made a motion to change that policy.  Braly also requested that public comments be allowed throughout the meeting, instead of at one time.  Again this was addressed last year and no one made a motion to change the policy.  The public is allowed time to talk or ask questions at a specific time of the meeting, per the Open Meeting Act.