The Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at noon Monday, Dec. 18, in the Alliance Room at BBGH. This month’s agenda included a report on the 2024-2026 Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP), respiratory illnesses, and a brief update on the Chief Quality Officer position. The November financial report, consent calendar, and credentialing requests were all approved as presented.
During the meeting Wellness Center Manager Dan Newhoff provided a report on the 2024-2026 CHIP strategic plan for BBGH. Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), 501 (c) (3) health care entities like BBGH are required to review and adopt plans every three years that address the needs of the community based on the results of the Community Health Needs Assessment.
“In November through December 2022 we sent out the survey,” Newhoff said. “We send that out and then consolidate it and use that information to come up with the next cycles plan.”
The plan for 2024-2026 will focus on improving four areas: translation and interpretation, mental health and substance abuse, chronic disease prevention, and community education of available resources. The full CHIP strategic plan, which details the goals and plans for each action item will be made available to the public on the BBGH website.
“One thing that that we did different this cycle that is completely different than in the past is that the region used to come up with their priority areas first and then visit with the hospitals,” Newhoff added. “But the hospitals came up with theirs first and then the region aligned with ours. So, their resources are going toward the things we find meaningful and useful in our community.”
Chief Executive Office Lori Mazanec briefly updated the Board on the rise in respiratory illnesses. She stated that BBGH is starting to see cases of influenza and COVID, however, the amount of COVID cases has not spiked and is remaining steady.
Mazanec added that BBGH is planning on beginning interviewing candidates for the vacant Chief Quality Officer position in the new year.
New BBGH employees recognized during the meeting included Physician Kayla Luhrs, Staff Nurse Kulwinder Kaur, Building Blocks Playschool Teacher Kristi Medjo, and Teacher Assistant Ava Trickler. Also recognized was the December Employee of the Month, LPN Madison Trout.
The Board went into executive session at 12:43 p.m. The meeting was adjourned at 1:47p.m. with one action unanimously approving the CEO performance appraisal and proposed salary increase. The next BBGH Board meeting will be at noon on Monday, Jan. 29, 2024, in the Alliance Room. The public is invited to attend.