The Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at noon Monday, July 29th, in the Alliance Room of BBGH. This month’s agenda included discussion focused on rural health survey results, financial reports from the 2024 fiscal year, and National Hospital Association (NHA) statistics.
Accreditation Specialist Gail Burke began the meeting by informing the board of a rural healthcare survey that was conducted at the Hyannis Clinic Monday, July 15. Burke explained that the results showed a need for a Doctor of Medicine (MD) or Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) at the clinic to see patients. Greater Nebraska Medical and Surgical Services (GNMSS) will implement an action plan to include sending a MD or DO to visit the clinic once a month for one to two hours to satisfy the survey findings.
Quality Management Specialist Summer Gonzalez also shared during the Infection Prevention and Control report that Infection Preventionist Amanda Sabo took the lead on a work group that consisted of several different departments to assess different risk categories. The risk categories include prevention, infections, multi-drug resistant organisms, stewardship, cleaning, sterilizations, environment of care, employee health, and state and local outbreaks. The assessment is required annually.
Chief Financial Officer Michael O’Dell spoke with the board about the financial status of BBGH during the fiscal year 2024 (FY24), and the financial impact of the Change Healthcare cyber-attack. O’Dell shared the Change Healthcare cyber-attack negatively impacted the hospitals financial standings, but BBGH plans to put the event in the past. O’Dell explained 82% of hospitals said their cashflow was impacted but BBGH still has a solid cash position to support operations.
Lastly, Chief Executive Officer Lori Mazanec shared statistics from the Nebraska Hospital Association Political Action Committee meeting with the board about Nebraska hospitals. Mazanec announced that 68% of Independent Critical Access Hospitals have had a challenging financial year and are most concerned with employee work force.
Employees recognized during the meeting included July Employee of the Month Registered Nurse Janelle Trickler, and BBGH July Wellness Champ Respiratory Therapist Richard Hunter. Surgical Tech and Unit Clerk Madison Smith was also recognized for being awarded a Nebraska Hospital Association Research and Education Foundation Health Care Career Laura Redouty Scholarship of $5,000. New employees at BBGH include Dietary Consultant Randy Sparrow, Staff Nurse Chantel Neely, Lab Techs Jeri Lee Hogan and Maria Aguilar, Occupational Therapy Assistant Cassia McDowell, Nurse Practitioner Kristine Benda, Radiology Supervisor Grace Maritim, Dialysis Tech Tori Bouydston, Special Services Manager Sandy Tant, Surgical Tech Kellie Kromer, Laundry Tech Kitana Brave, and Admissions Clerk Peggy Foults.
After entering into an Executive Session, the meeting adjourned at 1:10pm with no action taken.