Box Butte General Hospital Board of Trustees met on June 30, 2025, in the Alliance Room to approve the fiscal year 2025 budget, review updates to the revenue cycle, and discuss new policies. The board recognized the Employee of the Month and welcomed new employees. Credentialing requests, the consent calendar, and the latest financial report were approved.
Quality and Safety Report
Quality Management Specialist Summer Gonzalez presented two reports to the board. The first outlined the hospital’s Performance Improvement Projects and Key Performance Indicators. These projects will include department meetings to provide education and collect data for improvements to patient care. The board will need to approve these items as they are completed. The second report included Workplace Violence incidents from 2023-2025. There had been an escalation in verbally aggressive patients in 2024 which was mitigated by implementing strict guidelines for staff-patient interactions and distributing formal letters to patients. Gonzalez and Interim Chief Executive Officer Dr. Brian Shelmadine agreed that increased training for staff in de-escalation practices and education for the patients has reduced workplace violence incidents.
Staff Reports
Chief of Staff Dr. Narjes shared that no new local measles cases have been reported. While there were some cases of hand, foot, and mouth disease, they are now declining. Dr. Narjes announced the latest technology, Jada, is now available at BBGH. The Jada System is an advanced device used by OB providers to manage postpartum hemorrhage, a serious and potentially life-threatening complication of childbirth. Dr. Shelmadine reported on successful recruitment of providers to cover the Emergency Department and Patient Care Unit. Dr. Shelmadine also thanked Michael O’Dell for his dedicated service to BBGH.
Financial Report
The Lutz Accounting Firm has stepped into the interim Chief Financial Officer role. Accountant Paul Baumert introduced the firm, which works primarily with critical access hospitals in 13 states. Lutz reported there will be an increase in the receivable payments from Medicare from 36% to 43% which will improve the hospital’s financial position. Tegria, a consulting company, will submit a proposal to assist with the revenue cycle improvements. The State of Nebraska received approval from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). BBGH will be responsible for the assessment fees in order to receive those payments in the fall. The fiscal year 2025 budget was presented and approved by the board.
Chief Operation Officer Gabe Behling reported that the Meditech/Tegria optimization project is 42% complete. The project is on track for completion in August. Behling noted that one major improvement that is near completion is the Patient Portal. This is an online program to allow patients to view their appointments, locate and pay their bills, and view their results. Other improvements are continuing to be implemented by Tegria and the staff which will positively affect the revenue cycle and the quality of care provided to patients.
Employee Recognition
The Employee of the Month for June, Speech Language Pathologist Patrick Duldulao, was recognized at the meeting. The Board was also introduced to new employees including Rehab Clerk Linda Christie, Lab Tech Meridith Gonzales, Special Services Manager Paulette Schnell, Pharmacist Leigha Curtiss-Shouldis, Teacher Assistant Kristina Kramer, Environmental Services Tech Liliana Andersen, and Medical Assistant Rachelle Sutton-Corbett.
The meeting moved into executive session at 1:15 p.m. The next board meeting is set for July 28, 2025, at noon in the Alliance Room. The public is welcome to attend.