Abusive patient sparks security discussions
Security updates have been discussion topics at Melissa Memorial Hospital, said Interim CEO Cathy Harshbarger during her administrator report to the board of directors of the East Phillips County Hospital District at their regular meeting Tuesday, Jan. 28.
These discussions came up after a patient was abusive toward staff at MMH.
Harshbarger said they have been looking at quick steps to increase security, such as a new visitor check-in process, drills and practices for staff, and more. Other potential ideas are more long-term, such as hiring security guards and offering defensive training to staff.
MMH had been in contact with Holyoke Police Department regarding the incident and had also talked to a chaplain who was willing to go to the hospital to debrief the staff.
Harshbarger noted the importance of staff being able to follow their plans and procedures during high-intensity situations like this in addition to adhering to the rights of the patients.
Also in her administrator update, Harshbarger said MMH was busy with state surveyors on site that week. She noted they had gotten great feedback, which was reflective of the great job done by MMH staff members.
She has also been busy working on marketing plans for physician and nurse practitioner recruitment.
Operating days cash on hand decreases again
An ongoing concern of MMH is the operating days cash on hand, which continues to drop well below the 100 days cash on hand it needs to have to be in compliance.
In his financial report last Tuesday, Chief Financial Officer Wes White said, “As anticipated and reported last month, the lower projected deposits during December resulted in days cash on hand decreasing during the month of December.”
Operating days cash on hand was 67 days, down nine from 76 days the prior month, calculated using 12 months of average operating expenses less depreciation.
White noted that payments expected from Medicare should improve the days cash on hand as well as higher collections estimated for the month of January.
Other business
In other business at the Jan. 28 meeting, the board:
— Approved Harshbarger as the designated election official for board elections in May.
— Reviewed Policy 1.1 regarding people with illness or injury achieving optimum outcomes, Policy 2.0 regarding general management constraint and Policy 4.2 regarding board job products.
— Heard a report by Director of Quality Jenn Cano.
— Heard an update on the storage containers that will be placed near the ambulance shed.
— Approved credentials for new appointments Robert Cirillo Jr., M.D., radiology, and Tyler Neitlich, M.D., diagnostic radiology. Re-appointments included Laura Marinello, PA-C, physician assistant; Stefani Parrisbalogun, M.D., telepsychiatry; Alison Samee, M.D., telepsychiatry; and Keith Vok, AGACNP, nurse practitioner.
— Held an executive session for personnel.