Hospital Board discusses EACC financials

Among a full agenda during the Feb. 25 Adams County Public Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners meeting, the primary topic of conversation revolved around the current financial situation of East Adams Care Center (EACC) and the future plans for the facility.

CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom explained the initial year-end result for EACC shows the facility losing an estimated $600,000 in the months of operation. Bostrom said the total estimation of loss for an entire year exceeds $800,000.

With the financial concern, and due to the fact the hospital district has already transferred over $1 million to the facility; Bostrom said the commissioners needed to reevaluate the needs and operation of EACC.

EACC Administrator Josh Hannum explained the facility is also expecting to lose five-six patients in the upcoming weeks. With the decrease of residents, the facility will only have an estimated 15 residents, while the “breakeven” point for EACC is 30 residents.

Bostrom expressed the concern for leaving employees without a definite answer in regards to employment. The Facilities Committee recommended the Board establish a timeline for revaluation or closure of EACC within the upcoming year.

Hannum said the facility is planning on maintaining a lower census number in order to help EACC have a more stable environment.

This would lead to adjustments in staffing at EACC, Hannum said, but they will work with the hospital to see what jobs can be absorbed at that facility.

The reduced census of an estimated 15 residents would assist with consistent income at EACC, but would not mean there is not availability for additional residents of potential future growth, Hannum explained.

Hannum has been actively marketing the facility by visiting Spokane area hospitals and EACC is beginning to receive more referrals, however, the patients would be costly for the facility because of their specific needs, he explained.

Commissioner Eric Walker said the board needed to establish a timeline to address the facility, after the changes had been implemented. Overall, Walker said he believed the Board should work on gaining community input to determine the needs and wants of the local citizens regarding the future of EACC.

Community members present at the meeting expressed concern regarding taxpayers having to be responsible to keep EACC afloat in the future.

They also pointed out the conversation between the Commissioners was the same one the Board and the community had a year ago when the hospital district assumed responsibility of the facility.

Commissioner Jerry Crossler stressed the importance of the Board and the staff at the facility needing to promote EACC in a positive manner. Keeping a positive attitude will attract more people to EACC and the employees deserve to have job security to increase morale, Crossler said.

“The facility needs to stay open. Once we lose it, it won’t come back,” Crossler stated.

Walker agreed, but added the Board needed to provide a timeline for EACC, as the facility cannot continue to “bleed indefinitely” and expect to be funded by the hospital district. At the same time, Walker reminded the Board and members of the public that EACC is still a new business, and deserves a chance to establish themselves as a business.

Commissioner Jerry Snyder advised Hannum to work on alternative options and present them at the March meeting. Snyder moved the Commissioners support the recommendation of the Facilities Committee and evaluate the viability of EACC after Dec. 31, and the motion passed unanimously.

During the meeting, Bostrom also provided an update regarding construction at the hospital. The clinic rooms in the new addition of the hospital are beginning to be utilized and the hospital administration staff are planning to move into the new office space in the upcoming week.

Bostrom said the architect on the project is replacing the flooring in the clinic portion of the facility at their cost, as the current flooring is not the agreed upon floor. The flooring is expected to be installed prior to the end of the week.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commissioners approved for the replacement EMS levy to be placed on the April ballot. This is a six-year levy for a total collection of $255,000 for the support of emergency medical care and services.

The estimated rate of collection is $.36 per thousand of assessed valuation.