Hospital Board creates committee to determine use for former EACC building

The Hospital District No. 2 Board of Commissioners unanimously agreed during their Jan. 26 meeting to form a committee to decide the best option for the former East Adams Care Center (EACC) building.

The special committee, operating as the Facility Disposition Committee, will be tasked with establishing possible productive proposes of use for the building, and report back to the Board with recommendations.

Board Chairman Eric Walker explained the Committee would consist of the District CEO, CFO, two Board members, two members of the public and the Adams County Economic Development Director.

Stephen McFadden, Economic Development Director for Adams County, attended the meeting and accepted the position, as well as to serve as Chairman for the Committee. The Board members also agreeing to serve on the Committee are Stacey Plummer and Jerry Snyder.

Each member of the Committee will be a voting member, Walker explained, and McFadden is tasked with selecting two individuals from the community to serve on the Committee.

McFadden explained he has created a list of individuals he believes would serve well in the positions, and he will be approaching them about the opportunity in the upcoming weeks.

After the community meeting discussing the future of EACC, McFadden explained he approached CEO/CFO Gary Bostrom and Walker about completing a study to determine the best use for the land and the building.

McFadden said his recommendation is to start with an assessment of the structure and the landsite, and explore what redevelopment options are available.

The recommendation also includes commissioning a consultant to complete an infrastructure study of the building, and also mandating them to compile three to five options for the facility, as well as a cost-benefit analysis and rate of return for each option.

The most important factor for hiring the right consultant is ensuring they specialize in redevelopment use of facilities like EACC, McFadden said, and that they are from the Pacific Northwest.

The reality of the task is to look at the options, identify the cost to implement each one, as well as consider the possibility of demolition, McFadden said. The bottom line is ensuring there is not an unnecessary loss of taxpayer dollars, he continued.

McFadden said the Committee will come back to the Board with a formalized recommendation in writing with the cost associated with their recommended project. After the conception process is complete, McFadden recommended an Open House for members of the public to weigh in on the options as well.

If completing a request for qualifications or request for proposals, McFadden estimated the best recommendation with appropriate time could be presented within 12 months.

The Committee will begin scheduling meetings after the members of the public are selected, and will submit reports to the Board after each meeting to report on their progress.

Along with the future of the building, Michele Johnston provided an update regarding the transition of patients from the EACC facility. Johnston said things have been moving quicker than expected, and there are only two patients expected to be unable to move by the end of the week.

Johnston said of the current residents, three are expected to make the move to the hospital. She stated these residents will not be moved until all other residents have been transferred to the facilities of their choice.

Beds at the hospital will be available both for intermediate swing bed residents and acute care patients. Bostrom said the estimated number of residents for an ideal reimbursement rate is six to eight patients.

Bostrom explained the majority of staff members from EACC are expected to be retained through employment at the hospital. However, he reported four positions will not be available.

Board Member Jerry Crossler stated the District should consider severance pay for those four individuals, as they are part of the District family.

Bostrom explained the procedure is to post a list of jobs available at the hospital with the EACC staff, and each employee has to submit a letter of intent to the department head if they are interested in applying.

Bostrom said all things considered, not filling four positions is better than expected. There is also the potential members of the current EACC staff will not be interested in joining the hospital staff, because they want to continue in long term care nursing facilities.

Initially, the District will hire additional staff with the anticipation for an increase in intermediate swing care residents. Chief Nursing Office (CNO) Brenda Herr explained the goal is to keep as many people employed as possible in the community, and if six to eight swing bed residents are at the hospital, the District can maintain the staff.

Along with preparing for the transition, Johnston said the EACC administration is continuing to work on reimbursements. Since Dec. 1, she stated they have collected $125,471 in aged Medicaid, and $52,777 has been collected for aged Medicare.

Bostrom provided a financial update for the District, stating in the first nine months of operation for 2016 at EACC, the facility lost around $800,000. Combined with the hospital, the District recorded a lost of nearly $2 million.

The remodel of the facility cost the hospital a lot of business, Bostrom explained, and limited the services provided. Phase C of the project has now been completed, and Bostrom said they are quickly transitioning back into that portion of the building.

The only room not currently in use in Phase C is the safe room, Bostrom said, as they are waiting on the bulletproof glass to be installed.

Along with moving into the newly remodeled portion of the hospital, Bostrom added the District billed for ultrasound tests for the first time. With having all services being provided again, Bostrom expects the District to move back towards having a positive bottom line.

With the completion of Phase C, the District is planning to host a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on March 30 from 4-7 p.m. The event will include door prizes, booths, introductions of individuals involved with the project, and tours of the facility.

Life Flight will also be landing on the helipad with their two-person helicopter to allow visitors with an opportunity to view the inside of the machine.

Updates regarding the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony will continue to be announced at upcoming Board meetings. The purpose of the event is to celebrate the completion of the project and recognize the community for their support.

The next meeting of the Hospital Board of Commissioners is Feb. 23 at 5:30 p.m. in the hospital conference room, located in the basement.