EARH Board touches on number of topics at monthly meeting

The East Adams Rural Healthcare (EARH) Board met on March 28 for its regular meeting. All board members were present.

Two guests visited to make presentations: Sharon Shelton, on behalf of Eide Bailly LLP, and Sharon DeGroot, who is consulting for the Grand Columbia Health Alliance (GCHA). Shelton began with slide charts of how EARH is progressing since finance operational proposals had been put in place.

Shelton reported that claims are being paid more promptly and said that with the currently trained staff, the improvements should carry on once Eide Bailly is no longer consulting for EARH. Shelton did note that it does take time to train new staff in the event of staff turnover. CEO Gary Bostrom explained he would like to back out of the need for Eide Bailly as soon as possible, yet is cognizant of the need to keep staff trained, as well as cleaning up credit balance accounts before his impending retirement.

DeGroot spoke regarding compliance with the requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). HIPAA has four main purposes: Health Information Privacy; Electronic Records Security; Administrative Simplification; and Insurance Portability. She explained persons violating HIPAA regulations are excluded from work, and identified employee groups and staff who bear responsibility to abide by regulations, which includes employees, medical staff, vendors, board members and volunteers. She reinforced the need for EARH to provide continuing training and supervision to insure compliance with HIPAA.

DeGroot spent some time explaining the effects of “ransomware”—hackers who shut down computer systems until a ransom is paid or a specific behavior occurs in order to have the computers re-opened for use. She also discussed “phishing” activities on e-mail, noting that certain characteristics often indicate that an email is part of a phishing process: late-hour time of receipt of the message, poor spelling or grammar and an absence of a Microsoft emblem indicating safe e-mail.

Dr. Charles Sackmann next spoke in appreciation for the high levels of performance in the laboratory. He also touched on the opioid problem, saying that minimum prescription and maximum monitoring is needed. He said that the major problem is illegally imported prescriptions.

Commissioner John Kragt asked the doctor about the ambulance transport ability in the area, and Dr. Sackmann responded that he is pretty satisfied with functional ambulance service. He noted that the personnel are of good character and enjoy their work. Within the context that a situation could possibly occur to stretch ambulance availability, he stated he is not aware of any specific shortage problems.

Sackmann did add that EARH could use more EMTs. There is an EMT class coming up, however it is difficult to find instructors and it is also difficult for students to pass the national class. After a discussion stemming from complaints regarding the immediate availability of ambulances, the board requested when a complaint is aired, to write up a report to the board for follow-up.

Bostrom made his report. Regarding the GCHA, he reported Chelan’s hospital, Lake Chelan Community Hospital, wants to join the alliance. CEO Bostrom mentioned two ideas of Lake Chelan Community Hospital joining the alliance, possibly as a hub-and-spoke organization, or by possibly issuing them “secondary” status.

Dr. Sackmann asked if there had been any look at purchasing electronic health records (“EPIC”) and Bostrom replied that Moses Lake’s hospital is going with EPIC; the group has not. He also called attention to a letter-of-intent for the Gibraltar purchase of the Nursing Home. A motion for the CEO to sign was passed unanimously. John Kragt asked that there be a “Cash Receipts” line on the financial reports, and CEO Bostrom agreed.

EARH is having trouble finding physician assistants, and the lack of emergency room experience among candidates seems to be the negative factor. A discussion followed, where it was discussed that a nurse practitioner in a hospital setting needs back-up by an MD doctor, whereas in a clinic setting they are allowed to do nearly anything independently. Two nurse practitioners are available, but neither has ER experience. Commissioner Kragt asked if it is possible to set up schedules so they can shadow and become familiar with ER practice.

A discussion ensued regarding retention of the search firm, Merritt Hawkins, to assist finding doctors for EARH. They are quite expensive, but very effective in their work for clients, claiming a 92 percent success rate with a retention rate of 87 percent over three years. Dr. Sackmann reported that they send mailers two times a week to all available doctors as part of their search for doctor candidates.

Bostrom asked if is possible to have them search for two doctors at the same rate as the search required for one, and Kragt stated that he favors spending dollars to make dollars (i.e.: obtaining more doctors to staff the EARH). A motion to retain the Merritt Hawkins search firm passed unanimously.

The next EARH Board meeting is set for April 25 at 5:30 p.m. in the EARH conference room.