New CEO meets with hospital board
"We're your hometown hospital and we're here to stay."
The new chief executive officer of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center wants former patients and clients of the facilities to write and tell him why they no longer patronize the local business.
"If someone has taken their business elsewhere, I want to know why," Tom Smith said.
Smith attended his first official board meeting Friday, assuming the top administrative position Oct. 18.
Marion County Hospital District #1 board of directors held the special meeting to approve payroll and payments of bills.
Since Oct. 1, the board has assumed operation responsibilities of the medical facilities when Banner HealthSystems declined to renew a contract with the hospital.
Smith reported to the board he held employee meetings.
"I assured them that we're here to stay," Smith said, "and want to grow." He will meet with doctors from Marion Family Physicians to discuss physician recruitment.
Smith has set the goals of grant research, meeting with community leaders, and a change in the hospital's billing statements.
Currently the hospital's bills have a 90-day payment deadline before being turned over to a collection agency. Smith would rather have the hospital's telephone number on it instead of the collection agency information to avoid alienation of patients.
Smith expressed his appreciation to chief financial officer Kevin Cronkleton for his assistance during the transition.
The board approved payroll of $84,000 which was distributed this past Monday. Employees receive paychecks every two weeks, Cronkleton said.
Checks totaling $140,000 for accounts payable were approved by the board.
Of that amount, $50,892 was to CPSI for computer software and training, new signs, medical forms, office supplies, medical equipment, and licensing fees — related to the transition. Other expenses were operating expenses, employee life and health insurance premiums, copier expenses, liability insurance premium, employee training, and fees to Quorum Health Resources, the district's consulting company.
A clarification was made regarding a $200 contract increase, approved Oct. 14, for anesthetist Bruce Skiles. The increase will begin Jan. 1, increasing Skiles monthly fee from $12,800 to $13,000.
In other business:
— Cronkleton reported the board was denied a lease agreement for computer equipment and software related to the transition with CitiCapital. He talked with a representative from CIT, an underwriter for UMB, and was told Banner's financial information would not be required for lease approval.
Cronkleton said he expected the application to be approved which would reimburse funds paid to CPSI with a monthly payment schedule to CIT.
— Training for a new encoder will be via webcast to save money, Cronkleton said.
Webcast training would be available for two weeks instead of a few days and would eliminate travel expense for a trainer on-site.
— Board chairman Gene Winkler asked the price to replace the St. Luke Integrated Services sign at Roosevelt and Main streets. Cronkleton said the cost would be about $600.
Winkler said he would like to see a sign incorporated for integrated services and the hospital.
Board member Martin Tice said he was not in favor of it, stating even though it is the district's building, it's not the district's business. Winkler said he would talk with the tenants and report at the next meeting.
Cronkleton pointed out the Marion Family Physicians clinic sign was different from the hospital even though the district owns the building.
— More research will be conducted regarding the possibility of adding liability protection for board members at a cost of approximately $1,000 per year.
The insurance would protect board members from liability issues because of decisions made affecting employees or patients.
Smith suggested Cronkleton check with other facilities.
— Smith and Cronkleton will present a policy at a future meeting related to the two officials being able to approve payroll without the board approval. This policy would eliminate the need for the board to meet only for that purpose, Cronkleton said.
— A final report from a recent inspection of the broiler was distributed.
— The board also reviewed the design and layout of hospital and living center advertising.
The regular monthly board meeting will be at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11, in the clinic building basement.
