LHD board sets officers slate
The Lavaca Hospital District Board of Directors met Monday evening held its election of officers and committee members for next year.
Prior to setting the board’s officers and committee members, Lavaca County Clerk, Barbara Steffek conducted swearing-in ceremonies for board members Carl Hobbs Place 1), Ronnie Juenke (Place 3), Gene Schott (Place 5) and , Forrest Kroschel (Place 7).
With all three present officers agreeing to serve their roles, the board approved James Fenner (president), Rosanne Gallia (vice-president), and Gene Schott (secretary).
Board members placed on committees include:
• Executive – James Fenner and Gene Schott.
• Building, Grounds and Equipment committee – Gene Schott and Rosanne Gallia.
• Finance and Planning (compliance, total quality management and strategic plan) – Carl Hobbs, Doug Kubicek and James Fenner.
• Medical staff credentials – James Fenner and Forrest Kroschel.
• Hospital Auxiliary – James Fenner, Ronnie Juenke and Forrest Kroschel.
Premier Sleep Disorder Presentation:
The board heard from Eileen Goss, technical director with the Premier Sleep Disorder Center based in Victoria. Goss said they have two beds at Lavaca Medical Center and conduct lab-based sleep studies through diagnostic testing and PAP titrations.
She said they also conduct home sleep tests if needed and also day time testing that is done only in Victoria.
Goss shared facts about sleep apnea that include:
• Many people have sleep apnea but don’t know it.
• Sleep apnea is not just for overweight men who snore. They treat all types of individuals.
• Sleep apnea may seem like depression, fatigue or something else.
• Sleep apnea can lead to serious complications including high blood pressure, diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.
• There are things can be done to treat sleep apnea including CPAC machine as well as other items coming out on the market.
Medical Staff Applications:
The board accepted a list of medical staff applications presented by LMC chief of staff Dr. Maurice Wilkinson.
Physicians whose applications were accepted include:
• Advancement from Provisional Consulting Staff – Lise Labiche, M.D., Zachary Norman, M.D. and Elizabeth North, D.O. all in neurology telemedicine. Matthew Murray, M.D. in radiology.
• Application for Provisional Active Staff – Kody Selzer, M.D. in family medicine.
• Application for Provisional Consulting Staff – Christian Burrell, M.D. in neurology telemedicine.
• Addendum to Allied Health Personnel Privileges – Julia Groves, CRNA in anesthesiology.
Administration/Financial Report:
Lavaca Medical Center administrator, Steve Bowen, presented the administration and financial report for April.
Bowen presented a Press-Gainey survey that is given to each patient who visits the clinic. He said the survey showed the clinic had a 90% rating in all categories.
Bowen reported the Parkinson’s Walk held last month was a huge success with between 70 to 80 individuals participating.
He said they plan to do this event each year.
Regarding the recently held Health Fair at LMC, Bowen said it too was a huge success with 55 booths and more than 250 people attending it.
Bowen reported on the project schedule for the Wellness/PT department. He said he hopes to present the final drawing to the building and grounds committee in early July and with their approval bring it to the July board meeting. Bowen said he hopes to then go out for bids and the board has++wwthe opportunity to select a contractor in August or September.
Bowen spoke about changed management, which involved the filing of claims with United Health Insurance.
He said on Feb. 20, the changed management was hacked and all claims were stopped by the company and meant no cash flow for LMC.
Bowen said they immediately were able to find another vendor and started filing all new claims. Since March 10 they have a second vendor on board and are starting to file the old claims.
“When it (changed management) shutdown, our cash flow shutdown,” Bowen said. “Right now, all claims are being processed and cash flow is back to where it used to be.”
Bowen reported LMC received a $200 thousand grant from the Johnson Foundation and will be filing for a Capital Improvement grant for $123 thousand. The two grants will make it possible to purchase a 3D mammography machine that cost $323 thousand.
He said LMC recently conducted over 500 athletic physicals for Hallettsville, Sacred Heart and Shiner schools.
Bowen said they have applied for a state broad band grant.
Regarding the financial report, Bowen presented a summary of the month.
He said ER visits and surgeries were up, but admissions were down 22%. The average length of patient stay in the hospital was 4.8 days and the average daily patient numbers was 3.2 patients.
In other action taken by the board:
• Approved a resolution appointing Lavaca County tax assessor/collector, Deborah Sevcik, to perform LHD’s effective tax rate and rollback rate.
Board president James Fenner presided over the meeting with board members Gene Schott, Roseanne Gallia, Doug Kubicek, Carl Hobbs, Forrest Kroschel and Ronnie Juenke attending the meeting.