EASTERN PLUMAS HEALTH CARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS met on Thursday, February 4th through teleconference.
President Gail McGrath gave the Auxiliary Report, stating in November they made $5,434, and December showed a net profit of $4,400, but added the 2020 profit is about $30,000 less than last year.
Michelle Romero reported on COVID stating they were continuing to work with public health on vaccines. EPHC had its first vaccines on Dec. 22nd and added the supply is their biggest challenge. She said they would be receiving 200 doses the following week and would be delivering it to those 75 and older. Romero was happy to state that no Skilled Nursing residents have had COVID since this pandemic started.
Penny Holland gave the Chief Nursing Officer’s report and stated on the acute side things, they are consistently COVID ready with full PPE. Anyone with respiratory symptoms are put in different areas. She said they are still not taking any swing patients because of COVID and continue to have staffing challenges in looking for good qualified nurses.
Human Resources Director Lori Tange reported the 3rd quarter turnover was 5% and have been breaking even in backfilling vacant positions. She said they have been fortunate to see a steady flow of qualified candidates and are bringing talented people on. Tange concluded by stating the Executive te-
am met to work on new strategies.
Skilled Nursing Director Lorraine Noble reported having no COVID with any patients and still had a few residents that need their second vaccine. The 2019 average census was 52 residents, 2020 average was 54, and could possibly have 4 more residents this month and Portola would be full. She stated she couldn’t admit any more in Loyalton because of the CNA shortage right now. A state surveyor visited in January and looked at nine different items. There were no deficiencies for eight items and one deficiency for a self-report that wasn’t reported in a timely manner.
AN AUDIT PRESENTATION for EPHC was given by Jerrel Tucker of JWT & Associates to the Board of Directors at their regular meeting held Thursday, February 4th through teleconference. Tucker said it had been interesting times as he hadn’t been on site for an audit since April of last year. He commended Chief Financial Officer Katherine Pairish and her staff for the excellent job in helping him to get all documents since they had to do it remotely. Tucker explained EPHC had a clean opinion, which he stated was the opinion you want and have had that the last several years. There were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies identified relating to the Hospital’s internal controls and there were no reportable findings. There were no audit adjustments and only one late client entry. Total Profit and Loss impact was $504k increase.
There were no difficulties encountered with management in performing their audit and had no disputes or disagreements with management during the course of the audit.
Tucker concluded by stating EPHC was doing quite well on all of the benchmarks.
EASTERN PLUMAS HEALTH CARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS appointed Augustine Corcoran of Sierra Brooks unanimously after discussion during its regular meeting held by teleconference on Tuesday, February 4th. During the discussion, President Gail McGrath said she spent some time mulling this appointment over, as they never before have had such qualified candidates. She wanted to make sure all three had a place to help and to be a part of the hospital community. McGrath stated Dr. Hughes said he could do anything to help the institution and didn’t need to be a board member to do that. He was willing to work for the foundation or anything else they needed. She said Dr. Adams had more freedom to accomplish the goals he stated as a doctor rather than a board member.
McGrath concluded by stating they have wanted anotherboard member from Loyalton and felt Augustine Corcoran was a good choice. Director Dr. Paul Swanson asked what best supported the hospital and felt it was a matter of experience and thought it should be important to the Board. He likened it to the past CEO who Swanson helped hire based on personality. He felt Dr. Hughes’ experience was valuable. McGrath was comfortable in choosing Corcoran and felt it important to have a strong representative from Loyalton. She said Corcoran understands the culture of his community and it was important for the two communities to come together. Director Theresa Whitfield made the motion for Corcoran as the new board member. He will be sworn in at the next meeting on Thursday, February 25th.
President Gail McGrath gave the Auxiliary Report, stating in November they made $5,434, and December showed a net profit of $4,400, but added the 2020 profit is about $30,000 less than last year.
Michelle Romero reported on COVID stating they were continuing to work with public health on vaccines. EPHC had its first vaccines on Dec. 22nd and added the supply is their biggest challenge. She said they would be receiving 200 doses the following week and would be delivering it to those 75 and older. Romero was happy to state that no Skilled Nursing residents have had COVID since this pandemic started.
Penny Holland gave the Chief Nursing Officer’s report and stated on the acute side things, they are consistently COVID ready with full PPE. Anyone with respiratory symptoms are put in different areas. She said they are still not taking any swing patients because of COVID and continue to have staffing challenges in looking for good qualified nurses.
Human Resources Director Lori Tange reported the 3rd quarter turnover was 5% and have been breaking even in backfilling vacant positions. She said they have been fortunate to see a steady flow of qualified candidates and are bringing talented people on. Tange concluded by stating the Executive te-
am met to work on new strategies.
Skilled Nursing Director Lorraine Noble reported having no COVID with any patients and still had a few residents that need their second vaccine. The 2019 average census was 52 residents, 2020 average was 54, and could possibly have 4 more residents this month and Portola would be full. She stated she couldn’t admit any more in Loyalton because of the CNA shortage right now. A state surveyor visited in January and looked at nine different items. There were no deficiencies for eight items and one deficiency for a self-report that wasn’t reported in a timely manner.
AN AUDIT PRESENTATION for EPHC was given by Jerrel Tucker of JWT & Associates to the Board of Directors at their regular meeting held Thursday, February 4th through teleconference. Tucker said it had been interesting times as he hadn’t been on site for an audit since April of last year. He commended Chief Financial Officer Katherine Pairish and her staff for the excellent job in helping him to get all documents since they had to do it remotely. Tucker explained EPHC had a clean opinion, which he stated was the opinion you want and have had that the last several years. There were no material weaknesses or significant deficiencies identified relating to the Hospital’s internal controls and there were no reportable findings. There were no audit adjustments and only one late client entry. Total Profit and Loss impact was $504k increase.
There were no difficulties encountered with management in performing their audit and had no disputes or disagreements with management during the course of the audit.
Tucker concluded by stating EPHC was doing quite well on all of the benchmarks.
EASTERN PLUMAS HEALTH CARE BOARD OF DIRECTORS appointed Augustine Corcoran of Sierra Brooks unanimously after discussion during its regular meeting held by teleconference on Tuesday, February 4th. During the discussion, President Gail McGrath said she spent some time mulling this appointment over, as they never before have had such qualified candidates. She wanted to make sure all three had a place to help and to be a part of the hospital community. McGrath stated Dr. Hughes said he could do anything to help the institution and didn’t need to be a board member to do that. He was willing to work for the foundation or anything else they needed. She said Dr. Adams had more freedom to accomplish the goals he stated as a doctor rather than a board member.
McGrath concluded by stating they have wanted anotherboard member from Loyalton and felt Augustine Corcoran was a good choice. Director Dr. Paul Swanson asked what best supported the hospital and felt it was a matter of experience and thought it should be important to the Board. He likened it to the past CEO who Swanson helped hire based on personality. He felt Dr. Hughes’ experience was valuable. McGrath was comfortable in choosing Corcoran and felt it important to have a strong representative from Loyalton. She said Corcoran understands the culture of his community and it was important for the two communities to come together. Director Theresa Whitfield made the motion for Corcoran as the new board member. He will be sworn in at the next meeting on Thursday, February 25th.
