Dayton Chronicle - Your Hometown News Source

DAYTON–A favorable financial report was conveyed to the Columbia County Health System Board Commissioners at the meeting on June 29. They also approved an investigation in to housing childcare on campus, transitioning health records, were advised of a Hall 1 Acute Care Project grant and new providers.

Financials reported at the monthly Board meeting for the Columbia County Health System (CCHS) reflected a favorable net income of $304,000. Five million dollars in Medicare prepayment funds retained during COVID continue to impact the cash on hand as Medicare withholds 50% of claims to recoup the remaining $1.5 million over the next month.

CFO Matt Minor presented the monthly financial report that reflected a net income of $304k for May. The inpatient revenue was above budget by $35k and outpatient revenue including clinics was $364k higher than budgeted. Operating expenses were $282k below budget. This was partly offset by purchased services of mostly contract labor which was $82k higher than budgeted. Medicare is currently retaining 50% of CCHS claims for repayment which should be recouped by the beginning of next month.

During COVID, Medicare allowed facilities to hold on to the annual prepayments of anticipated billing to offer a buffer for unanticipated costs due to the pandemic rather than repaying in a lump sum or through withholding a portion of claim payments as is usually the case. For CCHS the anticipated annually billing is $5 million so for most of 2020 and 2021 they retained one hundred percent. According to McGuire, this allowed the district to have a “safety net” which has inflated the days cash on hand until now that repayment is in process.

Once completed, Medicare will resume paying claims at 100% and cash on hand numbers should return to normal. McGuire said, “We remain incredibly grateful that the federal government was able to use this resource to stabilize our hospital along with hundreds of other facilities at a time when things were very unpredictable. This allowed us to retain staff and continue providing services like essential physical therapy and clinic services knowing that we had a safety net to get us through until better support solutions could take effect like the rounds of provider relief funding.”

CCHS has secured grant funding for the Hall 1 Acute Care Project of $1 million from HUD to be used by June of 2023 and another $840k from USDA. These plans are to connect Hall 1 to Acute Care and create two new negative air rooms. Last month the Board put project plans on hold at McGuire’s recommendation due to inflationary costs in hopes the construction market will catch up with the demands and costs will go down. McGuire said they are keeping a close watch over the next four to six months before they move forward to use the funds in time. Board Chair Bob Hutchens commended McGuire for recognizing the need to take a step back from the project.

CEO Shane McGuire was given authorization to investigate the possibility of offering on-site community childcare in the unused Hall 2 of Booker Rest Home. as well as the use of Meditech for transitioning to electronic health records.

In his administrator report, McGuire updated the Board on the efforts for developing a community childcare facility within the current budget of the federal and private funds awarded of $658,000 and that meets the “stringent, regulatory requirements” for childcare including being ADA compliant with fire sprinklers, proper ratio of children to bathrooms, and spaciously sized rooms for maximizing child to caregiver ratios that also have hand washing sinks. He requested authorization from the Board to pursue the possibility of offering community childcare onsite through repurposing Hall 2 of Booker Rest Home which is listed as one of the strategic goals.

If the childcare facility were housed there, it would meet many of the requirements including licensing and could be easily reconverted back to hospital use if needed later. In addition, snacks and meals would be provided through the already existing food service department. Spaces for childcare would be first come, first served, and McGuire emphasized the center would be run by an outside operator noting that the YWCA is still interested but they will solicit requests for qualifications of other interested parties.

Architects John and Alyson McLean who have worked with CCHS on many projects voiced support of the plan and have provided a preliminary design. The Board approved pursuing the possibility, and McGuire added that there will be future opportunities to continue discussion of the project for the community as plans progress.

The Board also approved the use of Meditech software at Minor’s and McGuire’s recommendation for converting to electronic health records. McGuire said they decided after reviewing various options, “This is the best product that meets the needs and objectives the stakeholders created at an amount we can afford.” The cost is $350,000 for the software and installation.

New providers are joining the staff and the Employee Management Engagement Team is working to bolster work environment and provide leadership training. The hire of Dr. Gary Underhill in the acute care emergency department who was previously contracted was announced.

Also, negotiations are underway for a provider for the collaborative clinic at Walla Walla University. Efforts for work culture improvement are ongoing. According to McGuire, the Employee Management Engagement Team is providing the administration and department heads leadership training including how to form and manage goals based on a “thoughtful approach” using the S.M.A.R.T. criterion: (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-based).