Topping the agenda was a review of the ER open house held September 21. Tom Keim, hospital CEO, said the board was delighted with the turnout of over 500.

“The board was proud to finally get a chance to show off this new facility,” said Keim. “I think the community was very much impressed.”

Keim explained that since the new ER is now complete, the front parking lot needs to be reconstructed.

“It’s a necessary evil, but we’ll do our best to minimize the inconvenience,” said Keim. “The front parking lot will be closed for approximately four weeks, and we’ll re-route visitors and patients to the parking lot off Pine Street across from the fire station during the interim. Signage both outside and inside the hospital is in place and we have staff in place to help people get where they need to be.”

Keim also explained that weekly meetings have once again begun with the architectural firm of ArchImages for the redesign of the hospital frontage and main lobby.

Keim said a new phone and paging system is now in place hospital wide and will increase the efficiency of the hospital’s internal and external communications.

The board heard a report on the advantages of the new Vein Viewer that is being used throughout the hospital. The Vein Viewer is revolutionary technology that allows medical professionals to clearly see the veins beneath the skin's surface, avoiding repeated needle sticks when trying to find difficult-to-see veins.

The board approved hospital credentials for Vilray Blair, MD, an orthopedic surgeon and Holly Huelskamp, nurse practitioner, who will be working with Dr. Scott VanNess in the orthopedic clinic. This additional staff will allow the hospital to increase its orthopedic coverage.

The board also approved credentialing for Karen Lamb, an audiologist in the specialty clinic. She will provide audiologist services and support for our additional ear, nose and throat physicians.

The hospital has assembled a task force to possibly offer after hours medical services for evenings and weekends.

“This is very much in preliminary stages,” said Keim. “We do understand that nothing is more important than your health—and when you or a loved one is sick, it doesn’t matter where you are or what time it is—you need help. A visit to a doctor’s office during normal business hours isn’t always feasible. What happens now is if you get sick after clinic hours or on the weekend, the only alternative you have is to come to our Emergency Room or travel 30 – 40 minutes to an after-hours clinic.  We know we can develop a better program and better options for our community.”

A review of the monthly financial report showed that the hospital and Riverview-at-the-Park combined had a gain in operations of $174,050 for the month of August. Adding non-operating revenue from taxes and contributions, a net income of $986,401 was realized year-to-date.

There were 90 discharges of hospitalized patients in August, and 520 patient visits to the ER in June, compared to 479 in August, 2007.