HomeMy WebLinkAbout20144037 NCMC BOARD OF TRUSTEES
Regular Session Meeting
Monday, October 27, 2014
Attachment 1
Minutes of Regular Session of
September 29, 2014 *
* - Action Required
NCMC Board of Trustees
Regular Session Minutes
Monday, September 29, 2014
12:00 Noon
The Board of Trustees of North Colorado Medical Center met in Regular Session on Monday,
September 29, 2014, in the Richard Stenner Boardroom located at North Colorado Medical
Center. Mr. Houtchens declared a quorum and called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m.
ATTENDANCE REPORT
NCMC Board of Trustees: Thomas Grant, Brandon Houtchens, Mark Lawley, Dave Owen,
Michael Simone, and Sean Conway (Commissioner, non-voting member), with Dr. Susan
Carter being excused
Banner Health: Wendy Sparks (NCMC COO), with Rick Sutton (NCMC CEO) being excused
Staff: Ken Schultz (Board Executive)
Recording Clerk: Esther Gesick (Weld County Clerk to the Board)
PUBLIC COMMENT
There was no public comment.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
It was MSC (GRANT/SIMONE) to approve the minutes from the August 25, 2014, Regular
Session meeting.
NEW BUSINESS
NONE
CEO REPORT or COO REPORT
NCMC COO, Wendy Sparks, gave the following report:
• The Banner Fort Collins Medical Center is scheduled to open on April 6, 2015. There are
212 positions to be filled, and the internal postings will be selected by the end of
October. Any remaining positions will be backfilled with external applicants, and 438
applications have been submitted to-date. The new Fort Collins Medical Center will
generate more volume for NCMC because surgeries and higher-level care will still come
to Greeley.
• Patient Satisfaction: Year-to-date the organization is meeting target or stretch on 6 of 7
dimensions and they are on track to hit every one.
• Quality Score Card: Currently hitting target on 6 of 10 quality strategic initiatives and
the teams are actively in place to continue improvement.
• Physician recruiting is ongoing.
• August financials: There was an operating gain of$3.1 million against a budget of$1.8
million, which equals a $1.34 million positive variance and very strong volumes. In
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response to an inquiry, Ken Schultz indicated the bottom line earnings are very similar
to last year; however, they are generating the same level of earnings with fewer
procedures as a result of optimization and new criteria set by the government.
• Year-to-Date the Greeley community is ahead of budget by $6.1 million.
• Master Campus: The work on the second MRI on campus began last week, the Cancer
Center project will include a new linear accelerator, and the Oncology volume is over
double.
VISITATION REPORTS
REHABILITATION
Michael Simone met with Joe Schroeder, on September 16, 2014. A written copy of the
visitation report is attached as a part of these minutes.
LABORATORY SERVICES
Mark Lawley met with lab staff, on September 24, 2014. A written copy of the visitation
report is attached as a part of these minutes.
VISITATIONS FOR OCTOBER
Dr. Susan Carter
David Owen
NCMC, INC. REPORT
Brandon Houtchens reported the Finance Committee is continuing to scrutinize the work of
group that works to maximize return on investments. He stated they are also addressing
the status of the pension obligations that were carried over in the mid-1990's as part of the
arrangement when Lutheran became the operator of the hospital, which subsequently
became Banner Health. He explained part of that agreement led NCMC Inc. to continue the
pension obligations. Ken Schultz added the benefits were frozen in 1995; however, there
are approximately 540 current or terminated employees who are still affected by the plan
and they are deferring election even when they have met the Rule of 80, so NCMC Inc. is
trying to get them to elect a method of payment. Brandon stated they would like to sell it
to an insurance company to satisfy the pension obligations in an effort to save money and
reduce liability and administrative costs. Ken stated $4.4 million was wired to the bank last
week to fully fund the pension plan, remove the liability, and better focus the premium to
be competitive. Brandon further stated they are working with Dr. Tim Jarus, Monfort
College of Business, to give input on improving the Investment Policy Statement.
COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
• Commissioner Conway reported the Commissioners are taking applications for the current
NCMC Trustee vacancy, interviews will take place next week, and they hope to have a new
trustee present for the next meeting.
• He reported the Early Warning Budget sessions took place on September 16th, and the
Board will make budget decisions on October 14th in preparation of the Final Budget,
including a decrease in the mill levy and investing $70 million into maintenance of public
roadways. They are also investing $100 million for the design and construction of CR 49
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(also known as the Weld County Parkway project from 1-76 up to State Highway 392, then
up to Highway 14) to divert truck traffic from U.S. Highway 85. He stated the project was
originally scheduled as a 10-year project, which has been expedited to be completed by
2018, including building one of the largest bridges in Colorado on Highway 34 at CR 47.
• He stated they have an agreement with the Mt. View Fire Protection District to place a
tower and improve emergency radio communications to overlap in Boulder County. He
explained the County has funded $18 million in the last 15 years to upgrade the towers,
communications center, dispatch, etc., and they are working to ensure that going forward
there is adequate funding with all the users. Mark Lawley commented there needs to be a
better cost/share going forward as population continues to grow.
• Commissioner Conway stated the biggest economic challenges are the lack of commercial
structures and workforce demand, noting the complications of drug testing eliminating
many employment candidates.
OTHER BUSINESS
None.
PLANNING SESSION
No discussion was held on scheduling a future planning session.
ADJOURN
There being no further business to come before the Board, it was MSC [SIMONE/LAWLEY]
to adjourn the meeting at 1:13 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Esther Gesick
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Rehabilitation Visit
September 16, 2014
Mike Simone
Department History:
Name of contact:Joe Schroeder, PT, DPT
Outpatient Rehab Sr. Manager
History of contact: Joe has been a physical therapist since 2005 and senior manager for outpatient
rehabilitation since 2013.
Services Provided: Physical and occupational therapy, hand therapy,functional capacity evaluations(lots of
equipment from the oil fields in the clinic), neurologic pediatric physical therapy, and work conditioning (for
those who have been injured and need to get back to work).
Number of Staff:full-time and part-time and what fields: 17 physical therapists, 5 occupational therapists, 2
speech therapists, 3 physical therapy assistants, 9 financial services/front desk.
Revenues/Budgets If Relevant Joe said he had no concerns and they operate in the black. He said he is
currently going through his first budget process.
Successes: Joe shared three successes with me.The first was about an 8 year old stroke victim who had
foot drop. He was able to collaborate with orthopedists, help develop custom orthotics and the results were
good.The second story concerned a high school football player with 2nd impact syndrome(this is a second
concussion before the patient recovered from the first). He suffered hemiparesis(weakness, not paralysis,
on one side)with drooling. He was treated with PT, OT and speech therapy--along with the accelerator
machine—and the patient recovered well and is on his way to college.And the third story was about a
successful total knee replacement of a nurse consultant who had a close connection to Mary McKee.
Challenges/Obstacles: Joe is worried his department won't be able to handle increasing referrals in 2015
from the increased numbers of doctors being hired by Banner. The large Increases In Medicaid patients
from changes due to the Affordable Care Act is putting a strain on his department and it is getting more
difficult to see all patients quickly.They have a waiting list and do their best to triage. Post surgical patients
generally go to the top of the list. Joe is also concerned the increased percentage of Medicaid patients,with
lower reimbursements, may significantly affect the bottom line in the next several years. Also,they generally
lose money treating pediatric patients.
Departmental Needs/Requests: Needs more PT assistants but there aren't many available. He would also
like to see more community focus on the importance of rehabilitation.
Suggestions for improvement: Joe would like a new building—or at least a remodeling of the current
structure. His department is disjointed, occupies part of 2 floors and is shared with occupational health and
sports medicine. He is focusing on improving the aesthetics in his department and wants to be able to
compete with private practice. Joe understands patients can go anywhere for PT and OT and he wants his
department to be the facility of choice.
What Would The Department Manager/Director Like NCMC Trustees To Know:
Joe would like us all to know the following (look at back of page):
NCMC BOARD OF TRUSTEES REPORT
Visit conducted by Mark Lawley
On Date Department
September 24, 2014 Laboratory Services
Department History
North Colorado Medical Center's Laboratory produ.ces accurate, complete and timely lab
results. By providing excellent service,the lab strives to assist other health professionals in
delivery of quality patient care.
Service(s) Provided
Performs the majority of tests in-house and for physician offices around the Greeley area,They
are also considered a regional laboratory processing laboratory results other in out of State
clients. The Micro Biology Lab will be moving to Loveland in a few weeks as part of consolidating
services.
Number of staff Revenues/Budgets if relevant
75 employees will be at NCMC
25 employees will be located at the McKee N/A
Medical Center in Loveland
Successes
The Lab was recently remodeled; the employees relocated from the existing LAB a few months ago.
Challenges/Obstacles
Work load has seemed to increase considerably. Once an employee leaves, employees need to be
replaced. Staff believes this was a result of budget cuts.
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Departmental Needs/Requests
Nothing Specific.
Manager's suggestions for improvement
More input from staff on remodels or new additions,they do have some space, workflow and storage
deficiencies in the new lab.
What would the department manage/director like NCMC, Inc. to know, if anything?
Awesome lab, great staff!
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Notes/Miscellaneous
All the employees were extremely grateful for the new lab.They have some logistical issues;they
thought they would be resolved soon.
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Hello