Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) has long been committed to improve its patient and staff experience. A report given by hospital COO Jim Bargen during the Board of Trustees meeting Monday, September 24, focused on plant improvements that will compliment that goal.
Mr. Bargen updated the Trustees on two remodeling and one new building project the hospital is working on in its 2018-2019 calendar year. “We plan to get the most bang for our buck by stacking the projects so they run one after the other,” he said. The first project, a renovation of the Sub Sterile Room between OR1 and OR2, will create a hallway from Circulation Surgery in front of the ORs to the Sterile Storage Room behind them. The renovation is slated to begin in early spring of 2019. The hospital has budgeted approximately $100,000 for the project. Another remodel at the hospital to take place in a spring to early summer timeframe involves a major demolition and reconstruction of the current kitchen and cafeteria. “This one is going to be more complicated,” he said. “The kitchen area and all of its equipment date back to when the hospital was built in 1976. This demolition and renovation will require extensive logistical planning.” The hospital has anticipated a total cost of $1.75 million for the renovation, and budgeted $250,000 to get started this year. The renovation also includes replacement of all kitchen equipment and furniture. The third project to start in the spring is a new clinic building in Hemingford. “We’re excited about this one,” Mr. Bargen said. “We were able to purchase a lot located on Niobrara and Cheyenne Avenues earlier this year for the building. The hospital’s building committee approved BWBR as the architect, with Beckenhauer Construction as the Construction Manager at Risk.” Beckenhauer Construction managed BBGH’s recent new addition and renovation projects. The hospital estimates the new 1,600 to 2,000 square foot building will cost around $435,000. Design Development meetings for all three projects will begin in October.
The Trustees also conducted the following business.
They recognized Rob Hood, Financial Counselor, as the September Employee of the Month. Also recognized was IT Help Desk technician Kaleb Hudson for earning his A++ Certification. The board welcomed new employees Jalloul Azzouz, RN; Erin Bunnell, Nurse Assistant/Ward Clerk; Jonathan Swenson, RN-T; Lindsey Bairn, OT; Nikki Neihues, RT(R)(CT); Nikki Akers, RN; and Jesse Bunnell, Maintenance Tech.
The consent calendar was unanimously approved, followed by the Quality Management & Safety Report from CQO Mary Mockerman. She focused on a recent COPIC site visit. COPIC is the hospital’s general liability insurance carrier. As such it has a dedicated nurse risk manager for the state of Nebraska, who was on hand to provide valuable education and resource material to BBGH staff. Education included Communication skills; anticipated turnover (interesting fact: national retention of employees aged 18-24 averages just 18 months) and the need to engage employees on how they contribute to organizational goals to increase retention rates; documentation and patient follow-up; top ten high risk areas; and HIPAA risk areas of concern. Organization Risk Assessments were also provided for clinics and the hospital. Ms. Mockerman concluded with infection prevention and control updates, including flu shot clinics for all staff members September 26-27 and the annual Safety Fair slated for November 5 through 9.
After the Trustees unanimously accepted the August financial report, CEO Lori Mazanec introduced the board to a ‘Thankful for You’ marketing campaign developed by the Marketing Department’s summer intern, Kelsey Brummel. “I ask our marketing interns to develop a marketing strategy as part of their internship at the hospital. Kelsey’s ‘Thankful for You’ campaign compliments our strategy to improve employee morale, as well engaging staff in helping BBGH express how much the hospital appreciates and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Alliance and surrounding communities.” The campaign will run through November to coincide with the Thanksgiving holiday, and will include marketing efforts in both legacy and social media platforms.
Ms. Mazanec reminded the Trustees that internationally recognized motivational speaker Pete Smith will be giving three presentations at the Alliance Public Schools (APS) Performing Arts Center; two on Tuesday, September 25 and one on Wednesday, September 26, for BBGH staff members, Trustees, Box Butte Health Foundation board members, and APS teachers.
The board unanimously ratified newly elected Medical Staff Officers: Dr. Tim Narjes as Chief of Staff; Dr. Mark Chu as Vice Chief of Staff; and Dr. Jessica Ott as Secretary/Treasurer.
After unanimously approving all credentialing requests, and rescinding a radiologist’s resignation approval and reinstate his privileges effective August 27, 2018, the Trustees entered executive session at 7:25pm to discuss medical staff updates. The Trustees re-entered open session at 7:51pm. With no action taken, the Trustees immediately adjourned. The next regular board meeting will be held Monday, October 29 at 12:00pm to accommodate the hospital’s auditor, who will present the annual audit report. It will be held in the BBGH Alliance Room. As always, the public is invited to attend.
Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.