RCH Foundation reviewed at RCH trustee meeting
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Ringgold County Hospital board of trustees met for their regular meeting, Monday, November 25. Rhett Murphy, director of operations, led the bulk of the meeting sharing with the board information on Ringgold County Hospital’s foundation.
Ringgold County Hospital Foundation was started in the fall of 2023 as a 501C (not for profit organization) .The organization headed by Murphy as the current president, was designed to include a community member and a RCH board trustee along with other selected hospital employees to create an environment of inclusivity with the community and provide a balanced source for best decision making.
Current members of the RCHF are the following:
Rhett Murphy, Amy Mobley, CNO, Terri Ruby, staff secretary, Tiffany Boles, UR, AI, Case Management Karleen Stephens, president of SOS and Martha Landphair, a community member.
RCHF partners with SOS (salute our staff) on several events and activities. One of the biggest annual activities is the RCH Golf Tournament held traditionally in July. This activity requires many willing volunteers to put together. Murphy noted this past year, 22 teams participated in the 2024 RCH Golf Tournament.
A membership drive to be part of this organization is open for membership from January to December. Donor names and/or logos are displayed in various locations during events held by the RCHF. The following accomplishments were funded directly due to the work of the RCHF:
- Completed enhancement of the ER exterior
- Purchased a one-way registration film for the Lab
- Presented two $1,000 scholarships for anyone interested in going into the healthcare field
- Made Lobby upgrades
- Installed a protective screen for the registration department
- Installed doorbells for the lab
- Renovated the mental health room by adding a comfortable couch and other interior touches to create a more inviting and less sterile environment.
- Created outdoor seating
Current RCHF members are: Allison Knox, Terri Ruby, Secretary Tiffany Boles, SOS president, Karleen Stephens, Martha Landphair, community member.
Regarding CEO updates, Nicky Gilbertson, stated she now represents the Iowa Hospital Association (IHA) on education and member services management. Gilbertson shared the health reminder that with colder weather and holiday gatherings, everyone is encouraged to stay protected by getting the Flu and Covid vaccines. In other miscellaneous notes, the benefits enrollment is completed, strategic planning work continues in created goal. Gilbertson indicated updates will follow. She also recognized National Rural Health Day on November 21. Events just completed include the hot chocolate and apple cider bar on November 25, with an ongoing 12 days of Christmas multiple activity event that will include a hot home-made meal staff can take home to their families.
During this time Gilbertson reflected on the many hours with family healthcare workers sacrifice as they provide care for other families and their loved ones. She expressed thankfulness for the RCH team.
Clint Reynolds, CFO, reported the finance committee had a productive meeting on Friday, November 25. In terms of revenue, inpatient was under budget by $123K, with inpatient days totaling 20, under budget by 33; skilled days were at 34 and counted 15 more than budgeted. Outpatient revenue was over budget by $396K, clinic revenue was over by $48K and the number of visits for both primary and specialty clinics was under budget by 37 days. Overall Gross budget was over for the month by $312K.
Inpatient revenue was under budget for the month by $123K. IP days totaled 20, 33 under budget while there were 34 Skilled patient days, 15 more than budget. Outpatient revenue was over budget by $396K. Clinic revenue was over budget by $48K. There were 1242 total primary and specialty clinic visits, 37 less than budgeted. Overall, gross revenue was over budget for the month by $321K.
Net patient revenue was over budget by $935K. Retail 340B net revenue was $55K for the month. Total operating revenue was over $3.4M for October, $947K over budget for the month. Net patient revenue was over budget by $935K. Retail 340B net revenue was $55K for the month. Total operating revenue was over $3.4M for October, $947K over budget for the month.
On the expense side, salaries and wages were $26K over budget for the month and benefits were under budget by $124K. This was due, in part, to self insurance claims and expenses being under budget. Contract labor was over budget by $28K due to contracted staff in Senior Life Solutions, ortho clinic, and the MAMC. Supplies and drugs were over budget by $118K for the month, $55K of which was related to ortho joints and supplies. Several other operating expense line items were over budget for the month including fees, interest, and provider tax fees related to the Medicaid DPP funds. Depreciation and amortization expense was under budget for the month by $37K. There was one new asset placed into use in October: a tractor for maintenance. Total operating expenses totaled close to $2.4M for the month, $28K over budget. The year-to-date bottom line showed a gain of $2.5M.
Sandra Christensen, Mercy One affiliate liaison was on hand to announce after the devastating tornado that took great portions of Greenfield including the hospital, that the Adair County Hospital is once again able to reopen with the first opening day November 11. Noted by Christiansen, in the aftermath of such destruction including loss of homes, lives and jobs, Adair County was able to bring back all but one of their displaced employees.
Christensen also shared an important bit of those, pertinent to those currently insured under Humana and Aetna. Mercy One will no longer operate “in network” with Humana and Aetna Health insurance companies. Christensen noted Mercy One will continue conversations to find a way for working with those two companies, but at this time, they are set to discontinue their agreement January 1. While, in most part, Christensen stated this should not affect Ringgold County patients, anyone with this coverage is recommended to contact their insurance provider/agent or their hospital insurance clerks to ensure patients have coverage when they need it.
