POMEROY-The Garfield County Hospital District (GCHD) Board of Directors authorized Garfield County Hospital District co-CEO Mat Slaybaugh to conduct more research into the purchase of the CT scanner and the hospital improvements at the recent board meeting July 6.

The purchase of the CT scanner was first proposed by Slaybaugh as a phase of the proposed improvements to the hospital that will also include upgrades to the electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. A request is in the works from the M. J. Murdock Charitable Trust to cover most of the cost, and other grants are being considered that would contribute to the project as well.

After a meeting with a Murdock Trust representative, Slaybaugh indicated they

are not interested in the construction portion of the hospital project but will considet funding the CT scanner and associated equipment needed for the machine. The GCHD portion of the grant contribution is estimated at a bit more than $140,000.

According to Slaybaugh, the GCHD's accountant has informed them that the project may be an appropriate use of the CARES Act funds if there is a real reason why the hospital needs the improvements, such as the HVAC system, for treatment of COVID-19 patients.

The board members agreed that they should move forward with the project as soon as possible, and as long as they can cover the remaining portion of the expense after receiving the Murdock Trust grant. Board Chairman, Cindy Wolf, said they can be confident that funds from Health and Human Services would be able to cover that cost. Otherwise, they would not be willing to start the project if they did not have the funds to finish it and be able to cover the costs.

Slaybaugh gave architect's plans and budget for the project to the board, but was not presented to the public at the time. The plans include the addition of the CT scanner room, a hallway and an additional room to be used for future expansion. It was suggested that the extra room could be used as ER overflow space. Wolf said that she would like to see how the extra room could be tied to COVID-19 needs and the board would also need to see a budget for that addition.

Board Finance Committee member Steve Cannon, stated that the GCHD has currently 78 days of cash on hand, if extra funds received by the GCHD due to the COVID-19 funding is not included. He also stated that they have learned that the Accelerated Medicare Advance Payments will be paid back within 12 months, and make payments as those associated expenses are billed. The GCHD has received $20,000 for personal protection equipment (PPE) supplies, and only $5,000 has been spent so far. The GCHD will also be able to apply for full forgiveness for the Payroll Protection Plan (PPP) loan they have received.

Co-CEO Jayd Keener said currently as part of the the GCHD's new association with Allevant, the district is currently working to get the online training onboard. They have also established a transitional care team in the building, and an official rounding process, which has been adapted to COVID-19 regulations. They also continue to have implementation meetings every two weeks.

The GCHD is looking to hire a part-time person to help with care coordination, and to do patient follow-ups, which will benefit patient outcomes. Keener announced that the hospital is officially overstaffed with nurses, and an in-house nurse may be utilized for the part-time position.

Slaybaugh described the new pharmacy program the GCHD has begun. The program will keep the Pomeroy Pharmacy and Brad Gingrich, Pharmacist, working with them. He stated that "Brad gets a little profit, the hospital gets a little profit, and the patient pays the same amount of money as before." Slaybaugh also reported that the hospital is currently doing performance reviews of all employees, and should be completed by the end of July. Those found to have exceptional performance may qualify for small merit raises.

The COVID-19 update, at the time of the meeting, was 48 people tested at the hospital, 44 negative results, and four were still pending. Patient care at the GCHD has not changed with the new mandates from the Governor, because all requirements were already in place. They continue to monitor patients and staff every day, and they are allowing some family visits on a limited basis. The visits must be pre-arranged on designated days. Some families had complained about the limitations, but the need to have staff monitor the visits has made it necessary.

They are looking to formulate a better plan, and maybe allow some weekend visits to make it more convenient for family members.

Martha Lanman, Garfield County Health District Administrator, explained that the county's COVID-19 testing numbers are different from the hospital's due to the fact that results from testing at other facilities are included in county's totals.