Paris, Tenn.–As expected, COVID was the main topic at a busy and lengthy meeting of the Henry County Medical Center.
New Chief of Staff and Hospitalist Director Dr Mengistu Yemane updated the board about the Delta variant and the impact it is making on the hospital and the community.
“Delta is much worse than what we saw before and really the only thing helping is the vaccine,” said Dr. Yemane. “I encourage everyone to get the vaccine.”
Hospital CEO Lisa Casteel shared about President Biden’s White House call last Thursday, with his six-prong approach to the pandemic. The strategy for the mandate for healthcare vaccinations was discussed, in which healthcare providers must be vaccinated and not allowed to just test like industry will be able to do.
“The reasoning behind this is that 70% of healthcare systems across the country have already mandated the vaccine,” said Casteel.
The patient volumes and surge are higher than what the hospital saw in December 2020 and patients are much sicker than they were during that time. Casteel discussed the shortages in supplies including the infusions for COVID-19.
Currently, HCMC is offering the infusions 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but they are expecting a 30% reduction in the availability of it next week, she said.
Currently, Henry County has a positivity rate close to 30%. “It is a day-by-day situation where we can have a surge in our ER and facility. This is causing us to reallocate staffing on a daily basis, impacting our services,” she said.
Casteel discussed vaccine education and hesitancy and she encouraged the board members to make sure they go to the hospital’s social media, website, and watch our videos for information related to this.
“We had a news channel out of Nashville ask to use our videos and we said yes, absolutely,” said Casteel.
Increases in pay was also discussed. Casteel said, “Last year we did not do pay raises for staff, but because of the market and traveling nursing, HCMC has implemented a pay increase to try and be competitive in the market. Additionally, HCMC is evaluating our benefits and wellness plan to be comparable of the industry to help to increase the wages of the organization.”
HCMC honored 86 employees with a total of 1,035 years of service to the organization with a come and go reception on Wednesday, Sept. 22. Additionally, on Tuesday, Sept. 21 during a FB Live, our Partner of the Year, Meggan Walker with Home Health as well as Managers of the Year, Steve Delaney with Accounting and DeAnn Berry with CCU/PCU/Cardiac Rehab were recognized for all they have done this past year for the organization.
“We are so grateful to have such talent among our partners and management at HCMC,” said Casteel.
The Board of Trustees agreed to accept two, 3-year terms for leasing of the Surgery Center and Kentucky Lake Urologic Associates by the request of Dr. Mobley, Jr. They will be investing in a significant upgrade in the HVAC system.
Casteel discussed complaints and grievances May through August with the Board of Trustees. HCMC received 8 complaints and 32 grievances during this time. Combined, these are less than 0.25% of our patient visits. Next month we will have the total number of positive comments we receive. Casteel says the positive comments are just as many if not more than the complaints. Casteel discussed the customer service training that has been completed with the ER physicians and providers. The report was approved by the board.
Board Chair Dr. Scott Whitby said the board will present a formal resolution to the Henry County Commission to issue bonds on our behalf at $4.5 million for 25 years with a fixed rate of 2.5% for 10 years.
The board called an executive session at 7 p.m. following the organizational report.