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About Heppner gazette-times. (Heppner, Or.) 1925-current | View Entire Issue (March 29, 2017)
Heppner Gazette-Times, Heppner, Oregon Wednesday, March 29, 2017 HEALTH DISTRICT -Continued from PAGE ONE ry, Heppner, echoed that and home health and hos- ber Aaron Palmquist, Ir- and providing space for those services if they want- ed to care for their patients, stay competitive and sur- vive in the medical field. “To add new services, we need space,” said Ma- honey, who suggested the advisability of a feasibility study, adding that a feasibil- ity study would be required if the district applies for a USDA loan. Parker said that the rebuild or remodel of Pio- neer Memorial Hospital would be hard to justify, considering the “declining population” in south Mor- row County, adding, “I just can’t see what the overall value would be.” The board had received a bid for a feasibility study from WIPFLI, certified public accounts and con- sultants, which was in the neighborhood of $50,000- $60,000, discounted from $70,000. The scope of work would include developing a plan of finance and com- pleting a USDA application, providing assistance secur- ing construction financing “with guidance as needed” and “providing ongoing support for ensuring that financing is completed and documentation is correct.” Houser and Mahoney said that they were confident in completing a USDA appli- cation if that is the option they select. The board did not make a decision concerning the hospital options, continuing discussion on the possibil- ity of having a feasibility study done, but agreed to proceed with the remod- el of the Irrigon Clinic, which could be as high as $500,00-$900,000. “50,000-60,000 for a feasibility study sounds in- credibly expensive to me,” said Parker. “I don’t need a feasibility study to tell me that’s (remodeling the Ir- rigon Clinic) a good idea.” Board member Joe Per- sentiment. The district has already received $150,000 from the Columbia River Enterprise Zone toward funding the Ir- rigon Clinic remodel. CEO Bob Houser said that he had met with a grant writer and indicated that there are around $400,000 in grants toward that end that the dis- trict could apply for. They also mentioned the pos- sibility of seeking funding from the Howard and Beth Bryant Foundation. Perry asked other board members if they had re- ceived any feedback on re- building or remodeling the hospital. When no one else said they had, he remarked, “Well I have,” saying that some people had emphati- cally told him that they would not support a $17 million tax levy. “There are a whole lot of options, rather than pass- ing a bond,” commented Houser. Other options to help fund a hospital rebuild or remodel could include obtaining a USDA loan or a bank loan. Regarding statistics, Pioneer Memorial Hospital, a Critical Access Hospi- tal, generated $599,941 in hospital inpatient revenue, inpatient ancillary revenue and outpatient revenue, combined, in February, and $4,719,719 over the past year. Home health and hospice, located at PMH, brought in another $30,543 the past month and $239,651 the past year. The district received an additional $168,350 from tax revenue the past month and $1,268,249 over the past year. The three clinics, Pio- neer Memorial Clinic in Heppner, Irrigon Clinic and Ione Community Clinic, brought in $146,937 in February and $1,260,628 over the past year. Operating expenses for the hospital, clinics pice for the past month included $445,072 in sala- ries and wages; $146,578 in employee benefits and taxes; $29,423 in profes- sional fees, $76,755 in sup- plies and minor equipment; $1,626 in education; $5,426 in repairs and maintenance; $843 for recruitment and advertising; $62,967 in pur- chased services; $47,728 in depreciation; $12,863 for utilities, phone and pro- pane; $8,539 for insurance; $333 for taxes and licenses; $6,147 in interest; $1,003 for dues and subscriptions; $7,214 for travel; and $7,434 in other expenses. Over the past year, the dis- trict showed $7,224,389 in operating expenses. “The hospital has a lot higher expenses than the clinics,” countered Parker. The district employs 94 full and part-time people, mostly in south Morrow County, including 10 em- ployees at Pioneer Me- morial Clinic, four at the Irrigon Medical Clinic and one at the Ione Community Clinic, not including the providers, such as doctors, physician’s assistants and nurse practitioners, some of whom work both at the clinics and the hospital. The PMC employee count includes a medical assistant who works both at PMC and ICC. The employee count does not include Emergency Medical Ser- vices volunteers. Also at the meeting, the board: -discussed the possi- bility of meeting with Co- lumbia River Community Health Services in Board- man, to inquire if there is anything MCHD can do to complement the services CRCHS offers. CRCHS is a federally-funded clinic serving the migrant popula- tion, but is also open to the general public. “How can we help each other?” asked board mem- Friends Helping Friends would like to acknowledge and thank the 2017 Remembrance Walk/Run Commit tee, Donors and Participants for participation & contributions. PROCEEDS WENT TO ASHER SCHONBACHLER & HIS FAMILY, ASHER HAS LEUKODYSTROPHY, A RARE WHITE MATTER DISEASE OF THE BRAIN FUNDS WERE DONATED IN MEMORY OF THE FOLLOWING PEOPLE: Donna Schonbachler Delmer Buschke Joe & Maryette Wright Joan Grey Vince & Donna Alleman Jim & Louise Farley Tad Miller Margaret Bergevin Alisa Louise Halvorsen Bob Kilkenny Luke Bibby Lynn Bibby Larry Crawford Dwain & Anne Crawford Christina Givens Sandra Goodell Jim & Madge Thomson Berniece Thomson Marsha Sweek Jay Sumner Alice Peterson Ployhar Wade Padberg Luke Padberg Karen Dubuque Dick Devin Sammie Jo Edwards Matthew Paul Edwards Devin Kennedy Brok David Palmer Shad Anthony Hisler Janice Healy Davis Bill Healy David Matheny Orval Matheny Theresa Betz Rob Nichols Frank Brown Pam Haugen Fishman Clarence & Rita Greenup Mark Greenup Eilene Ball Steiger Kevin Bristow Linda Bristow Haguewoood Kristi Haguewood Huber Mike Currin Dennis Crowley Jean Lazinka Barbouletos Val Boyer Rita Sumner Bob Jepsen Jean Ann Turner Ken Turner Jim Sumner Paul & Kathleen Hisler Forrie & Gail Burkenbine Allen Burkenbine Eddie & Jerry Brosnan John Britt Royal Raymond Charlie & Yvonne Daly John Gochnauer Judy Gochnauer Kenneth Gochnauer Ellen Kennedy Ede Maley Al & MaryEllen Wainwright John & Millie Hanna John & LuLu Hanna Wayne Barber Don Bennett family Don & Billie Matthews Don & Margaret Evans JoAnn Corwin Cooper Larson Julieann Larson Bob & Mary Lou Kelly Ray & Coramae Fegurso Peggy Meyer George & Pat Gutierrez Bill Hensel Frank & Margaret Monahan Bob Monahan Clay Edgmon Jim Prock Mike Prock Jon Prock Joanie Ployhar Bev Gunderson Del LaRue Fritz & Janice Cutsforth Barbara Prock Hale Cason Peterson/Terjeson Rick Boyce Frank Mader Winston Mader Norm Wilson Don & Colleen Greenup Bud & Kay Walton Maria Gregg Justin Herald Paul & Betty Brown Marlene Peterson Jane McRoberts Casey Riddle Amy Rottari Juan Tellechea Darcy Hollomon Coil Jerry Hollomon Frank Cecil Michele Miles Riehl Darlene Wise Arrington Blanche Wise Jones Paul W. Jones Clarence "Cody" Wise Arnie G. Hedman Mike Hedman Leo DeZoete Linda Starks Ripple Jo Burt Bonna Rae Miller Pat Anderson Marilyn Rietmann Mildred Wright Byron & Joyce Hostetler Don Robinson Dick & Virgina Wilkinson Benham Malcom Annie Elgin Jo Bennett Betty Fulleton Ruby Fulleton Veatch George Miller Dick & Rosie Graham Cicely Hass Charlie & Ina Moeller Eldon Hobbs Barbara Baker Mervin Grubaugh Sumner/Hisler families Patti Healy Gentry Maggie Lennon Healy Aunt Lib Healy Daggett Uncle Pat Cutsforth Joe & Ruby Farley Bernard & Jerry Doherty Mary Bernadette Doherty Steven Gregory Doherty Blackhorse Doherty's Herb McLaughlin Hank Pointer Nonie Pointer Paul Doherty Francis Doherty Helen Doherty Dyer Betty Doherty Thorsen Kayle Krebs Patricia Monahan Barrie Jiggs Bowman Bob Bryant Howard & Beth Bryant Lucille Kostecha lyle & Josie Morton Eldon Wolters Charles & Jessie Christensen Harold & Joyce Snider Ken Snider Lyle & Josie Morton Ilene Laughlin Les Wyman Carl Jr. & Bette Spaulding Betty Meyer Bobbi Miller Kristi Haguewood Huber Ken & Anne Fleck Kenny Fleck Ronald Joseph Fleck Glen & Lenna Smith Gene & Fay Pierce Mike Pierce John Rankin Garrett Zimmer Ryan Bennett Harry & Helen O'Donnell Ted & Rosetta Palmateer Janet Palmateer Wohlford Ron Palmateer Tom Healy Jack Healy Spike & MaryAnn Durfee Stormy Winters Steven Espinoza Angie Widner Mike Nagy Julius Jay Sieler Pat VanArsdale Guy VanArsdale David McLaughlan Jim Wishart Billy Kenny Allen Hughes William Hughes Family Ebb & Pauline Hughes Virgil & Joan Greene Getrude Doherty Applegste Gene Doherty Riley Winters Randy Lott rigon. Houser said he would contact the CRCHS execu- tive director Mindy Binder and board Chair Lynn Prag. -learned from Houser that the procedure room, which has been under re- modeling to be able to allow the district to again conduct upper and lower endoscopy (colonoscopy) procedures, is expected to be completed and services to be resumed by July. -approved a marketing proposal from Pacific Com- panies for an advertising package to attract physi- cians to the district. Houser asked the board to accept the proposal from Pacific Companies “not to exceed $16,624.” Houser said that Pacific Company representatives visited MCHD facilities in Heppner and Irrigon, spending time with provid- ers to gather information, and are putting together an advertising package target- ing physicians 60 years and younger in Oregon, California, Washington, Idaho, Utah, Montana and Wyoming and including foreign physicians. -learned from Houser that Dan Sharp has been named maintenance su- pervisor, replacing Carl Lauritsen who is to retire on March 30, with a retirement potluck set on March 30 at Pioneer Memorial Hospital. Sharp has been with the district in the maintenance department for four years. -learned that the district hired Daron Havlik, from the Scappoose area, to re- place Sharp. -approved hiring an additional maintenance per- son, rather than contracting the service out. Mahoney said that the cost to hire an additional employee would be in the neighborhood of $31,600; however, that amount would be offset somewhat as the district now pays around $20,000 in contract work, which would then be discontinued. -learned that the dis- trict has also hired: Jimmy Wimer, an x-ray, CT, ul- trasound, Dexa Scan and echo-cardiogram tech, to fill the PMH radiology de- partment manager position, effective this month. Betty Hickerson, director of the PMH laboratory, had been temporarily fulfilling that role. Brenda Potter, a regis- tered nurse from Stanfield, has been hired to become a Home Health and Hospice nurse, replacing Lani Pryor, R.N., who resigned earlier this year. - THREE Play proceeds benefit local family Sheridan Tarnasky presents the proceeds from “A Rose in Bloom” to Rachel and Asher Schonbachler. The cast of the play voted to give the donations received during the perfor- mances—a total of $771—to Eric and Rachel Schonbachler to help in Asher’s fight against leukodystrophy 4H Syndrome. -Contributed photo -learned from Hous- er that Pioneer Memorial Clinic has received a grant for $25,554 from Eastern Oregon Coordinated Care Organization for further development of the “Ado- lescent Well Care” proj- ect started in 2016. PMC also received an additional $27,303 grant from EO- CCO for the “Clinical and Claims Data Aggregation” project. Houser said that part of the funds from this grant may be used to offset hiring of an additional IT tech employee in this bud- get year. EOCCO is a group of health care providers in eastern Oregon that “work for people on the Oregon Health Care plan,” ac- cording to their statement. Besides Morrow County, EOCCO includes Baker, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Lake, Malheur, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa and Wheeler counties. It is administered by GOBHI (Greater Oregon Behavioral Health, Inc.), and Moda Health. -heard from Houser that the Boardman Home Health/Hospice office has been completed. “Signage for the front of the building has been ordered and will be put up when completed,” he said. He indicated that the office will begin to be used around the first of April if phone and internet connec- tions have been completed. -learned from Houser that the district has inter- viewed a quality improve- ment candidate and is working out the details for possible employment. The potential hiree, whose hus- band is a respiratory thera- pist and who has also been interviewed by MCHD, would replace Luz Martell, who resigned. -heard from Houser that a part-time respiratory therapist, quality improve- ment staff, two RNs, an IT tech, and EMT-A or EMT 1, a marketing/public rela- tions staffer and additional maintenance staff are still needed. -received the following profit loss statement through February: $777,422 in gross patient revenue, $2,095 for bad debts and $145,713 in contractual and other ad- justments, plus $168,350 in tax revenue and $29,574 in other operating revenue for $831,728 in total operating revenue, $859,953 in total operating expenses and a $12,019 non-operating gain for a $16,206 loss for the month and a $98,431 year- to-date loss. -received the follow- ing report for February: five in-patient admissions, five swing bed admissions, seven observation admis- sions, 424 outpatient visits, 43 emergency room en- counters, 1,606 lab tests, 96 x-ray/ultrasound tests, 21 CT scans, seven MRI scans, 13 EKG tests, 41 respira- tory therapy procedures, 50 Home Health patient visits, four Hospice admis- sions, 2,144 drug doses for $86,076 in revenue; Pioneer Memorial Clinic had 392 patient visits with 24 seen by a nurse, no new patients and 11 no-shows; Irrigon Medical Clinic had 219 patient visits with 25 new patients, 58 seen by a nurse and 22 no-shows; Ione Community Clinic had 27 patient visits, two new patients and one no- show; Heppner Ambulance had 15 page-outs with 13 transports for $21,901 in revenue; Boardman Ambu- lance and 55 page-outs with 19 transports for $29,155 in revenue; Irrigon Ambu- lance had 19 page-outs with 14 transports for $18,917 in revenue; Ione ambulance had one page-out, but no transports; there was one flight.