Board of Trustees

June, 2011 (21 KB)

Members present: Terri Langer, Linda Borleske, Mary Ellen Murray, Steve Bach, Henry Netzinger
Members absent: Bill Higgins, Art Carlson
Others present: Kim Gochanour, Penny Clary, Diane Gade, Joel Gaalswyk, Andrea Lombard, Marty Krueger, Kathy Schauf

1. Meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m. by Chairman Steve Bach and certified compliance with the open meeting law.
2. Motion by Netzinger, second by Langer to adopt the agenda. Motion carried.
3. Motion by Borleske, second by Netzinger to approve the minutes of the previous meeting with the addition of William Higgins as present. Motion carried with the addition.

4. Public Comment. None
5. Communications. None

6. Discussion of Foundation activities. Bank statements were reviewed and copies passed out; all were up to date and accurate. Stained glass windows are moving along well. Information for the calendar raffle is ready.

7. Business office report was presented and discussed.
Motion by Borleske, second by Langer to approve the vouchers in the amount of $95,028.92. Motion carried.

8. Administrator's report. Kim updated the board on various activities of the HCC over the past month. Staff attended the WAHSA conference, we won the ALJ hearing on our Medicare replacement, and toured and met with the new marketing director at Oak Park Place in Baraboo. We celebrated National Nursing Home Week and Nurses Week with many enjoyable activities for staff. The new therapy company has started and it is going very well. Continue to prepare for state survey and life safety code inspections. Had our audit and were here only one day. No recommendations were made - so, kudos to the Business Office Staff.

9. Discussion held regarding programs, mandates and priorities. Discussion centered on the overall mission of the HCC rather than on the individual programs. With the help of the HCC lobby group, the state will now be giving back more of the supplemental payment money received from the federal government. We have three basic areas of care; Rehabilitation, Long Term and Memory Care. Our payer sources are Medicare, Medicaid, Private Pay and Insurances. Our new Therapy group is more thorough and aggressive so we will see our revenue increase over time. We continue to work with the Continuum of Care Group.
Our contracts with vendors are consistently evaluated to look for more cost effective ways of doing business. We are also looking at various departments to evaluate staffing efficiencies. We work cooperatively with MATC on Nursing and CNA student programs and are working to develop an Occupational Therapy Aide on-site training program. Our staff turnover is not a serious problem, but we do have some especially in the CNA and dietary areas. With changes to the new Union Contract we will have more flexibility with scheduling so that may help.
We are proud of our cutting edge resident centered care and our enhanced dining program which is similar to restaurant style dining. We continue to be the only Sauk County Nursing Home to maintain the 5 Star Rating.
Supervisor Gaalswyck complimented the staff on doing an important job very well and continuing to cut costs and enhance care. There is, however, no mandate that requires the county to operate a nursing home. He felt that there are enough private business enterprises out there that could fill this need. Supervisor Lombard concurred.
HCC Board member Murray indicated that even though the service is not mandated, one role of government is to take care of those less fortunate. Obviously the private sector in this area is not able to meet the need currently. The nursing home, however, needs to continually look at balancing cost and quality.

During the month of July the Activity Department or Dietary Department will give a presentation to the board. Bill will also be asked to present the latest information on energy efficiencies at an upcoming meeting.

10. Next meeting set for Thursday, July 7 at 5:30 p.m.
Motion by Murray, second by Langer to adjourn. Motion carried.

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Steve Bach, Chairperson