CCHS CEO McGuire Receives Performance Evaluation

DAYTON—At the outset of last week’s meeting of the Columbia County Health System Commissioners, Bob Hutchens, President of the Commission, reported on the board’s recent performance evaluation of CEO Shane McGuire.

Hutchens said the commissioners concluded, by consensus, that CEO McGuire’s accomplishments in 2016 were good and the board was pleased with his progress, both as an individual and as an administrator.”

“The board looks forward to continued progress in the administrative management of the District,” Hutchens said. “While the board recognizes the efforts of CEO McGuire to improve management and communication throughout the district, we are committed to seeing that the effort continues.”

Hutchens went on to outline a draft list of goals for McGuire in 2017, which includes continuation of the hospital renovation project, implementation of the five-year strategic plan, stabilization of staffing at both clinics, certification of both the medical clinics as patient-centered medical home clinics, execution of outreach through public education, review and revision of the district handbook and by-laws, and the continuation of the educational goals that were set for him by the board.

In his financial report to the board, McGuire said the patient volumes for December were not as robust, with a couple of exceptions: He said the emergency department saw 139 patients in December, which was the third highest volume month for the year, making for the most full-year patient volume in the ED in four years.

McGuire pointed out that gross patient revenue in 2016 was $1.9 million over budget, and $2.7 million above gross revenue for 2015.

“Your team worked hard for you this year,” McGuire told the commissioners.

“The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) payback from the interim cost report was received in about three weeks. The payback amount was $415,000, and covered revenue from January to November, 2016. CMS also introduced a new lower interim rate for services we provide,” McGuire said.

“The CMS holdback will affect day’s cash on hand for December. We managed to create a $140,000 reserve during 2016, and will continue to build the reserve through 2017,” said McGuire.

With regard to the hospital renovation project, McGuire told the commissioners that the project is still within budget.

There is 40% of the actual cost of the project left to be done, but the bulk of the cost for the project was in the first phase of construction, he said. He also said that only about $80,000 out of the $460,000 contingency fund has been spent.

McGuire told the commissioners that the Rehabilitation Wing of the hospital is completed, and “has been signed off by all parties”.

“We are using it. We have booked it,” said McGuire.

Phase II of the renovation has begun, he said, with demolition and asbestos abatement of floor tiles complete.

Electrical rough-in will be completed and concrete will be poured during the week of the Jan. 30. The HVAC rough-in and fire sprinkler rough-in will be completed in the second week of February. Walls have been laid out and framing will begin. Glass doors to the new outpatient entrance will be installed on Feb. 9, and the entrance area will be completed by the third week in February.

McGuire said that training for employees in the use of ultrasound will take place on Feb 8, and that a sonographer from Walla Walla General Hospital will be on hand on Feb 9 for additional training.

McGuire also said that he and Dr. Varnell, the new psychiatrist at CCHS, visited with Doug Johnson, Superintendent of the Dayton School District, and High School Principal Paul Shaber, about how CCHS can support behavioral needs of students in the schools. Another meeting is planned with the teachers on March 1.

Dr. Varnell has also visited with the Waitsburg School District administrators, counselor, and the school nurse.

Both Tri-State Memorial Family Clinic staff and inpatient/outpatient mental health staff at St. Joseph Regional Medical Center are looking forward to working with Dr. Varnell via referrals to him, McGuire said.

McGuire asked the commissioners to approve an additional amount of money to purchase a CT scanner for hospital use. Eighteen months ago the board approved a request for funds to purchase a GE 16-slice CT scanner, to replace the aging Siemans 16-slice CT scanner currently in use.

McGuire said that his recent research supports the purchase of a 64 slice CT scanner, instead of the 16 slice scanner.

“The 64-slice scanner is becoming the work horse for the industry,” McGuire told them. “It will do all the studies we need done now, and it will do them faster. We don’t want to put in a 16-slice scanner, and in three years down the road, part supplies are not there.”

McGuire’s proposal is to purchase a used, reconditioned, GE Light Speed 64 Slice Scanner with a service warranty.

The commissioners approved an additional $100,000 toward the purchase of the scanner, which carries a price tag of $330,000, according to McGuire.

“We’ll be able to potentially recoup a tiny unknown amount of that because we will sell our old CT,” said Commissioner Ken Dyball.