It won’t be too long before some Care Center residents can move into the 19 brand new rooms at the care center, said North Shore Health Director Kimber Wraalstad to the hospital board on June 23.
As part of that process Rex Stromquist, engineer with the Health Regulation Division of the Minnesota Department of Health, inspected the Care Center additions.
Stromquist identified 11 items he wanted changed or needed additional clarification on. When those changes have been made, Wraalstad said they would be verified through pictures taken of the corrected work and sent to Mr. Stromquist, who will then complete a certificate of compliance.
Wraalstad said another step in the build-out process was the inspection of the facilities by State Fire Marshal, James Anderson, who was to arrive either June 23 or June 24. After both Stromquist and Anderson have issued certifications of compliance, the Survey and Certification Division of the Minnesota Department of Health will conduct one more final inspection. After a successful inspection, the rooms will be open for residents.
Wraalstad said a letter of certification from the state could come in one day or in one month. “I’m hoping it’s sooner than later. We have a lot of excited folks here who want to get moved into their new rooms.”
The North Shore Health Care Center will be the first project completed in the two-year $24.5 million multiphase hospital/care center renovation and additions.
WiFi to also get an update
Vera Schumann, director of finance, asked the hospital board to approve purchasing a new WiFi system at a cost of $22,000 to replace the current system that is 15 years old and outdated.
As the work progresses on the remodel and expansion, the hospital will need more “access points” for the wireless devices employees use to communicate. Among those items, said Schumann, as more technology comes into play, will be laptops, iPhones, Smartphones, iPads and other tablets, and portable work phones that all need good connections.
“We need to replace the entire system. Moving from one spot to another will not work correctly if mixed with the old system,” said Schumann.
The hospital’s IT Department explored two options and recommended purchasing the Ruckus Wi-Fi System, said Schumann, because it was cheaper than the other option and because it could be managed remotely to work with personal computers.
The board agreed to make the purchase and the system will be put in place as soon as the work on the building allows.
Care Center audit
Wraalstad said the recent results of a case mix survey for the care center came back with excellent results.
Two surveyors from the Minnesota Department of Health conducted an unannounced on-site audit. That audit included a review of residents’ records, observations of residents, and interviews with residents, staff, and families.
“As a result of the audit, only one minor change was made,” said Wraalstad, who thanked Mark Abrahamson, Amy James and the other members of the Interdisciplinary Team for their good work.
Headlocks anyone?
Mind your Ps and Qs when you enter the hospital/ care center because during May and June, six Management of Aggressive Behavior training sessions were offered to more than 100 employees who are now equipped to control and restrain aggressive individuals. Wraalstad said two more sessions were planned for July and another training session will be held in the fall. “The majority of comments from employees who have received the training have been positive and appreciative for receiving the education,” said Wraalstad.
Better prices
As of July 1, North Shore Health will enter into an agreement with St. Luke’s Hospital, which will result in cost savings and provide the hospital with better supply chain management.
The board voted to move away from Group Purchasing Organization (formerly called Amerinet) because Schumann said the benefits of partnering with St. Luke’s would be better in a number of ways for the hospital.
Under the new agreement, Schumann said the hospital would receive a 20 percent annual cost savings on medical supplies, as well as receive educational support related to supply chain services and assistance with supplier/vendor management and access to St. Luke’s Hospital local supply agreements and capital pricing.
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