The workmanship at the entrance to the hospital is inviting. Inside there is a grand fireplace and new art adorns the walls. Staff photo/Brian Larsen
Will the $800,000 per year levy for North Shore Health go up in 2019? Down? Or stay the same?
Typically the hospital board sets the levy for the next year at the August board meeting, but despite discussing it on August 23, the board decided to wait, but it will be a short wait.
The levy must be submitted by September 15 and due to a fluke of scheduling, the board’s next meeting will be on Thursday, September 13 so the board will make the final decision at that meeting.
On Thursday, August 23, the North Shore Hospital board members reviewed the North Shore Health 2018-2021 strategic plan at their regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Five areas were highlighted and strategies outlined in the plan.
The first was quality and patient/resident experience. Six ideas were listed with the first one stating, “Enhance the NSH quality and patient safety programs.”
Access was the second priority. Identifying telemedicine service needs and exploring new program and service needs were top strategies for improving access to offer better care at the hospital.
The community was the third area noted. Two goals listed for improvement were to establish a marketing and public relations program and enhance advocacy participation on a local state and national level.
Listed fourth was viability. To stay viable NSH will need to improve its financial operations and develop data analytics as well as evaluate alternate staffing models. Identifying grant funding opportunities and developing methods for contract management was also highlighted.
The last area listed was cultural and workforce development. Goal number one was to recruit and retain the workforce; enhance NSH culture; develop capable, competent and productive workforce and explore the community workforce housing options.
These goals and priorities will give staff and administration a template to use for the next three years to continually improve the operation at NSH.
A recent inspection of the mammography services at NSH met all of the requirements set forth by the Food and Drug Administration Mammography Quality Standards Act, said NSH Administrator/CEO Kimber Wraalstad.
Wraalstad reported that for the last eight-month NSH has been in conversation with United Healthcare regarding a provider contract. Two areas, reimbursement and the ability to continue to provide existing services, have been identified. “We have negotiated a percentage of charges contract and feel we can continue to provide existing services we currently offer including reference labs.
“United Healthcare has a separate agreement for Home Care and was not able to come to terms on that agreement,” said Wraalstad. “Should a patient with United Health insurance need Home Care, we will address the contract at that time,” she said.
Higher Ed
Talks between Cook County Higher Education, NSH, Sawtooth Mountain Clinic and Grand Portage Health Services have centered on the educational needs of all organizations, particularly in the areas of nursing education. Needed most are registered nurses (RNs) and licensed practical nurses (LPNs). “We are working together to understand the opportunities and restraints in making this educational opportunity happen,” said Wraalstad.
Art to be donated
Marcy Podas, a care center resident, has commissioned works of art that will be displayed in the newly renovated facility. Jeffrey Niesen created several pieces of art that are ready to be revealed. Howard Hedstrom assisted him in creating frames for his art.
A reception to meet Niesen will be held in the care center on Tuesday, September 4.
The second call to artists has been issued. Selected art will be displayed in the hospital/ care center from October 1, 2018 until February 1, 2019. Submissions are requested by September 14, 2018. Installation of the art will be completed by September 30. NSH will sponsor an artist talk and reception.
Stained glass
The NSH Auxiliary has commissioned two stained glass windows to be made by Sharon and Steve Frykman.
The stained glass windows will commemorate the 60-plus years of dedication by their members to the hospital/ care center.
Each stained glass piece will flank either side of the fireplace in the lobby. Rebecca Lewis and Jessica Deink of DSGW architects will help with planning for the design and assist with finding a common theme that works with the design of the lobby while still meeting expectations of the auxiliary and the creativity of the artist.
Telemedicine
Recently North Shore Health entered into a telemedicine agreement with Regions Burn Center in St. Paul. Regions will work with Avera, the hospital’s telemedicine provider, to help with burn victims who come into the emergency department for help.
Financial report
Vera Schumann, FHFMA, director of finance, presented the July 2016 Executive Summary and Financial Report.
“North Shore Health generated income from operations of $41,000 performing $170,000 ahead of budget. Gross hospital patient revenues of $1,223,000 are $173,00 or 12 percent greater than budget. Home Care revenues of $28,000 are $7,000 or 20 percent behind budget. Care Center revenues are $1,000 more than the budget for the month of July,” Schumann said.
“Total operating revenues of $185,000 are $15,000 greater than budget with deductions from revenue of $185,000 that are 15,000 less than budget…”
North Shore Health has a year-to-date loss in operations of $777,000, performing $491,000 behind budget and $191,000 less than last year for the same time period.
Total operating revenues of $9,669,000 are $117,000 below budget and $1,240,000 ahead of last year to date. Operating expenses of $10,477,000 are $375,000 greater than budget and $1,430,000 greater than last year to date.
Unrestricted cash from all sources is $6,699,000 as of July 31, 2018.
Schumann said “Cash remains strong at 154.8 days.”
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