Pocahontas Memorial Hospital Back In The Black For The First Time In Years

Marlinton, WV – Dr. Robert Must, President of the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees, says all the fiscal hard work and sacrifices of the last several months are paying off.

“This is the first time in 6 years that two thirds of the way into the fiscal Year, the hospital is in the black” he says. “This is very significant, we’re not out of the woods, but I think we can see a glimpse of the meadow. And it’s a testimony to a lot of hard work by the Hospital Staff.”

Interim CEO Barbara Lay says the next big hurdle is getting a firm handle on Technology. She says that for what they currently pay for part time Information Technology support, they can hire their own full time IT person. She also discussed a number of other initiatives that will potentially save money and increase efficiency. The Board agrees with her recommendation to seek a qualified IT person. They would prefer someone either from the local community or who at least has ties.

The Board agreed to lease a device similar to a vending machine called a Pyxis Machine. It’s a automated medication and supply dispensing system. It will interface with their billing system and automatically bill medications and supplies to the correct patient’s account. More importantly, it will not allow incorrect medications to be dispensed. It will save nurses’ time and keep track of the inventory automatically.

The Board approved a one year trial contract with Clinical Coding Solutions. CCS will assist in completing patient bills with the correct digital codes before the bills are submitted to insurers. It’s a complicated process and this company has a track record of success. The program has so much potential that Interim CEO Lay is taking the information to her parent organization Minnie Hamilton Health Systems.

The Board announced a vacancy on the Board, the seat formerly held by Ronald Tibbs. The vacant seat is an at large seat; therefore, it can be filled by anyone. County Commission President and Board Member David Fleming says that advertising for the position will be in next weeks’ paper. The County Commission will make the final decision after reviewing all applications.

To apply for a position on the Board of Directors, you need to submit a Letter of Interest to the County Commission. The final decision will probably be made at the Commissions second meeting for the month of April.

In other actions, the Board approved the following: two agreements with Arnett and Foster for auditing services, a list of revised Policies, tabling the Fractures policy until next month, and the financial reports.

The next meeting of the Pocahontas Memorial Hospital Board of Directors will be Thursday the 28th of April.