Skip to main content

BBGH Trustees met April 24

The Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees met Monday, April 24 for their regular monthly meeting. After approving the consent calendar, the Trustees heard from Chief Quality Officer Mary Mockerman who presented highlights from the Nebraska Coalition for Patient Safety (NCPS) report, which included an incident involving thermal injuries. The injury happened to a patient with a circulation deficit who was admitted to a Nebraska hospital. He was elderly and had poor circulation in his lower extremities. Having pain in one leg, diagnostics studies were ordered for the following morning. He had a hydrocollator pack prescribed, which is essentially a hot pack that is filled with sand, then soaked in hot water. Wrapped in a towel and a thermal blanket, nurses then placed the pack on his leg for heat therapy. The packet was left in place on the patient for 45 minutes. When it was removed his leg was not immediately inspected.  The next day it was discovered he had extensive second degree burns. The hospital did a risk assessment and it was determined the hospital did not have a physician’s order for use of the thermal pack. They also didn’t immediately consult with the burn unit on how to treat the burn. After BBGH received the NCPS report, Carolyn Jones, CNO, led a risk assessment with her nursing team about the use of hydrocollators. The Rehab Department did as well. The risk assessment determined that it was unlikely BBGH would have a similar instance happen here. No thermal injuries have been reported in the last two years at BBGH related to heat or cold therapy. The hospital follows manufacturer’s instructions, with policy and procedures established on how those packs and blankets can be used and on whom.

Ms. Mockerman continued her report with information on infection prevention, saying influenza is on the downhill side. Almost 90% is Type B, which has less severe symptoms. The overall incidents of flu were considerably higher this year than in the past. The vaccines were 48% effective and Type B vaccines were 73% effective. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) considers such rates a good outcome.

“There have also been two health alerts on measles, identified as one case in Omaha last month and a recent case in North Platte,” said Ms. Mockerman. A recent concern was at a youth soccer tournament in North Platte where exposure could have occurred to an individual. Further investigation ruled that out. Original cases came out of Kansas which trickled into Nebraska. Incubation period for the baseline cases from Kansas has expired, but it’s still on the radar.

The board also conducted the following business.

The Trustees recognized Sarah Lunbery, RN, OB Department, as the April Employee of the Month. Also recognized were Angie Valdez and Tyler Wagner for being promoted to co-coordinators in the laboratory; and Gail Burke as the hospital’s Accreditation Specialist. 

Chief of Staff Dr. Tim Narjes was not present to give his report.

Ms. Mazanec then handed the floor over to Safety Officer James Koeteman for the Governance/Strategy Focus to discuss Annual Safety Education with the board. Mr. Koeteman reviewed the emergency code systems, 2017 activities involving safety, and the plan loss control/workers compensation plan.

Ms. Mazanec presented the board with Line of Credit Documents through Sandhills State Bank for the trustees to sign. Ms. Mazanec then invited the board to attend the RNHN Joint Board of Trustees Meeting on April 30.

After unanimously approving all credentialing requests, the board adjourned at 7:51 pm. The next regular meeting will be held Monday, May 22 at 7:00 pm in the BBGH Alliance Room. As always, the public is invited to attend.

Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.