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BBGH March Board Meeting

Box Butte General Hospital continues to maintain patient safety, stay up to date on State and National Healthcare legislation, and celebrate new staff.

During Staff Reports, Mary Mockerman, CQO, discussed Patient Safety Awareness Week and the tools BBGH uses to assist staff in maintaining safety in all care settings. Mary provided the definition of Safety Culture: “Safety culture is the sum of what an organization is and does in the pursuit of safety.” The Joint Commission accreditation manual defines Safety Culture as the product of individual and group beliefs, values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behavior that determine the organization’s commitment to quality and patient safety.

“BBGH has been working with National Patient Safety goals since 2004.” Mary goes on, “One of our core values is safety. Safety is a non-negotiable for Box Butte General Hospital. So when the hospital makes an error it’s not because BBGH was not being careful. We really want to focus on that, so we don’t just say, “I’ll be more careful next time”. The follow up question for such a response is, “Did you not come to work careful?”  Being more careful won’t solve the problem. We have to figure out how that specific error was made and take steps to prevent it in the future. That is the focus of Just Culture and what we promote here.”

Recently, BBGH staff attended the Nebraska Hospital Association’s (NHA) Advocacy Day, a half-day workshop that provides hospital CEOs, advocacy team members, trustees, key hospital staff, state senators and their staff, leaders of DHHS and other state health care advocates with important information about state and federal legislative issues along with issues impacting Nebraska hospitals. CEO, Lori Mazanec briefed the board on elements from the workshop.  One presentation focused on Human Trafficking by Anne Boatright MSN, RN, SANE-A from the Nebraska Attorney General’s office. Senator Linehan introduced LB518 which establishes the Office of Support for Trafficking Survivors within DHHS. One of the most alarming statistics shared was that 88% of victims were seen in a healthcare facility. “So we have to continue the conversation on how do we address, assess, and provide our staff with the education and resources so if we see this happening in our facility and clinics we are prepared.” Lori said. Box Butte General Hospital will host Anne Boatright for a public discussion on April 24 from 6:30 to 7:30 in the Alliance room on human trafficking. The NHA is developing a toolkit about Human Trafficking that will be shared with hospitals to assist with staff and public awareness and prevention. The BBGH website has detailed information on human trafficking. Click here to access it.

Another segment of the day showcased a panel discussion on Workplace Violence in Hospitals; three current hospital administrators had experienced workplace violence incidents in their hospitals and shared the impact and responses to those events, including changes in workflow processes and security measures taken. One of the suggestions was on how to control the hospital’s environment and how to maintain safety at the facility. It is one of the reasons BBGH’s Emergency Room does not have public access through the main hospital. That choice was intentional. BBGH has staff trained in non-violent crisis interventions used as one approach to help de-escalate situations. Senator Lowe introduced LB484 which increases the penalty for an assault on a security officer working at a hospital and Senator Kolterman’s LB216 prohibits releasing a person in law enforcement custody to avoid medical costs if passed.  Both Legislative Bills support efforts preventing Workplace Violence.

Mazanec concluded the NHA Advocacy Day recap mentioning several key issues and bills of focus in the Unicameral.  The implementation plan for Medicaid Expansion is due April 1, 2019.  “We don’t know how Medicaid expansion will affect Box Butte General Hospital,” Lori stated also mentioning, “No one knows what this looks like at this time, but will learn more as CMS approves the state Plan Amendment.” Jen Porter, Ed.D., the American Hospital Association’s Regional Executive, also shared her view from Washington, D.C., and the impact federal issues have to rural healthcare. 

Chief of Staff Dr. Timothy Narjes briefed the board on a recent education opportunity for providers on the topic of opioids as per the recommendations by the State of Nebraska. BBGH medical staff members implement alternative medications for opioids with current patient care. Alternative methods to treating pain include: massage, patient repositioning, heat, cold, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.  Education on opioids is a statewide initiative along with new reporting procedures.

BBGH CFO Luke Senden presented the monthly Financial Report, stating the hospital had a good month in February and, “continues to outperform budget.” After unanimously approving the financial report, the trustees took action on a resolution to update the hospital’s financial assistance policy.

Recent accomplishments of employees were acknowledged with Kailee Kelley, Dialysis Manager selected as the March Employee of the Month. New employees starting this month include: Alex Keener, HR Assistant, Katy Dassuncao, Rehab Tech, Timothy Rogers, Nursing Assistant, Felipa Gonzalez, EVS, and Molly Hartman, CRNA.

The board entered into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m. to discuss the CEO contract. After discussion, the open meeting convened at 8:20 p.m. and adjourned at 8:21 p.m. with no action taken.

The next board meeting is Monday, April 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Alliance room. The public is welcome to attend.

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