The Box Butte General Hospital (BBGH) Board of Trustees meeting was called to order at 12 p.m. Monday, October 25th in the Alliance Room at BBGH. The month’s agenda included updates on Quality Management & Safety, a revision made to the temporary visitor’s policy, and the Board of Trustees election of officers. The consent calendar and credentialing requests were all approved as presented.
Quality and Safety updates included the current state of COVID-19 vaccinations and treatment. Chief Quality Officer Mary Mockerman stated that COVID-19 booster shots for the three different vaccines have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). To be eligible for the Moderna or Pfizer booster shot, the COVID-19 vaccine must have been administered six months+ prior, be 65+ years of age, or 18+ years of age and live in a high-risk environment or work in a high-risk occupation. There is no requirement on which booster shot is administered based on vaccine type. If the Moderna was administered, the Pfizer booster shot is ok to receive. If a COVID-19 test is needed there are free COVID-19 testing options for individuals seeking one. Community Action Health Center, Gering, Walgreens, Scottsbluff, and Nomi Health, Scottsbluff are free COVID-19 testing sites. If an individual is experiencing severe symptoms of COVID-19, contact a primary care provider and request the Monoclonal Antibody therapy.
On October 22nd, BBGH implemented changes to the temporary visitor policy put in place. Due to the continued community-related COVID-19 exposures, and in an effort to protect patients, visitors and staff, BBGH has revised the visitor policy for the Emergency Room and Inpatient (PCU) departments. There will be no visitors permitted for COVID-19 patients and one designated adult visitor for non-COVID-19 patients. Patients with an appointment at the Greater Nebraska Medical and Surgical Services (GNMSS) clinic, rehab, radiology, laboratory, and specialty clinic may have one adult and up to two children and one infant six months of age or younger accompany them. Children may not be left unattended in waiting rooms.
The election of offices for the Board of Trustees took place. Tom Furman, DVM was elected as Chairman, John Annen as Secretary, and Randy Langemeier as Treasurer. Tom Cummings and Barb Straub also serve as board members.
New BBGH employees include Natasha Lyttle, RN, Staff Nurse, Megan Salzer, Scrub Tech/Ward Clerk, Cait Vandenham, Temperature Screener, Megan McLaughlin, LPN, Staff Nurse, Apsara Thapaliya, RN, Staff Nurse, and Elena Dawn, Clinic Registration Clerk. Also recognized was October Employee of the Month Megan Meggison, LPN, Staff Nurse.
The next BBGH regular board meeting is Monday, November 29th at noon in the Alliance Room. The public is welcome to attend.
Box Butte General Hospital is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
