SABINE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
MEETING MINUTES

November 22, 2010

The Sabine County Hospital District Board of Directors met in Regular Session on Monday, November 22, 2010 at 5:30PM in the Sabine County Hospital Board Room 167.

Present
Phil Yocom, President
Earl Willis, VP & Treasurer
Joe McNaughten, Secretary
Richard Barnett, Member at Large
Becky Pardue, Office Manager

Absent
Dr. Lana Comeaux, Member

Others Present
Diana Taylor, Hospital Administrator
Monica Keeton, Operations Supervisor - Acadian Ambulance Service
Montez McNaughten, Citizen
Danielle Ebarb, Sabine County Reporter

I.	President Yocom called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m.

II.	Mr. Barnett opened the meeting with prayer. 

III.	Mrs. McNaughten expressed how wonderful it is to see how Sabine County Hospital has transformed within the past four years.  She believes there has been nothing but positive progression. Mr. Yocom thanked Mrs. McNaughten for her comments.

IV.	Mr. Barnett moved to accept the consent items and financials. Mr. Willis seconded the motion.  Motion carried.

V.	The date of December 20, 2010 for the next regular board meetings will remain the same. No action taken.

VI.	Mrs. Taylor mentioned that she spoke with Larry Stephens, CFO for Preferred Management.  According to Mr. Stephens, things are going well at year end and if things continue, Sabine County Hospital will end on a good note.  After determining there were no questions from the Board, Mr. Willis moved to accept the report.  Mr. Barnett seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  

VII.	Ms. Keeton reviewed Acadian Ambulance Services’ reports for August to October 2010. The August call volume was 98 and saw the company utilizing two ambulances 27 times for the month and three ambulances 3 times.  The September call volume was 86 and saw the company utilizing two ambulances 12 times for the month and three ambulances zero times.  The October call volume was 89 and saw the company utilizing two ambulances 22 times for the month and three ambulances 3 times.  Mr. Yocom asked about recent activity when five ambulances were dispatched.  Ms. Keeton confirmed that during one November weekend, Acadian had an opportunity to use five of their units at one time. Mr. McNaughten believes that Acadian’s relationship with Sabine County’s First Responders was working out well and asked Mr. Keeton’s opinion.  According to Keeton, Sabine County’s First Responders are the best she has ever worked with.  Mr. Yocom mentioned that he is unaware of another ambulance company with the resources to have five units working at the same time in one county. Mr. Willis expressed his appreciation for Acadian’s hard work.  Mr. Barnett asked if Mrs. Taylor had any concerns with Acadian.  Mrs. Taylor expressed how well things are working with Acadian and concerns have been addressed immediately.  Mr. Barnett moved to accept the reports.  Mr. Willis seconded the motion. Motion carried.

VIII.	Mrs. Taylor mentioned the Hospital’s Inpatient Census is nearly 5% higher to date as compared to 2009. She has scheduled on December 7th a visit with a prospective physician who is double board certified in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. In addition, Mrs. Taylor proudly added that Sabine County Hospital has received $2,500 in Trauma Grant Funds.  Sabine County Hospital is one out of fifteen hospitals/EMS in the state of Texas awarded.  On October 28th, Mrs. Taylor attended a long-term planning meeting with Preferred Corporate staff and all Sabine County Hospital Department Heads.  As a result, Preferred has authorized expenditures of over $80,000 in equipment to be purchased between November and December 2010.  Equipment purchases will include: Video GlideScope, new dining room furnishings, new transcription voice system for Medical Records, an EW-Way Smart lift, a Geri-chair recliner, 2 I-Stat Machines, a new Croup Tent, a new Percussor, a new rooftop Air Conditioner unit to go in the CT Room and 4 new computers, in addition to other small equipment items and furnishings.  A Trauma Level recertification survey will be held in November with Surveyor to be onsite on November 29th and 30th.  Labor costs have been below normal for the past three months due to a stable nursing staff and less reliance on agency staffing.  Mrs. Taylor added Medicare use is averaging 68.96% from January to October 2010. Also, Sabine County Hospital is entering into an agreement with Hemphill Care Center (HCC) to provide reference lab services for the nursing home effective December 8th.  HCC is now referring swing bed patients to the hospital when they are at 100% capacity. A change in management is being made with the Rural Health Clinic effective November 19, 2010.  Applications are currently being accepted.  In conclusion, Mrs. Taylor offered the Quality Assessment Statistics from January through October 2010.  In reference to the statistics, Mr. McNaughten asked Mrs. Taylor why people would leave the ER without being seen and against medical advice.  Mrs. Taylor explained the majority is due to patients not wanting to wait on additional tests or because patients leave after not being given their drug of choice. Mr. Willis moved to accept the Hospital Administrators report.  Mr. McNaughten seconded the motion. Motion carried. 

IX.	There is no new information concerning the shelter of last resort. No action taken.

X.	The Hospital District received two additional bids from the public to trim trees and perform other work on Sabine County Hospital District property.  Mr. Yocom mentioned the District still has a bid from Whiteside Fabrication and Welding, for $6,100 opened during last month’s regular meeting.  The first bid opened by Mr. Yocom was from M. Brock, Inc. in the amount of $3,200 for the removal and stump grinding of six dead trees located between Sabine County Hospital and the Hemphill Family Medicine Office.  The second bid opened by Mr. Yocom was also from M. Brock, Inc. in the amount of $1,500 for the trimming of trees located in the requested area.  Mr. Yocom asked how necessary is it to trim the trees.  Mr. McNaughten and Mr. Barnett believed that given the bid amounts, the trimming of trees is not necessary.  Mr. Willis moved to reject all bids.  Mr. McNaughten seconded the motion.  Motion carried.  

XI.	Concerning the Sabine County Hospital District’s Depository, four bids were received from financial institutions in town.  The first bid opened by Mr. Yocom was from Shelby Savings Bank.  Their letter explained that due to their current asset structure they will not be submitting a bid.  After all Board Members present reviewed the bids, Mr. Willis recommended nothing be done with the District’s Depository until further information can be received from the banking institutions. Due to his Public Funds Training on November 18th and 19th, he believes more information is required before the District can make a decision.  Mr. Yocom moved to table Depository bids until next meeting when Mr. Willis can report any new information and recommendations.  Mr. McNaughten seconded the motion. Motion carried.

XII.	Mr. Yocom and Mr. Willis attended Hospital training in San Antonio on November 10th – 12th.  Part of their seminar dealt with Compliance Training. No action taken. 

XIII.	There is no new information concerning an Adult Day Care Service Facility. No action taken.

XIV.	No closed session.  

XV.	Board Member Comments:
Mr. Barnett: Appreciated Mr. Willis’ efforts with the Public Funds Training.
Mr. McNaughten: As a Board Member, he appreciates Mrs. McNaughten’s continued support and could not do anything without her.
Mr. Willis: Reminded those present that the Hospital was nearly bankrupt a few years ago.  He extended congratulations to the Board because the District’s account is close to one million now.
Mr. Yocom: Mentioned how important the Hospital is to the economy of Sabine County. 

Citizen Comments:
Mrs. McNaughten: She also is very proud of how the Hospital is being run.  She encourages anyone to experience Sabine County Hospital as it is today and how it is run.

XVI.	Meeting adjourned at 6:27 pm.

_________________________________                 ___________________________________
Phil Yocom, President				Joe McNaughten, Secretary
Sabine County Hospital District			Sabine County Hospital District
Board of Directors 					Board of Directors