Hospital board receives several reports

During the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees’ final meeting for 2017, the board had little action but quite a few informational reports.

Hospital CEO Margie Molitor, reporting with regard to growth, that on Jan. 3 and 4 the hospital will have two visiting physicians from the Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho (WWAMI) program to talk about the rural residency program.

The WWAMI program is affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine, and reserves 20 seats each year for qualified Wyoming residents.

Molitor also reported she had all staff meetings last week, with 73 people attending, which she was pleased with. She further added she also makes sure to touch base with employees. During the meeting itself, she spoke about the recent partnership with Red Rock Family Practice, provided an update on the building project and update on benefit changes.

Also in her report, Molitor noted Colleen Hanson has been working as the hospitalist and emergency room provider since Dec. 8, which has been very well received by patients, family, staff and clinic physicians. It does allow the physicians to see their clinic patients without putting them on hold to go to the emergency room.

Dr. Kellie Flippin of Rocky Mountain Oncology Center in Casper will be coming on the third Wednesday of every month beginning in January, Molitor said. The doctor is coming Dec. 28 for a meet and greet so staff can get to know her.

Dr. Jason Weyer provided a medical staff report, during which he said they visited about different things, one of them being Cerner and developing some more open communication in order to work collaboratively with other facilities using the service — 14 total — to speak as one voice for some changes rather than the hospital having a feeling of being out here on its own.

Weyer also reported they are continually updating policies to keep up with changing and updating standards. “In the almost 12 years I’ve been here,” Weyer said, “the amount of things that have changed just in, we’ll say, obstetrics, is impressive.” Babies still come out the same way, but things are done differently to manage them and the delivery process.

To that end, Weyer, noted, there is a new set of bilirubin (bili) lights, which are used to treat jaundice in newborns to prevent kernitcterus, or “brain staining,” which can cause mental handicaps. There is also a new warmer available, he said, which can also provide infant weight and other vital information. Weyer said the “bells and whistles” are not there because they want them, but the information can help medical staff respond quickly to respiratory issues if they arise.

Weyer said he looks forward to continuing to provide good care through the upcoming transitions, both of the partnership between the hospital and Red Rock, and the expansion and renovation of the hospital.

The next meeting of the HSCMH Board of Trustees is Jan. 30 at 6:30 p.m.