By Roger Lanse

At the Friday, Oct. 23 meeting of the Gila Regional Medical Center Board of Trustees, members learned that GRMC, along with most of the country, is experiencing reduced volumes of surgeries because persons insured under the Affordable Care Act, in many cases, can't afford the higher copays and deductibles the ACA requires.

Chief Executive Officer Brian Cunningham also related how GRMC is expanding its contracts around supporting the hospital's revenue cycle, which is a term used to describe collections from patients for services rendered, and how they have retained the largest revenue cycle supporting company in the U.S. to help GRMC manage, and make more efficient, its revenue cycle.

Cunningham also alluded to the challenging pace GRMC has faced the past few months. He urged everybody to stay calm and stay focused. “Well get through this, he stated.

The Chief Nursing Officer Peggy White stated that her department has been putting the internship program for new nurses in place. Hopefully, she said, these caregivers can move into positions currently covered by traveling nurses. “We'll know more by the end of November,” she said.

The Interim Chief Financial Officer Michael Rolph told the group that “we're significantly below where we need to be.” He stated that admissions were down 18 percent and surgeries were down 16 percent, while other areas were up. “Overall, although it's not a large bottom line, we've maintained a higher net revenue, which has offset the volume cut.”

Dr. Greg Koury, chief of staff, informed the board that the medical staff bylaws went through the general medical staff without a hitch although there were a few minor changes. The Board approved the bylaws.

Three agreements were approved by the Board;

1. A three-year agreement with David Friedman, MD, to provide general surgery services,
2. A one-year agreement, with a 3-year automatic renewal, with UNM hospital in Albuquerque to share information and telehealth service, and
3. With New Mexico Oncology Hematology Consultants to facilitate flu vaccinations of HC personnel who provide oncology services to GRMC.

In the Plant and Facility Committee, it was reported they discussed replacing the generator and automatic transfer switch, which was done without a hitch. They also discussed a radiology room project, a medical office building study, a lab renovation study, and a mental health safety report, among others.

The Human Resource Committee report showed that contract labor costs increased last month, which was tied principally to traveling nurses coming in. Monthly applications for employment increased from 117 to 149.

Magdaleno Manzanares, vice-president of external affairs at Western New Mexico University, was introduced as the newest member of the GRMC-BOT.