A 4-Star rating for Hopkins County Memorial Hospital from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems was an encouragement to Chief Administrator Michael McAndrew and the hospital board Monday night, January 25, 2016, during their monthly board meeting. The HCAHPS survey contains 21 patient perspectives on care and patient rating items that encompass nine key topics: communication with doctors, communication with nurses, responsiveness of hospital staff, pain management, communication about medicines, discharge information, cleanliness of the hospital environment, quietness of the hospital environment, and transition of care. The survey also includes four screener questions and seven demographic items, which are used for adjusting the mix of patients across hospitals and for analytical purposes. McAndrew said that considering the recent encounter with CMS (see story here, here, here, and here), this comes as good news.
Other good news includes the visit by the Department of Labor. In December the Department of Labor notified HCMH that they would be visiting the campus following a complaint that had been filed with them. The result of the DOL investigation was a 100% clean bill of health for the hospital.
Also on the good news front, Tim Kelty, Board Chairman, told the board that he had spoken Monday with one of the attorney’s representing Memorial in formalizing the partnership with CHRISTUS. Kelty said the process is getting closer with a few key documents awaiting completion. Kelty told members the only thing that might delay a March closing is CHRISTUS interest in what they call the synergy between Memorial and Trinity-Mother Francis of Tyler. Recently Trinity-Mother Francis and CHRISTUS announced intent to merge. (See story here.)
The new Express Care is also a bright spot for the board. Business is increasing at the newly opened facility on South Broadway. The clinic has served daily highs of 21 patients, 19 on Monday, and a low of only 2 on their first Sunday open.
Robert Dyles, the new Technology Director at the hospital, has been credited with introducing new security measures to the hospital IT system. Recently the computer system at Titus Regional Hospital in Mt Pleasant was shut down for two to three days due to a security breach.
Dr. Robert Cooper, a third year resident, will add Memorial Hospital and Clinic to his May rotation. Cooper is completing his residence and will return in July to begin practice locally (see story here).
Necessary paperwork has been completed to add three nursing homes to the four nursing homes leased by Hopkins County Memorial Hospital. The seven homes are located in Tyler and Longview. HCMH will assist the homes in improving the quality of service while realizing a greater financial benefit from Medicare/Medicaid for the hospital, home, and patients. HCMH will introduce telemedicine to the homes allowing patients/residents to be seen by doctors without having to leave the nursing home facility unless necessary. HCMH is working on site with the homes owned by Stone Gate and Genesis corporations. A consultant is making rounds to all the homes to make sure the homes are performing appropriately.
The only downside to the Monday night meeting as a report of a low patient count which is normal for January. The low patient count results in a poor financial month for the hospital.
