Edition 14
Shane:
Shane’s leadership, dedication, and kindness made a lasting impact on both the Radiology Department and our entire hospital community. This is a significant loss for all of us.
During this difficult time, I want to emphasize that we are here to support each other. We understand that grief can be overwhelming, and I encourage anyone who feels the need to talk or seek guidance to reach out. Grief counseling resources are available, and we are committed to providing whatever support is necessary as we process this loss together. OHBC will be here Thursday from noon to 4 in the Boardroom. If anyone would like to meet, they will be available.
This morning, I attended the monthly Okanogan Public Health check-in call with all the county's health organizations. We normally talk about patient transfers, census, or public health concerns, but today, a good part of the call was dedicated to remembering Shane. I was struck by how interconnected we are with all the hospitals, clinics, and EMS. I wanted to share that our partner organizations are passing along their condolences.
A little northern lights action from Monday night
Projects:
We’ve got a lot going on but here are some highlights:
The Pyxis servers were successfully updated on Friday (thanks Kelsey, Cheryl, Jody, and Carlos). A separate project to install new pyxis machines will kick off shortly.
The mobile CT unit arrived and is in place. This setup is not ideal and will require a few extra hands to manage the double doors and lift.
Tomorrow, we will start the process of tearing down the old CT and installing the new one.
The planned power outage allowed the construction team to connect new wiring and the PUD to replace the transformer. We did not anticipate losing power on the second floor of the St. Martin’s building. Thanks for everyone’s flexibility.
We are getting closer to the launch of a new timecard and payroll system. Watch for opportunities to train on UKG.
Flu shots are available at the nurses stations, or you can stop by the CNO office on Friday from 11-3 to get one there.
Budget:
We are working on the 2025 Budget, starting at the department level, to identify items past their useful life or planned for replacement. This includes estimating volume or service line changes, staffing levels, or other cost changes. The budget will eventually be approved by the Board and will serve as a tool to measure our financial performance in the next year.
CNO Recruitment:
We started the second round of CNO interviews last week and had our first candidate visit. I received some questions about why I hadn’t announced the candidate names, and while there aren’t any secrets in a small town, we are trying to respect any external candidates’ current employment. Our next candidate will visit the area at the end of next week. There will be an opportunity for a meeting and greet; watch for an email from HR.
IV Saline Solution Shortage:
Hurricane Helene flooded the Baxter manufacturing plant, which produces a large portion of the US’s IV saline solution. There is no timeline for its return to production. Like every other hospital, our supplies are running low, and all supplies are allocated saline at 10%-40% of historical usage. Med Staff will discuss options for conserving our supplies, but there is significant nationwide concern about the impact on patients.
CEO Contract and Compensation:
In my Board meeting recap email, I shared that the Board extended my contract, but I have a few more details to share. My contract was extended until September 2028 and outlines my responsibilities and compensation. There isn’t a guarantee that the Board will keep me here for the entire time, as they have the option to terminate the contract early. For my part, I am committed to NVH and Tonasket and hope to continue to grow older (and balder) in this role.
One question that most folks are too polite to ask is how much I get paid. It is an important question, particularly as rural hospitals struggle financially and the gap between highly compensated employees and minimum wage continues to grow.
In Washington State, Hospital CEO compensation ranges from multimillion-dollar a year salaries for the big hospitals and systems to around $100,000 at very small hospitals. I am paid a rate that lands between an RN and an MD, which I think makes sense for the size of our organization. However, I also recognize that I am fortunate to be in the financial position that I am in.
If you are curious about executive compensation, the Department of Health compiles a list each year of the highest-paid non-physicians at each hospital. It is available on the DOH Website by downloading the excel document.