CCHHS Board Meeting June 4, 2009
CEO William Foley reported that recruitment of top management staff continues with several nearing closure, including HR, PR and Compliance Officer. He noted that the remaining two year window of the ordinance under which CCHHS operates may cause difficulty in recruiting top candidates. The Strategic Planning schedule includes 6 public meetings to start in late July. From the public input at those meetings and the input from internal groups a draft Plan will be written and circulated at more town meetings.
The IT consultant from Affiliated Computer Services (ACS) gave a progress report. In addition to upgrades of various systems that address the electronic medical record, but not electronic billing, a system-wide website will be ready by late July. It will include agendas and minutes of meetings which are now on the website of Secretary to the Board, contracts, procurement policies, job lists and applications. It was noted that maintaining the website is essential. Board members urged an integration of clinical/financial data.
A study of FTEs is in progress; reductions are anticipated Sept. 1. A problem exists at Provident Hospital regarding nursing staff where all budgeted money for Registry nurses has been spent. There is discussion of reducing beds, transferring patients to Stroger hospital. The Finance Committee requests a complete report promptly.
In the Quality Committee report it was noted that there is a backlog in critical services referrals at the Ambulatory Community Health Network (ACHN). The consolidation of surgical services at Stroger proceeds with some labor relations issues surfacing. Questions continue regarding staffing productivity.
The Finance Committee reported on a five hour long meeting at which group purchasing (GPO) was the prominent issue. The budget was built on the assumption of group purchasing as an option. It appears to run up against existing relationships. But the GPO as well as any other vendor must comply with all County ordinances and goals, including those regarding minority and women business hiring. To keep the relationship with vendors transparent, the GPO must log all inquiries and report on past history. A GPO could offer an opportunity as an umbrella for minority companies, offering mentoring and networking. The Board adopted the Committee report, thereby authorizing the use of GPOs.
The Board adjourned to Executive session to discuss several issues, including unionizing of physicians at Stroger Hospital.
--Submitted by Observer Nancy Staunton
No comments:
Post a Comment