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Notice of Privacy Practices

Professional Care.    Caring Professionals

Correspondent

During a brief meeting on Tuesday evening, Jan. 23, the Claiborne County Hospital Board reviewed the financial report and agreed to begin development of a new strategic plan. State law requires that hospitals periodically review community developments and the need for appropriate medical services. Previous successful plans have contributed to the hospital's sound financial position and upgrades in technology (such as the new MRI scanner) and services (sleep center). Developing a new strategic plan will require input from all medical stakeholders as well as community input.

The month's financial report noted that the hospital was operating within budget despite a significant drop in emergency (EMS) runs during the month of December. Home Health Services and the Nursing Home were both servicing more patients than expected with Home Health Services adding additional staff to meet the community's needs. Since many skills required by home health, nursing home and hospital staff are the same, the hospital is considering a cross training program that will let some workers volunteer to work in other hospital areas to meet changing requirements or to broaden their experience.

The board noted that in comparison to last January's financial report, the hospital is doing much better. The financial report was accepted with instructions to staff to review laundry cost and bad debt data.

The hospital administrator's report noted that the hospital was currently seeing a large number of flu cases. Board members noted that many local counties had temporarily closed schools due to high levels of absenteeism as well.

Board members were also reminded of the ground-breaking ceremony (see related article) that was scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 24.