Peoria Standard

Peoria County Health Committee met February 28.

Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:

Members Present: Sharon Williams - Chairman, Phillip Salzer - Vice Chairman; Allen Mayer, Steven Rieker

Members Absent: Robert Baietto, Barry Robinson

Others Present: Scott Sorrel - County Administrator; Shauna Musselman, Mark Rothert - Assistant County Administrator; Larry Evans - State's Attorney's Office; Andrew Rand - County Board Chairman; Gregory Adamson, Brad Harding - County Board Member; Eric Dubrowski - Chief Financial Officer; Randy Brunner - Finance; Dan O'Connell - Facilities Director; Angela Loftus - Asst. Director of Personnel; Dave Ryan - Supervisor of Assessments; Nicole Demetreas - Treasurer's Office; Mark Little - Chief Information Officer; Doug Gaa - Sheriff's Office; Melissa Adamson, Monica Hendrickson - Health Department

Call to Order:

Chairman Williams called the meeting to order at 2:04 pm.

Informational Items / Reports / Other Minutes / Updates:

• Board of Health

Ms. Adamson, Director of Community Health Policy & Planning and Assistant Administrator of the Health Department and Monica Hendrickson, Epidemiologist at the Health Department presented an overview of the Health Department; the program areas and current work in terms of community approach.

• Heddington Oaks Update 

Marketing Report 

Ms. Musselman advised that January saw 64 referrals, 19 admissions, 23 discharges and 23 tours of the facility. She noted that the ongoing television campaign will be expanded in midMarch to include family testimonials. She advised that a Job Fair for available positions was held this past weekend. She stated that as part of the Job Fair, pre-screenings were held with several potential applicants, with one nurse interviewing for a position. Mr. Fennell commented that the majority of referrals come from hospitals, and asked if any marketing efforts are focused in that area. Ms. Musselman advised that the internal admissions team works closely with local hospitals, and are in 24 hour contact with discharge planners at those facilities. She added that community marketing is also advantageous. 

Ms. Williams advised that the Family Forums continue, and commented that six additional individuals have expressed a desire to serve. 

Mr. Sorrel advised that the posted position of Finance Director has closed, and the posted position of Administrator will close next week. 

Discussion Topics 

Mr. Sorrel advised that staff and the Committee Chair met to identify informational topics related to the operations of the facility. He stated that the topics fall into one of three categories: financial, operational and long-term vision/policy. He advised that over the next several months, staff will report on a variety of topics including the food bid, the Medicare Wing, Collective Bargaining Agreement and Financial Model.

Mr. Rieker referenced an evaluation and recommendation cited in the Efficiency Study, that being "the financial performance of the nursing home has not met the business plan adopted at the time the County Board determined to build Heddington Oaks", with the recommendation being that "the department should work with the County Board to establish clear financial performance indicators and performance expectations for the nursing home operation". He asked if financial indicators are in place or if that is a topic to include in discussions. Mr. Sorrel stated that the County has a financial model that is in need of updating, and will be the responsibility of the facility Finance Director. He added that there are no specific performance indicators, and will be a critical piece of an updated model

Financials 

Mr. Brunner advised that the report includes financial information through November 30, 2016. He commented that Total Accounts Receivable is up $365,000.00, a trend of several months, and of some concern. He added that the Private Pay and Medicaid Pending over 120 days have both increased over 50%.

Mr. Brunner advised that revenues are running below budget, although a slight profit is shown before capital and depreciation, as expenses are down. He stated that the census figures are down 14 in both year to date and month to month comparisons. 

Mr. Rand noted a discrepancy in the Total Asset and Total Liabilities & Net Assets figures on the Balance Sheet, and Mr. Brunner advised that he would review and report back to the committee.

Mr. Adamson noted that the nearly $2 million levied as revenue could be considered the taxpayers contribution and not monies paid for services rendered. He also commented on his understanding that retirement benefits associated with employees are not included on the expense side of the income statement. Mr. Dubrowski explained that the Change in Net Position of an $870,000.00 deficit includes depreciation, and inclusive of the .6¢ levy referenced (in the non-operating revenue line). He stated that the IMRF & FICA expenses of $950,000.00 year to date is a separate tax levy that appears in the IMRF & FICA funds. Mr. Mayer additionally commented that the .6¢ levy is reported in accordance with bond houses and Governmental Accounting Standards Boards (GASB) auditing and accounting rules.

Mr. Harding asked if a stated goal of reducing the number of agency staffing has been realized. Mr. Sorrel advised that a standing goal has been to attempt to minimize the use of agency staffing as much as possible, although the nature of the industry necessitates usage at times. He commented that the amount of agency staffing has been exacerbated at a national level by a national nursing shortage, and compounded at a local level due to competition with local hospitals. He advised that he would research data on agency usage in the past several years and report to the committee. Mr. Brunner commented that agency salary decreased by $37,000.00 (18%) over November 2015

Resolution:

• Approval of CMS Payment 

A motion to approve was made by Mr. Salzer and seconded by Mr. Fennell. Ms. Musselman advised that IDPH conducted a survey in November 2016 related to an isolated incident that occurred at the facility. She stated that the incident involved both a CNA employed by Heddington Oaks and an agency nurse. She advised that the employee was ultimately terminated and the agency nurse is no longer allowed to operate within the facility. The facility was issued a tag and a fine by IDPH, and made a recommendation to CMS to fine the facility an additional amount. She stated that the county received a 35% reduction in the fine levied by IDPH by waiving the right to a hearing. She advised that the fine levied by CMS totaled $51,153.00, and by waiving the right to a hearing the total would be reduced to $33,249.45. The motion carried.

Miscellaneous:

Ms. Williams advised that as the Public Health Administrator has taken the VRI, the Board of Health will meet this evening at 6:00 p.m. to appoint an interim Administrator for the Health Department. 

Adjournment:

The meeting was adjourned by Chairman Williams at 3:00 p.m.

http://www.peoriacounty.org/download?path=%2Fcountyboard%2FCommittee_Agenda_and_Minutes%2F2017%2FMarch%2F28+-+County+Health%2FCounty+Health+Agenda+3-28-17.pdf