Northfield Hospital and Clinics Board Meeting Observer Report from November 21, 2024
l. Executive Summary
ll. Call to Order
lll.Regular and Consent Agenda
lV. Reports
VI. Presentations/Discussion/Action Items
- Workplace Violence Update (Tammy Hayes, COO)
There are new requirements from the State of Minnesota concerning workplace violence. Figuring out how to be compliant with the new rules is challenging.
This process began in July 2016 in Northfield with a task force divided into subgroups looking at things like training, physical security, crisis intervention, communication and patient care. It has led to changes including increased security 24/7, identified safe rooms in the hospital, expanded training in crisis intervention, using telemedicine for behavioral health assessments, a behavioral emergency response team, active shooter training. COVID put much of this effort on hold for a few years. The task force was restarted in July 2023. On July 1, 2023 the legislature passed MN Statute 144.566 the Violence Against Health Care Workers Act. This requires action plans, evaluation of risk factors, training, risk assessments and reporting. Starting on 1/1/25, hospitals have to submit an action plan to the Department of Health. This action plan must include training for all staff for how to respond and de-escalate acts of violence, an action plan for response, resources for workers who experience violence, annual drills and other things. There must be coordination with local law enforcement. The data about incidents will probably not be made public– too much possibility of manipulating data and comparing hospitals.
- Bond Re-Financing (Eric Guth, CFO)
The hospital needs to refinance their debt. Wintrust Bank (Chicago) had the best proposal. It was recommended to the board that they accept the proposal and it passed unanimously. It will go to the City Council on November 26th. The finance committee worked hard on this with the CFO.
VI. Executive and Committee Reports
- CEO Report (Steve Underdahl, President and CEO)
October was in the black, but not as good as was predicted. So far, a relatively mild respiratory illness period. Expense controls have been stable and consistent throughout the year.
Public facing technologies continue to be refined (urgent care wait times, website, on-line appointments and reminders etc.) There will be a full update in December.
We don’t know what the changes will be following the election in November. Some concern about the focus being on dismantling infrastructure vs. new policy development.
There is Minnesota legislation proposed which would have insurance companies collect money from their clients rather than having hospitals have to collect the money. Robert Bierman has been an advocate for hospitals and has worked hard to understand issues.
The law to allow expanded use of telemedicine (used extensively during COVID) expires at the end of 2024 and congress needs to renew it. This is a concern.
The hospital is renewing telehealth services with Allina– teleneurology and infectious disease.
- Financial Report (Eric Guth, CFO)
There have been high clinic volumes and low inpatient volumes in October (Birth Center and medical). Rehab, imaging, cancer care are up. Surgeries, and births are under budget.
Gross operating revenues were 2.2 million under budget and net revenue was 1.3 million under budget.
IV fluid– we have what we are expected to need. If there was a crisis for some reason there could be a problem.
- Verbal Community Relations Committee Report (Robert Morrison)
The committee met last week to review health care grant requests. There are 15 requests still being considered.
VII. Rountable/Announcements/Questions (Sarah Carlson, Board Chair)
New CEO Zander Abbott will start on January 20th. The board will meet on January 30th.
Respectfully submitted by observer Anne Larson.
