Health Board Meeting

October 12, 2006

*Minutes*

 

Meeting called to order at 5:06 PM, by Arch Super, Chairman

 

Roll Call:

Arch Super, Chairman

Leeon Hillman, Treasurer

Alvis Johnson, Member at Large

Robert Goodwin, Member at Large

Florrine Super, Secretary

Roy Arwood, Member at Large

Florence Conrad, Member at Large

 

Quorum is established.

 

Robert Goodwin read the Health Mission Statement aloud.

 

Agenda:

Alvis motioned and Florrine seconded to approve the agenda with changes, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Minutes of September 14, 2006:

Florrine motioned and Florence seconded to approve minutes of September 14, 2006, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Guests 1: Amy Coapman, Yreka FNP

Amy is present to provide her proposal to the Council regarding the option of recruiting another FNP for the Yreka Clinic. She explained that there has been a vacancy in the staff of a physician and a full time nurse for Yreka for some time. She explained that there is not a suitable candidate at this time and a shortage across the nation for registered nurses.

The viable option is to hire a full time FNP. This position would be a Nurse position as well. They would continue to recruit a full time position for a physician, but currently the facility is over booked and the patient population is not well served with the lack of a provider. She would like to present her proposal and ask that the Council approve this as a full time position so recruitment may begin.

She has discussed this with the fiscal office, and long term this is sustainable as a FNP wages are significantly lower than a physician.

Dr. North would supervise the midlevel similar to other FNP’s that work in Yreka. Amy would assist the new midlevel if brought onboard, so they could become familiar. Dr. Burns stated that either Dr. North or he would supervise as they are physicians and it is required to have a physician supervise a midlevel. Dr. Burns requests a proctoring process for one hour a week. He would like this to be done to ensure the practitioner would have a good skill set and have the ability to practice independently.

Amy stated that Dr. North is very detailed and would like to provide the supervision since she is also a Yreka provider. Flo asked if there is a FNP that is interested. Amy explained that there are three RN’s that have completed the FNP program, and she believes that there is a better availability of a FNP then a physician at this time.

Dr. Burns stated that the midlevel that he has had the privilege to work with is very beneficial. She sees several patients, and has a great relationship with them. He believes this is a viable solution.

Robert asked if there is a job description in place. Amy stated that the job description would be the same as hers.

Arch asked if there would still be the desire to recruit a physician. He wonders if maybe employing two midlevel’s instead of employing a midlevel and a physician would work as well. Amy would like to discuss this and bring it up with Laura at a later time, but would like to begin recruitment of a FNP immediately if the Council approves one position at this time.

 

Laura recommends increasing the staffing by only one midlevel at this time.

 

Robert motioned and Florrine seconded to move forward with the staffing plan as presented by Amy Coapman, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

The RN position will be pulled and Barbara will notify Sara of the intent to recruit.

 

Guest 2: Dr. Burns, Happy Camp Physician

Dr. Burns explained that in a thunder storm previously there was damage to the x-ray machine for Happy Camp Health Services. He went ahead and had the machine repaired, but did not follow approved procedures in payment for the repairs.  He found how to prevent the damage again when there is power failure at the facility and instituted the process to keep the x-ray machine detached in the event of another lightening storm.

 

He has been using one maintenance company for years, and did attempt to find other sources for the repairs.

 

He shoots about one to two x-rays a week and with the machine fixed he is happier and sure the patients are better served.

 

He would like authorization to pay the invoice.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to pay the invoice in the amount of $2,274 to AXR x-ray repair, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

1. Martha Schrock, EDHHS:

Martha is not present. Her written report is provided, and Lessie Aubrey will report on her action items.

 

Lessie stated that Daniel Pratt is requesting a tribal credit card and has provided a written request for it.

 

Florrine motioned and Florence seconded to approve Daniel Pratt’s request to receive a tribal credit card with a limit of $3,000, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Babbie’s follow up report on her recent review was provided to the Council. She received three non-critical deficiencies and the action taken thus far was presented to the Council.

 

Lessie presented Dr. Solus’ contract to work for the Yreka clinic. The contract was reviewed by Martha, Erin and Laura. He will work on call for direct patient care at the rate of $100 per hour not to exceed $20,000 a year. The contract would be from November 1, 2006 – September 30, 2007.

 

Florrine would like to know when he would be covering on call. This would be clarified as on call, at the maximum of one day per week.

 

Laura stated that this contract would increase the possibility of having someone available if another provider was sick or needed to take leave. This isn’t full time, but is nice to have someone already credentialed and privileged to assume the duties.

 

The travel time needs further clarification, as to what he intends to bill for travel to the outside locations. This will be moved to the Wednesday planning meeting for clarification.

 

The patient satisfaction survey will be complete soon with some core questions to obtain a benchmark and other questions for more information.

 

Florrine motioned and Robert seconded to approve Martha’s written report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

2. David Eisenberg, PHN:

David is present to review his report with the Council. There was a lot of work on policies and procedures and those were already approved at the Wednesday planning meeting.

He completed an emergency drill with the dental staff, with the use of their newly purchased AED machine. Now the Tribe owns four AED machines and they are placed in each facility.

The State review went well, and he thanked Lessie as she did an excellent job preparing for the review.

 

The CHR position has closed and there are four applicants with interviews scheduled to be held Thursday at 1:30 PM in Yreka. All four applicants are Tribal Members.

 

Robert motioned and Florrine seconded to approve David’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

3. Patti White, Database Administrator:

Patti submitted her written report and has no action items. She reviewed her written report with the Council. She announced that Leslie Alford has been taking coding classes over the internet. Leslie is traveling in December to do one more week of training and then taking her final exam to become a coder. After passing her exam Leslie will be granted a provisional license, until she meets the requirement of certification which is two years experience coding. Patti noted that Leslie is a great asset to the position.

 

The workload report includes more of a breakdown by provider type. Patti also provided a comparison to previous months.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve Patti’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

4. Vickie Walden, Dental Office Manager:

Vickie is not present as she was on travel for the State IHP review. Her report is submitted for the Council to review.

 

Florence motioned and Leeon seconded to approve Vickie’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

5. Lessie Aubrey, DQMCH:

Lessie explained that she has no action items, but she has received information from a consulting company to assist in changing accreditation bodies from JCAHO to AAAHC.

Arch asked if she has further information on AAAHC along with her recommendation on both accreditation bodies. Lessie explained that she went to training, and at that time she received information but it mainly pertained to Surgical Centers. Dr. Burns asked if AAAHC would require less work than JCAHO.

Robert explained that he doesn’t want to lower the patient standards of care, and if it is less expensive but provides the same level of patient care standards then this is an option that the Tribe should take into consideration. Emphasis on not lowering the standards of care is very important to the Tribe and will be the main considering factor to determine if changing accreditation bodies is appropriate for the health facilities.

Lessie hasn’t had much time to review the AAAHC standards, but she believes that her program would have to be revised slightly, although she isn’t sure how much at this time.

Dr. Burns stated that he reviewed the checklist and standards and with everything that Lessie has completed, he believes that the Tribe would pass accreditation easily by AAAHC. He stated that this would be more similar to the IHS process and JCAHO is not. Dr. Burns stated that the PPR is a pain staking process that requires a lot of work and is required by JCAHO annually now.

Lessie stated that a lot of the reviewers that review the program are surprised that KTHP is accredited by JCAHO. It is a big process and the reviewers notice how hard it is to obtain the accreditation.

She explained that Martha explained to her that in Martha’s former position they were thankful that they moved from JCAHO to AAAHC.

Robert asked if Lessie feels she should receive further training and obtain more information to make a better decision. Now would be the time to make the transition as this is a big change, and they have just received a three year accreditation from JCAHO so switching now would make more sense.

HRSA has not had a contract with AAAHC previously, but have had one with JCAHO. Robert asked if this would have to be reported to HRSA. Lessie clarified that they don’t have to be notified but it is a requirement to be accredited and currently HRSA only pays for accreditation with companies in which they contract with.

 

Lessie will research options to find a more informational material to make an informed decision if the change is appropriate and recommended. If approved to change accreditation bodies she will hit the ground on meeting the new standards.

 

Leeon motioned and Florence seconded to approve Lessie’s report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

6. Joe Snapp, Substance & Alcohol Abuse:

Joe is present to review his written report, and had information distributed regarding a request for a support letter from Heal Therapy Inc.

Toby Ruez is present and has come to provide a report on her travel to Sacramento. She is Joe’s intern working toward certification on being a drug and alcohol abuse counselor. She attends quarterly training and it is reimbursed through AITI. Joe is her site supervisor, and she thanked the Council for allowing her to attend. There are only three more classes left to attend, but one class may be done online. After the two classes are completed she will be able to take the test to become certified.

 

Florrine motioned and Alvis seconded to approve Joe’s written report, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Closed Session:

Consensus: to table request from Heal Therapy. Clarification on grant numbers shall be provided to Erin Hillman, and also an explanation on the parameters that the Tribe would be entering into specifically what the in-kind is.

 

Florence motioned and Leeon seconded to approve resolution 06-R-120 with changes to the meeting date of the Enrollment Committee, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence motioned and Florrine seconded to approve a loan in the amount of $2,500 with payments of $300 every 1st of the month to Tribal Member, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: CHS Case #170 will be tabled employee instructed to call the hospital to negotiate a lower rate, and bring it back to the Council on Wednesday planning meeting.

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to approve the loan to Tribal Member #1066 in the amount of $600 with payments of $50 per pay period via a payroll deduction, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to instruct KCDC CFO to submit outstanding debt from individuals to Laura Olivas KTOC Bookkeeper.

 

Consensus: to allow Barbara Norman to review Tribal Member #998 request, #2217 request and assist communication efforts of property owners, KTHA employee and Tribal Member’s Also Barbara Norman is to clarify if Tribal Member #1925 is requesting the assistance herself and if so clarify a possible loan situation.

 

Consensus: for Arch Super and Leaf Hillman to review employee #2217 contract and meet with her prior to entering into a new contract.

 

Robert motioned and Florence seconded to approve the purchase of flowers and a gift from the Karuk People’s center not to exceed the amount of $200 for Tribal Member #55, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Robert motioned and Alvis seconded to approve gasoline assistance for the next six months for Tribal Member #2113, this is will be the last approval for this request, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Florence motioned and Florrine seconded to approve the use of the DNR emblem and statements with corrections to Living Gold Press, 5 haa, 1 puuhara (Bob Goodwin), 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to have courier vehicle damage reported and to the Council on Wednesday’s planning meeting.

 

Alvis motioned and Robert seconded to approve 06-R-121 authorizing intervention, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Robert motioned and Florence seconded to approve contract 07-C-010 not to exceed the amount of $750 for food and $250 for Tribal Member # 744, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

Consensus: to officially notify Tribal Member #2266 that there will be no scheduled Cage Fight events until a formal meeting is scheduled and held with the Council and Promotional Company. At this meeting the Council would like to have discussion on the business arrangements including financial agreements of all parties involved.

 

Consensus: for the Council to draft a policy for office closures in honor of former Chairpersons, Council Members and/or Elders.

 

 

Next Meeting date is November 9, 2006 in Happy Camp, CA.

 

 

Robert motioned and Leeon seconded to adjourn at 8:59 PM, 6 haa, 0 puuhara, 0 pupitihara.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Respectfully Submitted,

 

 

 

_______________________________

Arch Super, Chairman

 

Recording Secretary, Barbara Snider