December 18, 2007

• The Board reviewed projected budget planning for 2008.  Ron Bender, CEO, presented the collections committee reports.  After review and discussion the report was approved with amendments. 
• Francine Bechard, Activity Director and Patient Advocate,  presented a request for the purchase of 38 new guest chairs and 8 recliners for patient rooms.  The chairs will cost $152.64 each and the recliners will cost $1,597.52 each.  The chairs are needed now that Clay County Medical Center has upgraded its patient rooms to private from semi-private.  Some chairs will also replace existing chairs that have completed their  useful life.  After review and discussion the Board approved the purchase of the chairs.
• The Board reviewed the financial report from Clay County Assisted Living LLC.
• Lori Penner, Board Chairman, lead a discussion of planning issues and Board leadership.
• Mr. Bender reported that the hospital faired well in the recent ice storm thanks to the dedication of our staff and also thanks to Clay Center Public Utilities Commission power being off to the hospital for only a very short time.  Some other hospitals in the region were without power for extended periods of time but with Clay Center having its own generators and a good distribution system CCMC had no such problems.  Appreciation for the Clay Center PUC was expressed. 
• Prior to this power outage the hospital had planned to install a new back-up generator for the clinic.  That project is still in the works and will be installed soon by Griggs Electric at a cost of $6,874.
• The next Board meeting will be January 8, 2008 at 7:30 p.m. in the CCMC Education Center.