MCCH trustees hear guest satisfaction high
By GREG TRAVIS
Staff Writer
The Murray-Calloway County Hospital Board of Trustees was presented information Wednesday showing MCCH guest satisfaction data at a new high. With scores at an impressive 88.7 percent, Keith Bailey, CEO, said these numbers were the highest since the hospital has been measuring with Press Ganey, its data collection agency.
Four of the six surveys conducted were reported in the top 25 percent, with the overall average score of the six surveys in the top one-third. It was noted that the emergency department was the top performer by placing in the 85th percentile and Spring Creek Health Care recorded the biggest improvement in patient satisfaction scores over the past year.
MCCH Board Chair Sharon Furches added, “This is a high accomplishment, and it shows we are succeeding at providing the highest quality facility for our region.” She said the high scores are a result of the hospital's employees.
On a related subject, the trustees were presented information showing overall market share locally, and in the region, has also risen to new heights. Bailey said the figures confirm that “Calloway County residents are very loyal to MCCH as a primary health care provider,” adding that the hospital's specialty numbers are also on the rise.
According to information provided, the overall market share for 2006 was 32.7 percent, while 2007 figures were at 35.8 percent. The Calloway County market share for 2006 was 77.8 percent and 2007 figures were at 78.8 percent. Bailey said the increases are clear indications of all departments and employees “coming together to build MCCH as a regional facility.”
The data is collected by the state of Kentucky, and the 2007 numbers are the most current statistics available.
A Rural Medical Education and Physicians Recruitment Program was discussed and it was pointed out that students could soon be participating in the project. Working with both Murray State University and the University of Kentucky, the project would allow 10 medical students to start the program in 2010 at the sponsoring University of Kentucky, be at MSU in 2012 to continue their third and fourth years and then receive their degrees in 2014, at which time they would establish their residency work here and finish as physicians in 2017, prior to going into practice.
It was noted that the program, which would be a benefit to the entire region, would be a “great way” to encourage students interested in entering the field of rural medicine. Bailey said officials have been in contact with CEOs at Lourdes Hospital, Western Baptist Hospital and other hospitals to discuss their support of the program.
Steve Gamblin, construction manager, provided the board with updates on the hospital's main expansion project and the new central energy plant project. He told the group “everything looks great and is on schedule.”
The central plant project is tentatively set for a March 2009 completion, and the hospital's main expansion project is looking at an October 2009 completion date.
Information provided to the board shows structure steel and underground rough-in work on the expansion project as completed. Work is continuing in such areas as mechanical rough-in, electrical rough-in, metal stud exterior framing, exterior sheathing and weather barriers, roof, masonry and parking.
John Wilson, director of human resources, presented the board with a report on 2009 Gainsharing, a bonus-sharing program for hospital employees. It was noted that the maximum 2 percent that had previously been allowed can now increase to 4 percent under certain conditions.
According to information provided, the following criteria will be considered when evaluating the eligibility of the 4 percent grand total from the two divisions: A - one-half percent based on patient satisfaction score of 88.6 or above; B - one-half percent based on department-specific patient satisfaction score; C - one-half percent based on non-salary cost per unit of service target by department; D - one-half percent based on achievement of target score on “teamwork” question; A - one-half percent based on hospital-wide patient satisfaction score of 88.6 or above; B - one-half percent based on department-specific patient satisfaction score on the identified questions at 105 percent goal of department goal at 105 percent; C - one-half percent based on non-salary cost per unit of service at 105 percent; D - one-half percent based on achievement of target score on “teamwork” question.
The board also agreed to authorize MCCH representatives to begin the process of developing the documents necessary for obtaining a 501 (c)(3) status that will be reviewed by the MCCH board and then be presented to city and county governments for their review. The status deals with some types of non-profit organizations that are exempt from some federal taxes.
The 501 status would be used as a vehicle by which the hospital could receive additional contributions and bequests. Keith Travis, vice president of physicians development, explained, “There are many more grants out there to be eligible for, if you have this status. We have had repeated grants written that haven't been awarded because they went to institutions set up under these guidelines.”
In other business the board:
- welcomed Murray businessman Hal Kemp as a new board member, as well as Dr. Bradley Albertson, internal medicine and pediatrics, and Dr. Derek Morgan, orthopaedic surgeon;
- was informed of a Women's Health Care event planned for Oct. 28, the Annual City/County Meeting set for Nov. 10 and the medical staff Christmas Party on Dec. 4;
- was advised that a heli-pad will not be located on top of the new building, and other locations on the MCCH campus are under consideration for the landing site;
- adjourned into executive session for the discussion of real estate litigation.
Story created Oct 02, 2008 - 11:48:29 EDT.
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