The Greene County Medical Center Board of Trustees met yesterday.

Chief Financial Officer Mark VanderLinden reported that in the month of May physical therapy was at its highest point for the fiscal year and minor surgery and medical in-patient care were at their lowest.

There were 2,471 outpatient visits reported for May and 25,331 for the year.  VanderLinden commented that employee overtime was reduced by 45% at this point one year ago.  He notes that if the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program is approved through the federal government, then most of the money would be sent on purchasing a central fetal monitor for $175,000.

Another item that was discussed was a home health services agreement.  The Board agreed to evaluate how well the services are being conducted at the medical center before they enter a contract for six months with UnityPoint to fully operate those services with a one month renewal contract after that.

The Board then approved switching its patient record system McKesson to EPIC.  Raccoon Valley Radio previously reported on the purpose and operation EPIC to ease certain areas of patient record keeping and sharing between health care facilities.  Chief Executive Officer Carl Behne explained the patient benefits of the new electronic record system.

“The ability for the providers (physicians) at the bedside be able to pull and reach that data at a moments notice and really ultimately provide the best outcomes for our patients every time that they’re sitting there with them.  So a huge benefit for patients in the way of care coordination.”

VanderLinden added the total cost for the switch is $1.5 million to the medical center with the first payment of $300,000 by September 1, 2013.

The next meeting will be July 18th at 7am at the boardroom of the medical center.