No critical staff shortages expected
Melissa Memorial Hospital does not expect any critical staff shortages that would impact the health, safety and welfare of patients amidst a new statewide COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers.
CEO Cathy Harshbarger gave an update to the East Phillips County Hospital District Board of Directors at its regular monthly meeting Tuesday, Sept. 28.
Of the active employees at MMH, 82 people have been vaccinated, 17 have religious exemptions, four have medical exemptions, three could be terminated (if they did not meet the COVID-19 vaccination requirements by the Sept. 30 deadline), and the status of two people was unknown at the time of the meeting.
“We’ve got enough people to take care of people,” said Harshbarger, adding that they are also “unhappy about any losses.”
On Aug. 30, the Colorado State Board of Health approved a COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers in licensed and certified facilities regulated by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
Employees at about 3,800 facilities across the state needed to have their first vaccine dose by Sept. 30 and have their second dose (if applicable) by Oct. 31.
On Thursday, Sept. 9, President Joe Biden also issued two executive orders which, among other things, require all workers in most health care settings that receive Medicaid or Medicare to be fully vaccinated.
In the weeks surrounding those announcements, some MMH employees spoke publicly about their concerns for the COVID-19 vaccine.
MMH has filed a waiver application with CDPHE. The waiver is for employees who have requested religious accommodations. Employees with medical accommodations signed by their primary care provider and reviewed by the chief of staff have also been received; however, they do not fall under the requirement for a waiver request.
The religious exemptions were sent to the state, and the state has 90 days to review them.
Unvaccinated employees with exemptions must submit to MMH policy measures to address infection control and patient safety, such as wearing masks and eye protection and taking viral COVID-19 tests up to twice a week, depending on the level of community transmission.
Testing options offered
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Sandy Ferguson and Julie Kinner told the board that they had done research on COVID-19 testing options, noting that some research points to dangerous nanoparticles on the testing swabs.
They said that a saliva test could be just as effective and not as uncomfortable as the swab test, especially for the unvaccinated MMH employees who will be tested regularly.
Harshbarger told the board that it is an operational decision.
Other business
In other business at the Sept. 28 meeting, the board:
— Heard about new employees Valerie McCulley, occupational therapist; Troy McCulley, speech therapist; and Troy Kinoshita, EMS director.
— Approved the purchase of two Cisco network switches for $52,513, which is an increase from the original capital budget listing of $36,500; and a Stryker laparoscopic camera system for $163,000, which was not included in the capital budget but was essential due to the previous outdated system having major issues during surgery.
— Heard an August financial report from Chief Financial Officer David Applewood, which included $1.9 million in total revenue, $1.8 million in total expenses and $17,200 in net income for the month, bringing the year-to-date net income to $2,300 without taking into account the funds from Paycheck Protection Program forgiveness.
— Heard a Quality Committee report from Director of Quality Karen Hooker.
— Reviewed Policy 1.2 regarding achievements within resources, Policy 2.9 regarding emergency administrator succession, Governance Policy 4.8 regarding governance investment and Governance Policy 3.4 regarding monitoring administrator performance.
— Reviewed committee appointments.