Lots of vaccines, not a lot on waiting list

At the April board meeting of the East Phillips County Hospital District, Melissa Memorial Hospital staff members expressed frustration regarding COVID-19 vaccine orders being rejected for five straight weeks when people needed them and wanted them most.

Now it’s the opposite.

At the May 25 meeting, Jennifer Cano, RN, BSN, reported to the board that MMH has plenty of vaccines but is struggling to find people to give them to.

Cano said she has set aside 70 doses for those still needing their second dose of the Moderna two-shot vaccine, but there’s still more available.

As of last Tuesday’s meeting, there were about eight people on the vaccine waiting list at MMH. Cano said she needs to have 10 people committed to attending a vaccine clinic before she can even open the vile in order to not waste any.

If MMH doesn’t get more people signed up soon, it might have to send back some of the vaccines so they don’t get too old, said Cano.

Meanwhile, Family Practice of Holyoke was recently approved to administer the COVID-19 vaccine, but Cano said it makes little sense for the clinic to offer it while numbers on MMH’s waiting list are so low.

All adults over the age of 18 are now eligible for the Moderna vaccine.

To be put on the list, fill out the online form at http://melissamemorial.org/5567-2.html or call MMH at 970-854-2241 or Family Practice of Holyoke at 970-854-2500. Those on the list will receive a call to set up an appointment to get the vaccine.

Administrator reports on programs, purchases, masks

MMH CEO Cathy Harshbarger updated the board on the Public Option legislation in Colorado as well as the Hospital Transformation Program.

She applauded local efforts to increase annual wellness visits and chronic care management program enrollment as well as a new program

that will be used to work with the local Hispanic population.

The CEO said MMH staff celebrated during Hospital/Nursing Week, and team members are currently working on a new vision statement for the organization.

Staff members now have opportunities for education through Huron/Studer in the areas of leadership, bedside nurse and revenue cycle collection.

Harshbarger gave updates on several recent purchases. A microbiology system has been installed, and a UV light sanitizer, bone density scanner and chillers are all installed and in use. A scope processor, hospital beds and bladder scanner have all been ordered. She also noted that they may be able to use a grant for a wheelchair-accessible van.

COVID-19 regulations are ever-changing, and Harshbarger said that, in general, health care workers in Colorado won’t have to wear masks on the job any more as long as they are fully vaccinated. Other people who walk through the doors will still be screened and will still have to wear masks regardless of vaccination status. Patients may be able to take off their masks once they are in their rooms.

“It makes sense, but it makes a messy soup,” she said.

Board member Gary Rahe encouraged MMH employees to consider continuing to wear masks for the sake of consistency and public confidence in the organization.

Other business

In other business at the May 25 meeting, the board:

— Elected board officers, including Steve Young, president; Gary Rahe, vice president; and Angela Powell, secretary/treasurer.

— Reviewed Policy 1.4 regarding people experiencing minimal impacts.

— Reviewed Governance Policy 4.5 regarding board members’ code of conduct and approved the addition of signing the board trustee pledge for code of conduct upon appointment.

— Heard a financial report from Chief Financial Officer David Applewood. Total revenue for April was $1.8 million, and total expenses were also about $1.8 million resulting in a loss in net income of $33,900.

— Heard a Quality Committee report from Cano.

— Extended a declaration of local disaster emergency for another 30 days.

— Approved credentialing for three reappointments.

— Held a 30-minute executive session regarding personnel.