By Rich Wicks | Times Vedette
During the monthly meeting of the Guthrie County Hospital’s Board of Trustees, an item was added onto the agenda for emergency consideration. CEO Chris Stipe informed the trustees that the hospital’s chemistry analyzer machine is not working properly, and a new machine needs to be purchased to replace it. He explained that the machine is used anytime lab work is being done.
“Even if we ordered this machine today, it’s going to take a month for it to get here, so we’ve got to get this machine fixed,” Stipe said. “We need a part, and we’re trying to get it fixed.”
Stipe added that the machine is essentially at the end of its expected lifespan and has been breaking down more frequently over the past year, which then requires hospital staff to bring specimens elsewhere for analysis.
“The lab has really been run ragged, taking specimens to Audubon or Jefferson,” Stipe said. “It’s going to keep breaking down, and it is the backbone of what we do.”
Because of the age of the machine, Stipe said it is no longer realistic to consider fixing it and using it long-term. The price of the new machine is $187,600. The trustees voted to approve purchasing the new machine.
Danielle Lauzon provided a quarterly report on the various quality measures the hospital tracks.
“We have really good scores in our emergency department. We have been above our goal the majority of the year, and then we had a dip in December,” Lauzon said. “We had a few surveys come back that took that score down.”
Lauzon also told of February fundraising events for the hospital.
“The hospital auxiliary will be hosting bingo again in February on Thursday nights. The meal is from 4:45-6 p.m., and bingo is from 6-8 p.m. at the Activity Center here in town,” she said.
Stipe reported strong revenue numbers for the hospital.
“Year to date, we’re about $1 million ahead compared to budget,” Stipe said. “We’re tracking pretty good with regard to revenue.”
Foundation Director Dennis Flanery told of upcoming events in the spring and summer, including the Handbags and Bingo event on April 4 and the golf tournament on July 8.
The trustees’ next regular meeting will be Feb. 27 at 4 p.m. The public is welcome. Instructions for attending remotely are shown on the hospital’s website.