The Wrangell Medical Center Board of Directors met July 18, at city hall for their regularly scheduled meeting. While not initially on the agenda, the board appointed a new president and vice president during this meeting. The issue was raised by board member Don McConachie, who pointed out that having a president was a part of the board's charter. He also said that since the board was trying to find a new member to fill a vacant seat, appointing a new president could help encourage people who wanted to apply but did not want the responsibilities of president. After a brief discussion, OlindaWhite was appointed board president, and Jennifer Bates was voted vice president.
The board also heard a report from quality director Cathy Gross on Wrangell's Long Term Care (LTC) quality.
The WMC LTC, according to information provided by Gross, ranks seventh out of 18 long term care providers in Alaska.
This ranking is determined by looking at information from March 2017 to May 2018, as to the number of in-care conditions patients
develop. Urinary tract infections were an example of an in-care condition that Gross gave. The national target average is six percent, Gross said. Wrangell, she said, has been below the state average for eight of the 12 months that were reviewed, currently at 7.55 percent as compared to the state average of 8.67 percent.
In December 2017 they were below the national target at 4.03 percent. She said that it is hard for smaller long term care facilities to keep their
percentages low, because each patient can cause a larger jump in numbers with any conditions they develop.
CEO Robert Rang also gave a report to the board on various items. Jessica Rooney, who works at the front desk of the medical center, was named the June STAR employee of the month. Architects from World Architects also came by the medical center on July 17 to meet with
employees, share updates on the ongoing new hospital design project and to receive input back from the employees. Members of
the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC) also came by Wrangell earlier this month for a meet-and-greet with medical center members. As SEARHC is purchasing the Wrangell Medical Center, these meetings are meant to help smooth the eventual transition in ownership.Rang also said that the hospital auxiliary will be hosting a 50th anniversary celebration at the Wrangell Medical Center
building. There will be a BBQ lunch this Friday, July 27 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Rang also reminded board members that the annual employee
appreciation picnic will take place at the Muskeg Meadows golf course on August 3. The next meeting will be August 7.
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