HCHC board discuss healthcare trends, possible improvements

By BRYCE KELLY

Mt. Pleasant News

Critical access hospitals like Henry County Health Center (HCHC) are starting to see more complex medical cases come through the doors, according to recent studies presented by CEO, Robb Gardner, during a monthly HCHC Board of Trustees meeting. And it?s these trends that may be cause for changes in the way physicians are treating patients.

Overall, statistics show that because physicians are seeing more advanced medical needs coming from a variety of patients, engagement between physicians and their patients can easily become strained, which can lead to additional issues down the road for both parties.

?Studies are showing us that patients who are a more active participant in developing and sticking to their healthcare plan, tend to live longer,? reported Gardner.

Along with that, the New England Journal of Medicine recently released a study that showed across the U.S., critical access hospitals report that only about 50 percent of people living with a chronic disease take their prescribed medications in the correct dosage, and about 70 percent of patients do not adhere to follow-up appointments that their physician recommends.

?This kind of data directly points to what we, as a critical access hospital, need to be providing,? said Gardner. ?I believe if we can constantly improve how well we connect with patients and how well we provide our patients with affordable resources they need to stay healthy, we will be on the right track.?

With strict regard to physicians, burn out rates among physicians has grown slightly over the past few years. According to Gardner, burn out rates are as high as 50 percent among physicians in certain specialties.

?Providers are fatigued and they?re tired, whether that is due to longer work hours or the push for general physicians to work with patients with a more complex set of issues. In reality, this is not just being seen in physicians who are close to retirement age,? said Gardner. ?Ultimately, if we don?t address these issues as an entire healthcare industry, we won?t have enough physicians to work down the road.?

Gardner says he plans to begin collaborating with other healthcare professionals that are experts in helping critical access hospitals overcome some of these trends, and told the trustees board to expect some improvement plans in the future.

?We have a great team of providers here and so many wonderful patients that choose to bring their healthcare needs to us, and so it?s important, I think, to constantly be looking at ways we can improve,? he said. ?And I feel it?s important to take care of our staff.?

The board also approved a resolution to enter into an agreement with Union Bank and Trust, based out of Lincoln, Neb. The agreement will allow HCHC to set up a banking system that will give patients the ability to make interest-free payments on a bill over a set number of months, depending on the bill amount.

?This just gives our patients a little more flexibility with how they pay,? said HCHC CFO, Dave Muhs.

In other news, the board was formerly introduced to a new HCHC employee. Matt Miller, a certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA), from Ohio, was welcomed aboard the HCHC medical team this week, and says he is excited to serve the Henry County community.

?It?s great to have the opportunity to get plugged into a community like this. Everyone has been very welcoming and I look forward to contributing to patient care in the area,? said Miller.

Miller and his family currently reside in Mt. Pleasant.

The next HCHC Board of Trustees meeting will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at noon, in the HCHC Board Room.