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The last 12 months were full of activity, growth, sharing and recognition for Ely-Bloomenson Community Hospital.
Chief executive officer Patti Banks used her “state of the hospital” address on Monday to “share and brag and look back at the last year.”
Banks’ remarks came during the annual meeting of members of the Ely Health and Hospital Foundation, the umbrella organization of EBCH.
In addition to an array of statistics (see related story), Banks also reported on a series of accomplishments - particularly the hospital’s recognition as a five-star hospital from the National Rural Care Health System.
“That was a huge accomplishment that we were not expecting,” said Banks. “Hospitals our size are usually considered low volume providers and within Medicare they look at your volume statistics. Based on volume we were already down to being a four-star facility at max, but we got that five-star award.”
Banks also noted the various awards won by EBCH last month at the National Healthcare Service Excellence in Florida.
There, EBCH Service Excellence Ambassador Jenny Dodge was recognized, as was the hospital for its cafeteria renovation collaborative with the Boundary Waters Care Center.
EBCH was also saluted at a state level by the Minnesota Hospital Association, with Sandy Nickolson of the hospital’s community liaison committee recognized with a volunteer of the year award for creating a Blessings Backpack Program to help patients in need.
Inside the hospital, it was a busy year particularly in the emergency room, as ER visits totaled 3,776.
Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, Banks said the emergency room was averaging about 3,000 visits a year.
“Not that I want people to be sick, but this shows the resource and what our role here is in our community, to get people the help they need when they need it and where they need it,” said Banks.
The hospital continues to see increases in surgeries and visits to the radiology department, while EBCH also engaged a firm this year to look for improvements to maintain ambulance service viability.
“We are working and I would argue we have made a lot of innovative change at the state and national level when we have been looking for a new approach to rural EMS,” said Banks. “Each community has a little different struggle and we’re working through those and I think we will be able to be successful in a different approach.”
Banks said EBCH made significant strides in information technology and this month the organization is launching its own child care operation to provide care for children of hospital employees.
“As you know a lot of people struggle with child care just in general nationwide,” said Banks.
The initiative is expected to help EBCH attract and retain employees.
“We have been able to recruit because we have this benefit,” said Banks.
EBCH and Banks have also stepped up their presence politically, taking a larger role in lobbying legislators about issues facing rural hospitals.
“I think it will continue to be an ongoing conversation that all of us will leg our legislators and people in government know about,” Banks said of the reimbursement issues facing hospitals.
Banks told the audience, which was almost entirely made up of hospital board members and staff, that she was happy to see EBCH score well - in the 90th percentile and above - on employee engagement rankings.
“We’ve seen a steady rise in employee engagement and satisfaction where other hospitals have shown a decline,” said Banks.
Banks also highlighted the organization’s commitment and contributions to community events and causes.
“We’re really good at taking care of people and also really good at taking care of the community,” said Banks.
That ranges from contributions to numerous groups, highway clean-up, participation in events such as Trunk or Treat, volunteering and regionally supporting the United Way.
The economic impact of the hospital was also touted, with EBCH growing its ranks back to 122 employees including 109 fulltime equivalents, and payroll and benefits “of up to $14 million that wepumpbackintothecommunity.”
• Also Monday, Rob Wilmunen (122 votes), Mary Ann Smith (101) and Crystal Chopp (100) won seats on the board of directors. They were the only candidates put forward by a nominating committee.
