Online Chat with Newman Regional Health CEO Bob Driewer
October 18, 2011
Online Chat with Newman Regional Health CEO Bob Driewer
moderator: Today our guest is Bob Driewer, CEO of Newman Regional Health. Bob is here to answer your questions about the hospital, its services and future plans. We only have 30 minutes to chat so get your questions in early so we can try to get to all of them. Let's get started with the first question.
moderator: Newman Regional Health is owned by the residents of Lyon County. Can you explain how that works?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: N e w m a n R e g i o n a l H e a l t h i s a 5 3 b e d g o v e r n m e n t a l e n t i t y o p e r a t i n g a s a n o t - f o r - p r o f i t . A l l o f N e w m a n R e g i o n a l H e a l t h s a s s e t s a r e o w n e d b y L y o n C o u n t y . T h e h o s p i t a l i s g o v e r n e d b y a B o a r d o f T r u s t e e s , a p p o i n t e d b y t h e C o u n t y C o m m i s s i o n . B o a r d m e m b e r s c a n s e r v e u p t o t w o , f o u r y e a r t e r m s .
moderator: What are some of the main services that NRH offers to our community?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: More than 500 employees, 300 volunteers, and 130 physicians, of which 28 are on our active medical staff, and many other professionals make up the patient care team at Newman Regional Health. The hospital provides a wide range of inpatient and outpatient medical and surgical services including: Air Ambulance (LifeTeam Helicopter) Cancer Treatment Cardiac Rehabilitation Cardiopulmonary Services Clinic Decision Unit Community CPR Classes Critical care Dialysis Emergency services (24 hours a day/ everyday) Express Care (Urgent Care) Hospice services Laboratory Level II nursery Obstetrics Pediatrics Physical/Speech/Occupational Therapy Radiology Rehabilitation Sleep center Women’s services Wound care
moderator: What are some of the future plans for additional services?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Newman Regional Health’s services are based on the healthcare needs of the region. For example, Newman used data to drive decisions and evaluate cardiology services. The death rates due to cardiovascular disease in Lyon County and the surrounding areas are higher than the state and national averages. The hospital’s mission is to provide services that address the needs of the people in our community. Providing diagnostic and interventional cardiology services in our community will attempt to lower the death rate for cardiovascular disease. Having identified this gap in services, the hospital recently worked with Corazon, an independent consulting firm, to perform a feasibility study for cardiac services. This study validates the need for expanded cardiology services in Emporia. Another new service for the hospital is the Breast Care Center, slated to open February, 2012. The Breast Care Center at Newman Regional Health will enable patients to have immediate access to stereotactic biopsy services, in addition to preventative screenings. “Powered by Pink Campaign” will be launched on November 1st with a goal to raise $600,000 for the Breast Care Center: $462,000 for digital mammography and stereotactic equipment and $137,000 for renovation of the existing space.
moderator: Is NRH part of any preferred insurance provider networks? What does it mean if a persons insurance is from a different provider?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Yes, Newman currently has contracts with various payers, and to name a few are: • Blue Cross • Coventry • Health Partners of KS • Cigna • Century To find out if your insurance is in-network with our facility, you can check your insurance company’s website, contact customer service listed on your insurance card, or you may contact the Patient Accounts Office at Newman at 620-343-6800, ext. 5100.
moderator: Why did NRH decide to open the Express Care Clinic?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: This is another example of Newman Regional Health’s actively addressing the healthcare needs of the community by providing for afterhours care with more convenience and at a lower cost to the patient than the emergency room.
moderator: What services are available at the Express Care Clinic?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: A division of Newman Medical Partners, the clinic provides non-emergency care to Emporia and the surrounding communities. Their hours are Monday - Friday 5:00pm - 10:00pm and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00am - 6:00pm. They are open all holidays except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Examples of care that is provided at the clinic include: Treatment of minor medical conditions Sore throats Earaches Lacerations Sprains/strains Minor on-the-job injuries Physicals Flu shots Newman Express Care is located in the southwest corner of Flinthills Mall at 15th & Industrial Road in Emporia. 620-343-STAT.
moderator: How should someone decide if they should go to the Express Care or the Emergency Room with an injury or illness.
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: The rule of thumb is if the illness or injury is something that is minor, you should use Newman Express Care versus going to the Emergency Room. If there is any uncertainty of the extent of the injury or illness, go to the Emergency Room. For instances, if you think a bone may be broken, or are having chest pain, go to the Emergency Room. Some advantages are: Shorter Wait Times: When you go to the emergency department with a minor illness or injury, you may be seen after all of the patients with more severe conditions. Urgent care clinics only see minor illnesses and injuries ensuring a more even flow of patient care and reducing your time in the waiting room. Convenience: When you seek treatment during the evening or weekend, urgent care clinics are open when your primary care physician office is not.
moderator: NRH requested an allocation of 4 Mills from the County for funding new programs. With only about half of that approved how will you fund these programs?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: The goal for the 2012 budget is to replace the MRI and to re-establish the vascular cardiology service. It has been the intent of the hospital to use both debt and cash to fund these projects. The County decision to fund only half of the hospital’s request means that more cash reserves will have to be used to achieve the implementation goals. It is expected at this time, that the mill levy allocated from the county will be used to help service the debt for both services.
moderator: How long will the Mill Levy last, and how long will the equipment last?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: The mill levy is approved by the Commission for one year. Additional years would require annual budget approval by the Commission. The useful life for the equipment is 5 years. As a rule of thumb, the hospital does not secure debt for more than the estimated useful life. The debt service would be set up to pay the interest and principle within 5 years.
moderator: What type of services or programs does NRH have in place to promote the overall wellness of our community?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Newman has a number of programs designed to help prevent and treat ongoing health issues in the community. Some of our outpatient programs are designed with the patient’s convenience in mind. A partial list would include: Cardiac Rehabilitation, Diabetes Education, Nutrition Counseling, Health Fairs, and Prenatal Classes. Newman has also encouraged citizens to get flu vaccinations every year by holding a drive through flu shot clinic.
burtferguson: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 stipulated terms of "meaningful use". From a technical standpoint, how has Newman Regional Health taken steps to become current on these expectations and who is heading up these changes?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Newman Regional Health developed its “meaningful use” compliance plan in 2009 and the Board of Trustees approved it in 2010. The plan outlines in detail the computer systems that the hospital must acquire and implement in order to meet “meaningful use.” The plan identifies over $1,000,000 in computer system improvements that will be made over the next several years.
jamesbordonaro: Given the cost of education, would you encourage a young person to become a doctor, physician's assistant, ARNP, RN , LPN or some other medical specialty?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Don Cope is the hospital’s Information Systems Director. Supporting Don and the IS staff is Info Partners, a hospital software company that specializes in advising and assisting hospitals to successfully implement IT solutions.
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Yes, for those individuals that finds personal satisfaction in providing care that will enhance the healing of the mind, body and spirit of their friends and neighbors. Today, there is significant demand for healthcare professionals in many fields. There is also financial aid available for students following graduation. Newman Regional Health is actively recruiting for physicians and other healthcare providers to come to Newman Regional Health and Emporia.
moderator: Any final thoughts you would like to share?
Bob Driewer, CEO Newman Regional Health: Newman Regional Health has a large economic impact on this community. While providing high quality services to our friends and neighbors, we also employ over 500 people, making Newman one of the leading employers in Emporia. Physician offices, pharmacies, medical supply stores, and many other businesses benefit from having a local hospital. We know that you have choices when it comes to healthcare. Thank you for supporting your community hospital and in understanding the importance of helping us remain a state of the art facility.
moderator: It looks like that is all the time that we have today. On behalf of The Emporia Gazette and its readers I would like to thank Bob for taking time out of his schedule to come in and chat with us. Be sure to check back on Thursday when our guest chatter will be Jessica Hopkins, Executive Director of Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Flint Hillls.