November 28, 2007 Edition

Also in this issue...

Osbahr, Sullins resign
from Lawrence Health

Gretchen Hunt
Editor

The Lawrence Health Services Board of Directors accepted resignations from President Leah Osbahr and Chief Financial Officer Sandy Sullins at its meeting Monday night.

According to an LHS representative, Osbahr and Sullins resigned to pursue other job opportunities. Their resignations were effective Tuesday.

Osbahr joined Lawrence Health as president in 2004. During her time at the helm of LHS, she and the health system received several honors. In 2006, Osbahr was named the C.E. Melville Young Administrator of the Year by the Arkansas Hospital Association.

Sullins, who has been with LHS for 10 and a half years, has served as CFO during her entire tenure.

The interim management team consists of George Fray, administrator, and Harry Hutchins, C.P.A., chief financial officer. They are both employees of St. Bernards Healthcare, with whom LHS has a management contract.

Also on Monday, Osbahr reminded the board that Dr. Bob Warner of Jonesboro Surgical Associates began seeing patients in the Family Medical Clinic on Nov. 7. He will see patients locally the first and third Wednesday of each month. Warner provides general surgery, vascular surgery, thoracic surgery and endoscopic surgery.

Tonya Hankins, director of nursing, made a presentation to the board on a new documentation system for the emergency room. The T-System provides templates based on symptoms patients display at the ER. The system reduces the need for immediate physician documentation, allowing more bedside patient care. It also ensures greater accuracy in coding and billing. The board approved funding implementation of the system for 90 days, when its impact will be reviewed.

Sarah Wright, nursing home administrator, informed the board that state licensure officials of the Office of Long Term Care are recommending that all facilities conduct FBI fingerprint checks on all employees. Federal regulators have notified states to expect increased fraud and abuse audits.

In other business:

Dr. Ted Lancaster, medical director of LHNC, gave the nursing home report on quality and administrative areas.
Wright reported that standards being measured for clinical and business processes, learning and growth were on or above targeted goals.
Osbahr presented benchmark data for the health system.
Wright provided the board with the quality assurance report and review of findings of the Arkansas Healthcare Association.
Wright provided an occupancy report on nursing home beds.
Gary Little, board member and chair of the finance committee, reported on budget performance for the month, stating that it was a "good month."
Dr. Shawn Peyton, LMH medical director, gave the medical staff committee reports.
The newly acquired 16-slice CT scan is in place with 10-15 patients benefiting daily.
An October book sale hosted by the Auxiliary raised $560.40.
Approximately 35 LHS employees participated in the Lawrence County Walk of Hope.
The annual safety fair was held on Oct. 31 with 145 employees participating. Facility goals were reviewed as well as the quarterly environmental safety report.
The board approved continued funding of officers and director's insurance.
Contracts for service were approved for GE Medical Systems and Carestream Health Kodak.
Medical staff credentials were approved.

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November 28, 2007 Edition

Osbahr, Sullins resign from Lawrence Health

Osbahr, Sullins resign
from Lawrence Health