Hospital's tobacco free policy to take effect in September

Nevada Daily Mail

Nevada Regional Medical Center is preparing for the implementation of the Tobacco Free Campus program Sept. 1. Reminder cards will be given to all patients on admission reminding them of the deadline. Training also is scheduled for employees and volunteers concerning how to let visitors, vendors and patients know about the change to a tobacco free campus, inside and out.

In other news, the hospital is preparing for the delivery of the new 16-slice CT scanner. During the installation, which will require the removal of the old unit, it will be necessary to use a portable unit. The new unit will be equipped with a $15,800 power surge protector and is to be installed by July 31.

Hospital CEO Judith Feuquay told the board that a new physician, Dr. Dan Barnes, will begin his full-time practice at Nevada Internal Medicine Clinic on July 1. Barnes has completed the last year of a dual residency program in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics and will provide family medical services. Barnes is also working part-time in the hospital's emergency room and is assisting Dr. John Torontow in providing physician services to the hospital's two rural clinics.

A second training session for the Chaplains' program is scheduled for Wednesday. When all have completed the training, 13 clergy will be involved in the program.

The Volunteer Auxiliary held a training session on June 22, with 36 members attending. The focus was on "Growing in Customer Service." The Junior Volunteers program has two participants this summer.

The board approved a budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1. The budget projects net patient operating revenue of $32.1 million with the majority of revenue coming from outpatient services and an additional $1.2 million in other operating revenue. Expenses are budgeted at $32.4 million leaving an expected $1.3 million in net income.

The Moore-Few and Barone care centers are expected to have a combined patient revenue of $6.9 million with expenses of $6.2 million, leaving an expected $220,500 net income.

Feuquay reported that interviews are in the works to fill several vacancies. Among the positions the hospital is seeking to fill are: director in rehabilitation therapy; pharmacist, medication technician and pharmacy director through comprehensive pharmacy services; and administrative secretary and nurse practitioner for the behavioral health unit.