Branstetter ready to move NRMC forward
Since Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved a half-cent sales tax with monies to be applied to Nevada Regional Medical Center’s (NRMC) 1.5-million-dollar annual bond payment, CEO Steve Branstetter says hospital staff is working hard to regain the trust of citizens and to continue providing quality care to those who seek it. He believes they are already well on the way to doing that.
The hospital is set to begin receiving funds from the sales tax beginning in January 2020, and that, along with the recently obtained Sole Community Hospital designation, will allow for investment in technology, physicians and staff, and building maintenance and infrastructure. While all dollars generated from the sales tax will be applied directly to the bond payment, Branstetter says that in turn, this will allow for the growth of cash on hand as required by the bondholders.
Branstetter is optimistic for the future of NRMC. “These were two of our goals for the year and having them both met – it's really a positive direction. Nevada should be commended for what they did at the ballot box. You don’t see many communities stepping up like that.”
A local guy who has a commitment to focusing on the patients, their families and staff, Branstetter is fairly well known in the area. "They know what I am trying to do and the operation I try to run. I’m an open door. People call me or come in and see me if they have an issue — there is no closed door and we are going to deal with it.”
“I think we are at a good place right now. We have a lot of staff who have been here for years and we have some new staff coming in. We have a good mix with some leaders who have stepped up. With the new people we get new ideas. With the old staff we get experience and leadership.”
Eliminating the need for agency staffing, controlling overtime and focusing on the revenue cycle are three key areas on which Branstetter is focusing for FY 2020. Focus on quality, physician recruitment and customer service remain key. "Since the sales tax and the sole provider status came through, we are getting more interest from doctors.”
The Emergency Department and Behavioral Health Unit growth also remain a focus, as do the pain clinic, OB and the rural clinics. “Another big thing for us is going to be getting agency nursing staff out as it is a big expense. We are making good progress toward that. Part of that is going to be building up our current staff and encouraging further education to fill those roles - ‘Grow your own,’ like we have been known for.”
“It looks like we are going to be here awhile, and we are going to continue to improve and gain trust,” Branstetter continued. “It's going to be hard work, but it says a lot when you have 88 percent voter approval for an added tax in support of the hospital. We are going to continue to improve and gain the local trust. We are at point right now where we can blast off and be awesome. We are going to see much better days at the hospital.”