November 14, 2024

Cost saving purchases approved for Skiff

Skiff receives 4 stars in first CMS rating

By Jamee A

More than $38,330 will be used to purchase lawn care and snow removal equipment to help Skiff Medical Center save costs and become more independently efficient. The purchases are a part of a staffing model change to bring additional efficiencies to plant operations workers. (Jamee A)

In an effort to save costs and become more independently efficient, the Skiff Board of Trustees approved the purchase of $38,335 in plant operations equipment to bring lawn care and snow removal back in house at its Thursday meeting. The largest expense is a new John Deere lawn mower costing $20,704.

“I think the guys are really excited that they can do some of these things and they are very excited to have projects to work on together,” Interim CAO Laurie Conner said. “Especially with the snow removal, every year we tend to have to find a different vendor because somebody is getting out of the business.”

Also being purchased are mower attachments including a mower deck, rotary broom and snow blade for $9,989, Western V-Blade snow plow for the Skiff pickup truck at $5,343 and a 10 foot snow push box for the Bobcat at $2,299. Each items was sent out for price quotes to several equipment suppliers. The lawn mower and attachments will be purchased from Van-Wall Equipment and the plow blade will come from Central Iowa Machine.

The purchases go along with a change in the staffing model currently utilized by plant operations. The current staffing consists of on maintenance technician per shift on Sunday, Monday, Friday and Saturday and two per shift on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

Exceptions that plant ops staff complete work orders, repairs, valet parking, patient sitting, Life Flight assistance, patient lift assist, freight movement, security and other duties has let to non-productivity of staff. The proposed changes would have five and a half maintenance techs daily and one tech for a reduced shift on weekends.

“The new model will allow for work to be started and completed in a timely manner, reduce reliance on contracted supplies for routine maintenance and provide a $22,464 annual wage savings in addition to the $40,633 annual savings on contracted services,” Conner said.

Centers of Medicare Services recently began awarding the nation’s hospitals on a five star system and Skiff received a four star rating in the first evaluation given. The rating was given on feedback of patient satisfaction. Only 7 percent of hospitals nationwide received five stars.

“We were really pleased with that, being in the upper part of the ratings,” SKiff CEO Brett Altman said.

In other business:

• Shelly Lolwing was the Daisy Award winner.

• For the month of March, the hospital turned a profit of almost $129,000 putting the year to date earning at the same amount. Cash on hand has also continued trending up.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com