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March 28, 2006 The Board of Directors of Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation held its regular monthly meeting March 28 at Ridgewood Addictions Services in South Bay. The following are highlights of that meeting: Ridgewood Addictions Services Nancy Hicks, counselor, Ridgewood Addictions Services gave a very informative presentation on the trends in addictions in our communities. “Twenty-five years ago alcohol was the drug of choice – now it is ecstasy,” she said. Sandra Irving, vice-president, Board of Directors, Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation thanked Ms. Hicks, both for her presentation and the work done at Ridgewood Addictions Services. Discussion following the presentation focused on the horrors of crystal meth addiction and the resulting spin-offs, such as sexual addiction in our communities. “This is very small in our area right now, but we know it’s coming ad we must plan for it,” said Hicks. Report of the CEO In her report AHSC President and CEO Dora Nicinski discussed with Board members the upcoming Strategic Planning session that will bring Board members, managers and community stakeholders together to plan strategic directions best suited to guide Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation over the next three years. “I am pleased that we have already received feedback from staff members and the community that will be considered at our planning session,” she said. Nicinski reported that installation has begun and a project timetable has been established for the Positive Emission Tomography (PET) scanner. “It is anticipated that the service will begin September of this year,” she said. Nicinski also told Board members that construction on the third cardiac catheterization lab is on schedule. Nicinski advised Board members that the Canadian Council of Health Services Accreditation (CCHSA) will showcase two of AHSC’s leading practices in a document outlining best practices in health organizations across the country, “AHSC has been recognized for a clinical decision-making support tool used in dispensing narcotics and its e-learning programs,” she said. Nicinski updated Board members on the growing incidence of patients in acute care hospitals who are waiting for an alternate level of care. Using data from the NB Department of Health, Nicinski showed Board members that in the fiscal year 2004-05, Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation had 55% of the province’s Alternate Level of Care patient days. “An acute care hospital is not an appropriate home for these patients,” she said. Medical Advisory Committee Dr. Brian Wheelock, AHSC Chief of Staff advised Board members that Dr. James O’Brien, AHSC Vice President Medical Affairs has resigned his position as Clinical Department Head, Plastic Surgery as of June 1, 2006. “AHSC’s Plastic Surgery program is one of the strongest in terms of teaching and medical education. We thank Dr. O’Brien for his leadership over the past ten years,” he said. Professional Advisory Committee Vice-chair Nancy Savage reported that work continues on the Integrated Intensive Care Unit at the Saint John Regional Hospital. Schematic drawings have been approved, and the first meeting with the architect for design development is set for early next month. The new integrated unit will promote enhanced patient safety as equipment and staff are concentrated in one area. Finance Committee 11 months 11 months ended Feb/06 ended Feb/05 Shareable Deficit ($5.984 M) ($3.890 M) Medicare Deficit ($0.785 M) ($0.778 M) Non-shareable Surplus $0.606 M $0.158 M Board Surplus $1.606 M $1.529 M Amortization of Assets ($1.764 M) ($2.091 M) Total Deficit ($6.321 M) ($5.388 M)
Contact: Patricia Crowdis Copyright © 2006 Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation. All rights reserved. |
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