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September 25, 2006 The Board of Directors of Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation held its regular monthly meeting September 25 at the All Seasons Restaurant in Sussex. The following are highlights of that meeting: Chairman’s Remarks Audrey Jones, past president of Sussex Health Centre Auxiliary updated Board members on auxiliary activities throughout the year. AHSC Board members acknowledged with gratitude the work of the auxiliary members and noted especially the generous donation that was made to the PET/CT Challenge campaign. Special Presentation! Chairman, William Teed, Q.C. made a special presentation to Walter Cosman, former member of the Board of Directors. Teed thanked Cosman for his dedication in representing the people of the Sussex area. Report of the CEO In her report AHSC President and CEO Dora Nicinski updated Board members on the successful; recruitment for a new Facility Administrator at Charlotte County Hospital. “I am pleased to report that Muriel Jarvis will be joining us the end of October.” Nicinski also noted that the construction of the PET/CT space has been completed; however there has been a delay on the part of the supplier, GE, in receiving Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission approval. This will delay the opening of the PET program, although we do expect to begin seeing patients later this fall. Nicinski also provided statistical information showing that we now meet wait time standards for cardiac triage nearly 100% of the time with the opening of the third cath lab. Nicinski spoke to members regarding the unacceptable difficulties in access to acute care beds at the Saint John Regional Hospital. “This is due to an increasing number of patients awaiting an alternate level of care and increased demand for acute care beds,” she explained. Nicinski said the Department of Family and Community Services has arranged to convert 5 relief care beds to regular nursing home beds in Saint John. “The trend is upward with an average of 95 patients waiting for alternate level of care during the in the month of August,” she said. As she presented Hay Benchmarking Comparison of Canadian Community Hospitals, Nicinski noted that our communities are made up of 40.1% patients over the age of 70, while the Canadian community average is 28.8%. Pubic Questions Members of the public were invited to ask questions that resulted in discussion on the following topic: The opportunity to provide some services and procedures at Sussex Health Centre, rather than in Saint John. Discussion centered around the effect this would have on staff, physicians and the community. Professional Advisory Committee Ken Baird, Chairman reported that the committee had received a report on the Safer Healthcare Now Bundle for Medication Reconciliation. Finance Committee
AHSC received its detailed expenditure levels from the Department of Health. Preliminary review reveals a shortfall in funding and a detailed analysis is underway. A final budget submission will be prepared for presentation to the Board in October.
Contact: Patricia Crowdis Copyright © 2006 Atlantic Health Sciences Corporation. All rights reserved. |
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