by Sharon Niederman
RATON — At the Aug. 25, 2023 meeting of the Miners Colfax Medical Center board of trustees, trustee Dr. Loretta Conder asked whether there were any plans to re-open the Intensive Care Unit, which closed in March, 2023.
No, CEO Bo Beames replied. Rather, MCMC plans to continue training medical-surgical nurses in certain procedures to replace the unit. While Dr. Conder suggested the lack of an ICU might account for a decrease in patient numbers, Beames said small rural hospitals equivalent to MCMC no longer had ICU’s, rather that function was being handled by bigger city hospitals, and that function was becoming known as “transitional care.” While the hospital is realizing a savings of $3 million through the elimination of more expensive agency nurses, many of whom served in the ICU, patient numbers are down, as reported by CFO Lonny Medina.
Nurse Lisa Cordova was recognized as “Care Champion” for her outstanding work as a nurse in ER, and medical-surgical, and clinic, and, she also holds the position of head of Springer Ambulance service in her home town of Springer. The hospital has retreated from employing 11 agency nurses, down from the high of 20.
A rural health services grant of $80 million a year for three years is being made available, with certain stipulations, mainly, that grant money be used to fund new and expanded services. MCMC is applying for $300,000, or, $100,000 annually for three years to fund behavioral health services and hire a specialist. According to Beames, $120 million has been requested.
Medina says there will be ongoing staff reductions through attrition.
The long-term care census is at a post-pandemic high of 23.
Dr. Barry Singleton, who has been working as director of long-term care, has turned in his notice. He plans to remain in the Raton community, however.
Black Lung Outreach services continues to test for the condition around the West, seeing about 30 people in each stop. The program is headed to Grants, NM with testing done for the Laguna Pueblo.
An active shooter drill is being planned for spring.
