Hospital wants to clean up butts

Times staff report

It wasn’t on the agenda, but on Tuesday, Memorial Hospital of Carbon County’s board members raised a concern: smoking around the hospital building.

“It’s nasty how many cigarette butts there are,” said Art Canaday, the board’s treasurer. “There are at least 100 on the ground by the main entrance.”

The hospital has three designated smoking areas, according to Chief Executive Officer Patsy Carter. But Canaday said the areas are not being used. If they are, no ashtrays are available.

The board members and hospital administrative staff were unsure whether it was employees or visitors contributing to the problem. However, Canaday said the area near the emergency room littered with cigarette butts was likely due to employees because it is largely inaccessible to visitors.

All agreed that action should be taken. Carter should address it with maintenance workers in their upcoming meeting.

“That’s a visitor’s first impression,” said Rex Baldwin, vice chairman of the board. “It’s not our ideal to see folks smoking outside the ER.”

Also at the meeting, board members:

• Were notified that research results for the Wyoming Healthcare Commission’s study on rural health policies will be delayed until December 2008. The hospital was originally supposed to see them in the summer.

• Agreed to increase the amount an employee pays for health insurance each month. To help cover a cost increase of more than $80,000, employees should see about 1 percent of their total pay period earnings allocated to cover the premium. Spouses and dependents should be unaffected.

• Heard the hospital staff is still working with the University of Wyoming to secure a summer externship to encourage new nurse recruits. Two soon-to-be nursing graduates from elsewhere in the state have shown interest in coming to the hospital.

• Were notified that the hospital is under new liability and malpractice insurance for the amount of $465,000. The cost is up from last year’s $338,000.

• Were told of a decrease in the amount of contracted labor. Chief Financial Officer Florence Kostic said it was due to the staff workers taking on extra shifts.