On Wednesday, the V.I. Government Hospital & Health Facilities Corporation Territorial Board held their monthly meeting and approved requests for equipment, medical staff applications, discussed recent protests, and medical projects.
The meeting was held online via Microsoft Teams. Early on, Juan F. Luis Hospital CEO Darlene A. Baptiste shared updates on the hospital’s status, addressing shortcomings, recent achievements, and the protest that took place earlier this month.
“We’re still doing strategic adjustments to address some of our shortfalls and realign operations for our long term goals,” said Baptiste, who added that the hospital is looking at their salary cost reduction plan to specifically address the attrition in their organization. Efforts for employee advisory growth for increased engagement are also being addressed.
Other issues, including arrears, challenges of being on an island, and shortfalls across the country regarding suppliers, were identified. However, one approving update Baptiste mentioned was the FDA recertification for the hospital’s mammography machine.
“That was one of our pieces that we were getting negative press on, so reconstituting that program has been a successful endeavor for Juan F. Luis,” said Baptiste.
Baptiste addressed the code yellow data breach that occurred in April and highlighted that the hospital is now 25 days away from reimplementation of its Meditech system.
Regarding the protest on July 8, “It seemed you handled it excellently, but from there, at least the media reports there will be some continued follow up. Can you bring us up to date?” asked board member Christopher Finch.
Baptiste responded that it was a “unique opportunity to approach the public from that vantage point.” She added, “We had some discussions. I’m trying very hard to keep it at a level of solution based discussion.”
According to the CEO, three and a half pages of concerns were received from nurses and physicians. Some have been addressed, but highlighted that the concern regarding the shortage of supplies has not been.
“It’s strictly not a cash flow issue,” she said. “Our vendors and suppliers don’t have the stock of which we need.”
Additionally, Baptiste stated that the hospital has 196 claims totaling just over $1.3 million and that 99.5% of the Southern Trust Settlement funds have been expended. Furthermore, Aug. 17 is the anticipated date for operations to resume at JFL, with a gradual return of departments. On July 31, there will be community outreach at the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center.
Board member Julio Rhymer addressed the board and asked for approval over the following items:
The addition of Adeline Williams Connor, newly appointed chief operating officer, as the certifying officer and signatory to all bank accounts of JFLH.
SRMC and JFLH Leadership joint request to enter into a renewal agreement for RYVEX LLC in the form of a combined five-year contract for hematology analyzers and reagents, covering both equipment and supplies for a not-to-exceed amount of $1,161,000, of which the JFLH share shall be $570,000 and the Schneider Regional Medical Center share $591,000. Each hospital will manage and pay its portions separately under the joint contract.
A one-year supply agreement with DG Gas for HG-5 grade LPG for a not-to-exceed amount of $400,000 and for performance of one (1) year from date of execution of the contract.
Change order #14 for the J Benton Construction contract for the Charlotte Kimmelman Cancer Institute, consisting of a low voltage systems package that will increase the contract sum by $890,030.35, leading to a new not-to-exceed total contract sum of $33,650,035.70 and a continued expiration date of Nov 19.
All actions were approved unanimously.
The board also approved reappointments for Elizabeth Dumas, CRNA, Brittany Dawson, CN, and Hakima Aouchiche, MD, and initial appointments for Travis Edelstein, MD, David Ratliff, MD, Pedro Ondina Diaz, MD, Felipe Rodrigues Ruiz, MD, and Thomas Brim, MD.
Darryl Smalls, executive director for the Territorial Hospital Redevelopment Team, provided updates on ongoing projects for the hospitals.
Cassava Gardens, the relocation site for nonclinical staff, is currently being addressed.
“I know the important thing that the board wants to know, as well as the leadership of JFL, is ‘What is that date that we will actually be moving in? ‘” said Smalls. “The TRHT team continues to work feverishly to get those payments processed,” he added, mentioning that there are a few months of arrears being processed.
Of JFLH 5 Acres, Smalls said they are “currently renovating to support the temporary JFL North as well as to facilitate the demolition of the Juan F. Luis Hospital.”
The project will clear five acres, create over 200 parking spaces, and provide a 10,000-square-foot space for medical waste and storage. Additionally, it will generate an access roadway north of JFL to terminate all traffic south of the Virgin Islands Cardiac Center, facilitating the demolition of JFL.
“We are still on target for completion at the end of the year for that,” said Smalls.
Smalls added that the Charlotte Kimmelman Cancer Institute is expected to be completed by Nov. 19. The Myrah Keating Smith Community Health Center contract is currently under review by the selected contractor for upgrades and the center has recently received approval from FEMA for funding for a temporary water supply, storage facility, and for the relocation of the morgue.
The interim dialysis facility on St. Croix has also been approved to receive funding from FEMA and the relocation of dialysis from JFL to VICC has been approved as well. Additionally, according to Smalls, contractor selections for JFL and Roy L. Schneider hospital upgrades are ongoing.
The next board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 20, at 5 p.m. via Teams.
Board members Jerry Smith, Julio Rhymer, Christopher Finch, Frank Odlum, Faye John-Baptiste, and Kevin McCurdy were present and voted. Justa Encarnacion was later present.
