Hospital looking at implementing two projects

The Mineral County Hospital Board of directors have been working with a steering committee during the past year to explore the possibilities of major improvements to the facility, which, would improve patient care and increase efficiency if implemented. Last Tuesday, August 17, they held a public meeting to gather input on two proposed ideas: building a woody biomass energy system and the construction of a new hospital.

Steve Carty, hospital administrator, said that over the past couple of years they've taken the time to look at the facility and evaluate the different services and programs, as well as look at the age of the facility.

"And we have some concerns," he said. "To be able to keep this place viable we need to act sooner rather than later...we definitely want public input and want to have your opinion voiced because we do want to consider all public opinions on what we're trying to do."

First on the agenda was the discussion of building a woody biomass energy system. The proposed system would be a partnership between the hospital and Superior Public Schools and would replace the fuel oil and propane system in the hospital and school. George Bailey said that it is projected that nearly 4.5 million dollars would be saved over a cycle of thirty years. Carty said that a feasibility study conducted through a grant from the Department of Natural Resources and Conservation indicated that it is a good project for the hospital and the district and have "given the green light."

"When I first got here someone from the forest service came up to my office and asked if I had ever considered woody biomass. At the time, I had no idea what they were talking about," Carty said.

Chips for the system are produced locally and would help to retain and create timber jobs in the county.

"The thing that's intriguing," Carty said, "is that we have a couple of mills right here in our own county that could provide the fuel for this system. We can help sustain our own county."

Bailey also noted that with the closure of Smurfit-Stone mills have fewer options about where to send leftover material. He also suggested that it would create a place for the removal of waste material from the forests.

District ranger Sharon Sweeney said that from her perspective that the system would create a "wonderful avenue to get material out of woods."

Currently, MCH and SPS have applied for a $300,000 grant from the state for the construction of a woody biomass energy system. The grant is expected to be awarded around September 15. The system would provide energy to the schools, old hospital buildings the new hospital should it be built as well. If constructed, MCH and SPS will be the first group in Montana to install a single district wide heating and cooling and power system to a renewable energy source that is locally produced.

Following discussion of the biomass system, Carty turned the discussion topic to the construction of a new hospital. The new hospital, if built, would be constructed on a piece of ground on the other side of a piece of ground located near the assisted living facility. He asked those attending the meeting what they would like to see in a new hospital. County residents said that they'd like to see dental, family planning, detox and emergency medical services in the new building.

The need for a new hospital comes as several circumstances with the current facility impair MCH's ability to give those utilizing the hospital quality. The current facility has been occupied since 1975 and will be almost fully depreciated by 2014. There are significant issues with the heating, plumbing and other major systems throughout the hospital as well as significant space issues.

The other problem is that many patients drive past facilities that are not up to date and several neighbor health centers around MCH have completed major improvements including those in Missoula, Ronan and Plains.

Carty said that MCH is the number one critical access hospital in Montana and yet they lack adequate space in emergency rooms. Carty said that when they build the new hospital they intend to convert it into a federally qualified health center, which will open doors to government funding as well as allow them to base fees on a sliding fee scale.

"We'll be able to provide medical care for a greater population," Carty said.

Rather than patients coming in at the last possible moment, patients who are under insured or who carry no medical insurance will have access to preventative care before a larger problem that costs thousands of dollars takes them to the hospital as those who have no insurance or have limited don't go to see a doctor until the absolute possible moment.

Aside from reaching a larger number of patients, Carty said that with the new hospital they are looking at also putting in a wellness center. This would provide access to exercise equipment, a possible indoor pool, classrooms for students, a health center and therapy.

The old building would also have other possible uses. Carty said that it could serve as a data center for telecommunications group such as Blackfoot, a workforce development center as well as other uses it could be rented out for. He said that with the green technology of the biomass system it would be attractive to companies looking to lessen their carbon footprint.

The estimate cost right now to build the new hospital sits at around 15 million dollars. Steve Grove spoke with the group about financing options that the hospital board has been looking into. One option includes a loan from a program underneath the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Grove said that the pre-application for the 14.2 million dollar loan was approved and the hospital has been invited to apply with a full application. The second option is financing from the state recovery zone bonds.

"The cost of money is really good right now," Maureen Bullock, chairman of the board of directors said. "We're charging forward. People are starting to talk about what this place is doing...we're getting ahead of the problem instead of running behind it."

Bailey said he feels it is critical for the county to hold onto their hospital and for the towns to hold onto their schools.

"You lose a hospital or a school and you lose your town," Bailey said. "We're looking at a future versus looking in the rearview mirror.

Carty mentioned that the next couple of weeks would be critical as they wait for the grant award and move into the application process for the USDA loan and wait on the recovery zone bonds. With a new facility, the committee estimates that they will see an increase in patients and while expenses will increase, they will not increase nearly as much as the revenue.

Carty said they do not "intend on imposing any new taxes on residents." Bullock stressed that the committee recognizes that this is not a Superior hospital, but a Mineral County Hospital. The board members encouraged anyone who had questions, comments or concerns to contact them. For more information and project updates, you can visit their Web site at MineralCommunityHospital.org.