By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
The large dining room at the 1880 Grille in the Conestoga Golf Clubhouse was filled nearly to capacity on Thursday, July 11 for the monthly luncheon meeting of the Mesquite Chamber of Commerce.
Featured speakers at the event were Mesquite Fire Department Chief Jason Andrus and Mesa View Regional Hospital CEO Ned Hill.
An evolving fire department
Andrus began his presentation by giving Chamber members an update on the growth and activities of the Mesquite Fire Department. Over the past 20 years, the department’s focus has shifted somewhat, he reported.
“Two decades ago we were focusing mainly on just being able to put water on fires if they occurred,” Andrus said. “Now, firefighting is only a small part of that. Nowadays, the majority of what we do is medically related.”
Andrus reported that 87 percent of department efforts are now involved with caring for community members from the back of an ambulance. Over the past ten years, emergency medical service (EMS) call volumes have basically doubled, Andrus said.
“And we are running with two less full-time people than we were ten years ago, meaning we are more efficient,” he said.
Andrus said that his team coordinates carefully with staff at Mesa View Regional Hospital (MVRH), meeting together monthly to discuss the community’s EMS needs.
Whenever necessary, the department provides inter-community transport, taking patients to larger hospitals in the region for more comprehensive treatment. The department averages around 500-600 of these types of transports each year, Andrus said.
Even so, those transports out of the local hospital have actually decreased by about 17 percent in the past year, Andrus said.
“That means that more people are staying here for treatment at Mesa View Hospital,” Andrus said. “That is good news and it is a credit to (MVRH CEO) Ned Hill and his staff.”
Andrus also emphasized that his department is committed to being a strong community partner.
As part of that outreach effort, the department offers EMT classes for local youth, through the College of Southern Nevada.
In addition, the department partners with community groups and organizations on various events. Fire department staff serves meals regularly at the Mesquite Senior Center, provides activities for community events like Mesquite Night Out and even competes in the annual Rotary Club Mudd Volleyball tournament to name a few, Andrus said.
“We lost to the police department this year, but we will have to see about next year,” Andrus said to general chuckles from the crowd.
Andrus said that his department was also involved in fire prevention efforts. This year, department personnel taught more than 400 local students about fire prevention, he said.
“I’m proud of the men and women of my department who realize that being a firefighter is not always just driving the fire truck,” Andrus said. “Sometimes it is putting on a clown outfit and teaching kids. Whatever the community needs, we are willing to do.”
Struggles of a rural hospital
In his report to the Chamber, MVRH CEO Ned Hill painted a rather bleak picture of the current state of the nation’s health care industry, specifically for small rural hospitals like MVRH. Hill cited three major challenges posing struggles for these smaller institutions.
First among these challenges was rising costs. Costs are increasing dramatically on everything from provider salaries and benefits, to medical equipment and the cost of drugs and medical supplies, Hill said.
“Each year we are seeing these costs rise by 5 to 6 percent,” Hill said. “That poses a real challenge to the bottom line.”
The second difficulty faced by rural hospitals is a general poor rate of reimbursement from insurance plans.
“For every $1 we bill, we only collect 25 cents,” Hill said. “That is the lowest (reimbursement rates) I’ve ever seen in my career.”
Gross revenues at MVRH last year were at $116 million, Hill said. But the hospital didn’t collect anything near that much. Net revenues collected were only $29 million. And with overall hospital expenses running at around $28 million that left a profit margin of only about 4 percent, Hill said. And even that was a bounce back from a dismal 1.6 percent margin booked in 2017, he said.
The third challenge faced by rural hospitals across the country may be the most significant one for MVRH, Hill said. This is the problem of out-migration of patients away from the community’s hospital.
“Sixty to seventy percent of local residents seek their non-emergent health care in Las Vegas or St. George,” Hill said. “That is a major problem for our hospital.”
Hill said that MVRH is looking to turn that number around through a healthy growth in services offered by the hospital where the community most needs them.
“We feel a lot of responsibility now to grow our services to the community’s need,” Hill said. “And we hope, as we do, that you all will utilize those services as they are added.”
Hill said that the hospital has been aggressively recruiting new providers. MVRH has added six new Family Medicine physicians, two orthopedic specialists and one general surgeon to its staff just this year. In addition the hospital is adding an infusion therapy clinic and a pulmonary function testing lab. In 2020, the hospital will be adding a cardiologist and a full-time gynecologist to its staff and will be opening a cardiac rehab department and a new sleep lab, Hill said.
“We saw these needs out there in the community and we are trying hard to fill them,” Hill said. “Now we just need to keep these providers and facilities busy.”
Hill concluded his remarks with three ways that area residents can help the local hospital with its challenges.
First, people should not forget that the hospital is here for their care, he said. “Recognize that we do have a quality hospital right here in town and remember that it is a significant economic driver,” Hill said.
Secondly, Hill urged people to utilize the hospital for their non-emergent treatments. “Every time we get in the car to go to the doctor, we need to be thinking ‘Can I get this service right here in town?’” Hill said.
Finally, the community should celebrate its hospital. Hill reminded attendees that this month marks the 15th anniversary since MVRH first opened its doors. He urged area residents to maintain a positive outlook and pride in its hospital.
“Are we perfect? Absolutely not,” Hill said of the hospital. “Have we made mistakes? Sure we have. But we will continue to address these things. If we can talk positive about the hospital in the things we say and write and do, that helps people want to utilize and support the hospital and that will help to keep it here.”
President’s Circle member
In another matter of business at the luncheon, the Chamber board recognized the City of Mesquite for becoming its very first President’s Circle Member at the $10,000 contribution level. Chamber president Carol Kolson recognized Mesquite mayor Al Litman who was in attendance at the luncheon. She presented Litman with a special plaque identifying the city as a President’s Circle member.
“Anyone else who wants to come forward and become a President’s Circle member please come and talk to us,” Kolson said with a smile. “And bring a check with you.”
