Todd Heiman welcomed members for a Zoom only regular meeting.
Todd reminded us of the Board Meeting on February 7th and the need for an email vote, in conjunction with the February 9th regular meeting, on the Bylaw changes that the Board has proposed. Lori Linkous informed us about the Interact Club's sponsorship of a Middle School dance that they are sponsoring on the 11th. Pat Warner discussed the possible addition of Ruby's Pantry to the Ely community.
Jodi Martin - Ely Bloomenson Community Hospital (EBCH) Marketing and Communications team leader.
Our own Rotarian, Jodi Martin, spoke today about the EBCH response to the Corona Virus pandemic. EBCH is a 21-bed critical access hospital, fully independent, with 100+ employees. The hospital began in the 1950's with a $100,000 gift from former resident Abe Bloomenson and has gone through various expansions and revisions to be what it is today. At the beginning of the pandemic the Hospital and its Ely Community Pharmacy had to make many changes to implement best Management practices, such a patient flow, staff management to avoid layoffs, and becoming even more of a community leader. They became a leader for teaching masking, hand washing, and working with schools and the business community to keep people safe.
EBCH has administered over 3,650 vaccinations, 2,538 Covid tests, and at the time was a frequent location for administration of Monoclonal antibody therapy. Fewer vaccinations are being given but they are available any Friday from 8 am to 6 pm and testing is now only available through ER visits as the other infrastructure is implemented through the Clinic, the County, and other regional organizations. Monoclonal antibody treatments are less available and being administered differently, only to the most in need.
Statistically, from 2020 to 2021, EBCH had a 25% increase in admissions, more than a 450% increase in lab tests, a 40% increase in hospital days, and substantial increases that nearly doubled outpatient visits, and a tripling of outpatient clinic visits. As that was happening, the hospital continued its role in providing masking information and training, community education, and helping to keep our community as safe as possible.
A big shout-out to these heroes who have ministered to the sick and helped keep so many of us safe.
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