On Monday April 19, 2010, a group of about 20 Pratt County Citizens met with the Pratt County Commissioners with the purpose of submitting a proposal regarding PRMC. They included City of Pratt residents plus County residents from each quadrant of the County. Five representatives from PRMC were also present in the audience.
My introduction leading up to the proposal went something like this:
“First, I have a couple personal observations to make. I’ve talked to many people in the last six weeks, before and after the April 6th bond vote. I feel the bond issue was defeated not so much because of the 1% sales tax, but more so because of the $34 million price tag proposed on top of the existing debt which would have bought the total bonds to $40 million. Plus the fact that voters felt that some of this debt could have possibly ended up on property taxes, if the combination of the sales tax plus PRMC’s contribution was not enough to service the annual payment.
I think the majority of the population feel that all of the hospital buildings are structurally sound, can be remodeled, and don’t feel that any of the buildings need to be torn down. Also, the vast majority realize that some renovation is much needed. That’s pretty much a given. The questions are, how much and when?”
I then went on to present the proposal which follows in full:
“I’m representing a group of Pratt County Citizens who are offering the following proposal. We are asking you, the Pratt County Commissioners, to hire an independent Architectural-Engineering consultant. The purpose being to evaluate the hospital complex’s true physical needs in the 1950, 1961, and 1981 buildings. This would include such things as:
- The mechanical, electrical, and plumbing needs
- The space requirements for medical equipment
- Requirements to be compliant with the American Disability Act
- And most importantly, a line-item audit ranging from the complex’s
greatest needs to the least.
All this would help set a budget according to the need by determining the areas and utilities that need renovation or new construction, and those areas that don’t at this time. This would help address the true cost of needed renovation versus what PRMC proposed for new construction on the April 6 bond vote.
The consulting firm should be:
- Completely independent of any PRMC ties
- Be actively involved in hospital planning
- Be paid a flat fee
- Answer directly to the County Commissioners
We suggest that the Consultant be accompanied by a County representative anytime that PRMC staff is involved in the inspection, and this person should also report directly to the Commission. This person should also have a basic understanding of construction. All contracts, blue prints, and specifications from past construction and renovations should be made available to the consultant, as to aid in the evaluation.
We don’t know what this study will cost, but even if it’s a couple hundred thousand dollars, we feel it could potentially save 10’s of millions of dollars in the long run.
We feel that such a study is justified because Pratt County is who owns the land and buildings occupied by the hospital, not PRMC, Inc.
I’d like a show of hands of the citizens present who support this proposal.”
I’ll admit I was more than a little apprehensive about how the meeting would go with the PRMC representatives there, and what their response would be. When I asked the audience for the show of hands of those supporting the proposal, I believe all but one hand up raised.
When the Commissioners asked for any comments, Rich Sanders, of the Pratt County Hospital Board, expressed that he was in agreement that this is something that needs to be done. No one voiced opposition. The following hour was an open exchange of concerns, ideas, and questions and answers. We talked about such things as the aging boiler room and chillers, the ER, staffing, and the need to address and correct problems before they become big ones. What I thought might not go so well, ended up being very productive. I’m so glad that the people from PRMC and the Hospital Board came. Thank you!
Many questions were also asked about how PRMC, Inc. came about. When the Pratt County Hospital opened in 1950, the Sisters of St. Francis were commissioned to administer the hospital, as they had the expertise from doing the same with other hospitals. In the late 1970’s, the County decided to hire their own professional administer and set up an executive board. Thus, the birth of Pratt Regional Medical Center and PRMC, Inc.
The Commissioners indicated that they would research the possibility of financing such a study in order to search for consultants to interview.
I want to thank everyone who attended this meeting. Also, a thank you to the Commissioners for allowing the time for this much needed interaction.
Gary D. Watson
