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Trustees approve multiple medical staff appointments and discontinue in‑house digoxin testing
Summary
The board approved several telemedicine and staff appointments and voted to stop in‑house digoxin testing, moving the assay to an off‑site lab to reduce costs.
The Alva Hospital Authority approved initial and reappointment items for medical staff and voted to discontinue in‑house testing of the digoxin assay, which staff said was rarely ordered and costlier to run than reimbursements covered.
Dr. Burke presented credentialing items and recommended reappointing telemedicine hospitalists and other providers. The board approved the slate of appointments (B2 through B7) by a motion from Dr. Burke, seconded by Mr. Bowman; roll call vote recorded unanimous approval from the trustees present.
On in‑house digoxin testing, Dr. Burke explained the clinical context and lab economics: digoxin is an older medication used for certain arrhythmias and the hospital ordered so few tests that the reagent and running costs exceeded reimbursement. He and ER providers recommended discontinuing in‑house testing and sending samples to an off‑site laboratory. The motion to discontinue in‑house digoxin testing was moved by Dr. Brown, seconded by Mr. Bowman, and approved by roll call with all trustees voting yes.
Nut graf: The measures streamline laboratory and staffing resources by moving low‑use, high‑cost testing off site while replenishing provider coverage with telemedicine appointments and allied staff additions.
Ending: Trustees recorded no objections; credentialing and the digoxin-testing discontinuation were entered into the minutes for implementation by laboratory services and medical staff offices.
