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Hospital reports CNA enrollment gains, missing med‑card keys and staff drug‑testing after incidents
Summary
Board heard updates on clinical staffing levels, a CNA hybrid program with 15 enrollees and several failed skills tests, investigations after missing medication‑card keys and a positive drug test in a new hire; patient transfer challenges with EMS were also discussed.
Hospital clinical leadership reported ongoing staffing shortages but steps to increase caregiver capacity, and described an internal root‑cause review after medication‑card keys went missing and led to new controls and testing.
A staff update said 15 students are enrolled in a hybrid certified‑nursing‑assistant program and the hospital applied for six temporary CNA licenses; three candidates recently failed their skills test and will re‑test without repeating the full class. Three additional candidates are awaiting testing.
Medication cards and diversion review Leadership said several medication‑card keys went missing; staff performed a root‑cause analysis, ordered replacement med cards and tightened access processes. Nurses are now signing for keys at shift start to record accountability. Staff also said that when keys cannot be found the matter is handled under the facility’s drug‑diversion policy and may include testing.
Drug testing results and staffing actions Board members were told a staff drug test returned positive for an employee who had prescriptions disclosed as part of the review; staff said they are assessing the case and have removed at least one employee after a positive test. Leadership described testing as both a safety and employee‑protection measure.
Patient transfers and trauma review Hospital leaders raised several recent patient transfer challenges, including one patient with sepsis who could not be moved promptly because ambulance resources were unavailable; staff said weather and staffing at transport providers sometimes prevent air transport, and they are discussing these cases with EMS partners. The hospital’s trauma review identified at least one case where faster access to blood products would have helped.
Staffing levels and services Reports to the board noted nursing‑home and agency staffing: nine agency staff (one nurse and eight CNAs) on the skilled side, an LPN expected to start by month’s end and an RN interview scheduled for August. The hospital reported Medicaid pending cases had dropped to five, with two ready pending state approval.
Ending Leadership said they will continue training and credentialing efforts, apply tighter controls on controlled‑substance access, and follow up with EMS and trauma partners about transfer protocols.
