Supervisors hear update from Veterans Memorial Hospital CEO, approve masonry and brick sealing proposal, as well as purchase of motor grader
by Joe Moses
The Allamakee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session Monday, February 3 to address a full agenda of matters including an update from Veterans Memorial Hospital, the consideration of an appointment to the Board of Adjustment, and the consideration of a motor grader purchase for the Secondary Roads Department. The meeting was called to order by Board of Supervisors Chairperson Dan Byrnes with Supervisors Dennis Keatley and Tom Clark present.
During Public Comment, Executive Director Val Reinke of Allamakee County Economic Development (ACED) discussed recent events and activities within the county in addition to upcoming events including Main Street Lansing’s Trivia Night scheduled for Saturday, February 8. Reinke noted that the Allamakee Energy District will be holding a meeting this week and that TravelIowa.com currently has a story on its website’s front page titled Top 10 Things To Do Along the Driftless Area Scenic Byway in Allamakee County as sponsored content from ACED.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Michael Coyle of Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon made note of his fifth-year anniversary in his role with the hospital. Coyle advised that during this time he has seen many positive changes in Waukon relating to business growth and new business creation and that he has received a lot of positive feedback relating to the local area and county.
The meeting moved into the Veterans Memorial Hospital update with Coyle providing an overview of several hospital-related matters. Coyle noted that he plans to provide an update at Board of Supervisors meetings on a quarterly basis moving forward. He made note of the hospital’s transition to the Epic electronic medical record system through a partnership with the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.
Coyle further noted that VMH, along with eight other hospitals, is part of a program known as Community Connect allowing access to relevant patient records. Coyle explained that Epic will improve patient care and outcomes with improved data traffic. Relating to this transition, Coyle advised that this process takes a year to implement with Epic scheduled to go live at VMH Saturday, June 14 of this year, with it being anticipated that the hospital will be busy with additional activity Friday, June 13 with 30 University of Iowa technicians and staff in place assisting with the Epic upgrade. Coyle further explained that University of Iowa technicians and staff will be present for a week around that mid-June timeframe as part of the Epic transition.
Coyle also reported that current patient traffic and numbers are high at VMH and the Postville and Waukon Clinics with influenza and pneumonia being factors. He noted the importance of hand washing during flu season. Coyle made note of Dr. John Swords, DO, a family practitioner, that will begin practicing at VMH and the Waukon Clinic in the next few months, among other providers being recruited.
Coyle further discussed ongoing budget work and made note of the recent public hearing relating to the hospital’s $6 million in revenue bonds which he advised is secured based upon the hospital’s revenue with no obligation to the County or residents. He noted a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system update among other maintenance and repairs to be addressed.
Coyle discussed with the board the benefits of the Pixys medication dispensing system used in the hospital’s pharmacy department in ensuring that patients receive medication as prescribed. Coyle noted that VMH has been recognized for the third year in a row as number-one in cleanliness by the Iowa Hospital Association, in addition to receiving the Press Ganey Human Experience Guardian of Excellence Award® in the last year for being in the top five-percent relating to patient outcomes and satisfaction in delivering emergency care. In conclusion, Coyle discussed the importance of telehealth, among other topics briefly discussed with the Supervisors.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, February 5, 2025 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
