•The board approved making the Koronis Manor and Hilltop Care Center smokefree, following a recommendation of its building and grounds committee. Koronis Manor has received some deficiencies for allowing residents to smoke in a designated hut in the courtyard. Henceforth, new admissions to both long-care facilities will not be allowed to smoke.

•The board reviewed the financial figures for PAHCS for the first six months of its 2004 fiscal year. So far, PAHCS has run in the black $597,862 through the end of March, nearly a $1 million improvement from 2003. CFO Kirk Johnson attributed this improvement to critical-access reimbursement (two-thirds) and to improved operating efficiency (one-third).

•The board approved a revision to its medical bylaws, allowing a doctor to serve as secretary of the medical staff for two years without committing to becoming vice chief of staff and then chief of staff (a total commitment of six years). The vice chief of staff will still advance to become the chief of staff (a four-year commitment).

•The board was informed by CEO Steve Moburg that its malpractice insurance carrier has informed PAHCS of concerns in using midlevel providers for obstetrics and emergency room services. The administration is currently formulating a new set of guidelines for the supervision of physician assistants.

•The board set a special planning meeting for Friday, May 14, at 5 p.m. at the Blue Heron in Cold Spring.

•The board approved changing its May meeting date from Wednesday, May 26, to Tuesday, May 25. Board meetings are held in the Blakely Room at the hospital at 8 p.m.