LWVSJ Observer Corps: SJC Public Hospital District #1, February 26, 2025
Peace Island Medical Center (PIMC) report for July-December 2024: PIMC clinic visits, ED visits, outpatient and testing/imaging use, and cancer care increased across the board. The clinical excellence initiatives are on target. Eighty-eight percent of patients are from San Juan Island, with 5% from other islands and 7% from out of county. PIMC is finalizing a contract with Vituity to manage the Emergency Department physician group. There will be no billing changes. The UW School of Medicine’s resident program will continue. The Commissioners approved a $612,711 payment for the semi-annual PMIC subsidy.
PHD Superintendent Butler gave the 2024 Annual Report. Village at Home launched in March to provide home services and ended the year with 12 employees and billing $5,000-8,000 monthly. The Village at the Harbor made significant improvements for residents’ safety and comfort. It is currently fully occupied, including its five Medicaid units. In 2024, they responded to 13,611 calls for assistance by residents, and served 34, 272 meals. EMS had a successful year with an expanded training program; an EMT class; upgraded medical, vehicle, and communication equipment; and a feasibility study for an expanded EMS building.
Finances: The state auditors returned a clean audit, reviewing the opening and acquiring two business entities, passing levies, and taking over financial tasks from the county. Commissioners Frazer and Lindstrum will attend the audit exit interview March 6. EMS is in the best financial shape in 15 years, with revenue higher than expected and expenses less than expected. EMS is primarily a tax-supported entity, unlike Village at the Harbor and Village at home, which derive much of their income from fees. Labor shortages are an ongoing problem for the Village at the Harbor.
Old/New Business: Effective March 1, San Juan Island Fire and Rescue terminated its interagency agreement with EMS to provide supplemental EMT service with Fire personnel on EMS calls. The PHD Superintendent and Commissioners agreed to an April 17 strategic planning meeting. To accommodate holidays, meeting dates were changed to November 19 and December 17. The Commissioners approved EMS Chief Butler’s request to increase the budget by $20,000 for EMS training in rescue operations.
During public participation Dr. Fishout asked the PHD to give a presentation to the local medical community on its services and how they tie-in to primary medical care.
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