BWWMH, CVS reach pact on 340-B program

CVS has signed a contract with Bryan W. Whitfield Memorial Hospital to take part in a 340-B program which is expected to greatly benefit both the pharmacy and the hospital.

BWWMH already has a contract with Walmart and is in talks with both Boone Pharmacy and F&F Drugs.

CEO Art Evans said 340-B is a federal program that allows primarily rural hospitals to purchase drugs at reduced rates, below those of any pharmacy or major retailer.

The program also allows discounts for any prescriptions written for specified patients by hospital physicians.

Using the 340-B is a “major incentive and major source of revenue for rural hospitals,” Evans said.

The agreement with CVS goes into effect Oct. 1.

As of July 1 the hospital began using Press Ganey to conduct its patient satisfaction surveys and educate areas of the hospital on how to improve services for its clients.

Patient satisfaction rates have increased over last year, Evans said, but are not where the hospital wants them to be. Already $80,000 is being withheld from the federal government until scores improve, he said.

The new firm will mail surveys instead of telephone calls that the previous company used.

Marsha Pugh has been hired as the new human resources director for the hospital, and Dr. Marcia Pugh was named director of nursing.

With their appointments, Evans said the hospital has eliminated two positions and two of its five divisions. The remaining divisions are patient care services, fiscal services and clinical and environmental services.

The hospital has a scholarship agreement with Josh Moore, son of Pat and Terre Moore, who began Osteopathic Medical School in Dothan this week. Under the agreement Moore will return to Marengo County to practice when he graduates.

Evans said the hospital is working with another local student who plans to go into medicine.

The board made the following reappointments:

Courtesy staff — Dr. Bryan King, orthopedics

Consulting Staff – Drs. Shailajha Chidella, nephrology; Darrell Prestridge, ophthalmology; Gary Leung, radiology; John Mantle, cardiology, and David Downs, radiology

Locum Tenens – Drs. Sharon Lawrence and Katie Gates, emergency medicine

Board chairman Jay Shows welcomed new board member Michael Patterson. He also praised members of the City Council and Mayor Mike Grayson for honesty and cooperation in the recent negotiations over Patterson’s appointment and thanked members of the board for their help and encouragement.

At the beginning of the meeting, the board recognized two former members with plaques and resolutions thanking them for “outstanding leadership and management” and making them Fellows of the Board of Directors.

Honored were former board chair Annye Braxton and Tom Perry. Also honored for their service, but not attending were Wood Holley and Webb Tutt.