No one anticipated a pandemic spreading over two years resulting in staff burnout, supply shoratges and financial challenges but despite all the hard, Chief Executive Officer Dewane Pace says Haxtun Health is thriving and standing Haxtun Strong.

“Haxtun Health has faced many of the same challenges as hospitals across the Nation, staffing shortages, supply issues, burnout, financial challenges and more,” Pace told board members in a late-November meeting. “No hospital was prepared for a two-year pandemic and its ongoing toll of providing healthcare in a changed environment. In spite of these challenges, the team here in Haxtun has remained strong, supported each other and not only survived but is thriving.”

Pace reviewed a lengthy list of accolades for the Haxtun Health team since the onset of the COVID pandemic including the addition of two new team members, opening what he calls the best clinic in Northeast Colorado in Fleming, broke ground on a new clinic on Colorado Avenue and starting an infrastructure project that will breathe new life into the existing building. He added that the swing bed program continues to provide an opportunity for those in the Haxtun community to come home to continue their recovery and noted that the physical therapy department is now one of the best there is and the word is out. Plans are to expand the PT department next year and begin offering services on Saturdays.

“Our clinic, lab and pharmacy are all open on Saturday, giving another option to those in our community and County to receive care and services on the weekend without having to drive to another town,” Pace added. “We still face some challenges regarding staffing, but we have taken a different approach to this.”

Pace explained that rather than bringing in agency or traveling staff from out of town, Haxtun Health has decided to offer many of those shifts to the inhouse team and pay them the traveling rate.

“And it has helped,” Pace said. “This solution is a temporary solution and we continue to look for the right people to join our team as we still have a few open positions. The team here remains strong and is committed to being here for our community — Haxtun Strong.”

And in mentioning the construction projects, Pace went on to give an explanation of progress on the infrastructure project while also giving an update on the main street clinic.

“Progress is sometimes messy,” Pace began his portion of the infrastructure project talk. “When you come to the hospital these days you may see a plastic sheet wall here or there. These are called infection control risk assessment walls. We put them up to contain dust and construction debris on one side of the wall while we continue to be open and provide care on the other side of the wall.”

Pace said while it may look a little messy, it is progress as crews work to replace pipes above the ceiling, lighting, ceilings, heating and air conditioning.

“This is breathing life into a building that was built in 1963 with modernization of our infrastructure. We are hoping to complete this part of the internal infrastructure by spring and then look to see the roof replaced on the hospital building shortly thereafter.”

As for the main street clinic project, Pace said he recently heard a complaint that community members cannot see progress with the fence and screenings up blocking construction. He said the comment was followed by a smile and a wink.

“We do have a screen up and a fence to contain the construction,” he said. “If you stop and look carefully you can see what we are doing. The deck has been installed, concrete poured and now we can expect to put up steel and have something that you can see above the fence.”

Pace told board members he looks forward to the day the fence comes down and they open the new clinic, which will be twice the size of the current clinic, as well as physical therapy and retail pharmacy space.

Earlier in the meeting, Haxtun Health Board of Directors heard from Chief of Staff Dr. Ben Stephenson. He said the number of of COVID cases at Haxtun Health have remained steady, with just one inpatient hospitalization.

“With the possible spike in COVID anticipated in the next month, medical staff have developed a plan to room acutely sick patients in the clinic and emergency room while keeping the Fleming clinic reserved for non-acute patients,” the Haxtun Doctor said.

As for vaccines, Stephenson said Haxtun Health staff continue to administer COVID boosters. “This last month, following the FDA recommendations for younger age vaccinations, the CDC has recommended the Pfizer vaccine for children ages five to 11,” he noted. “At administering the vaccine at 1/3 of the dose of what adults receive, the CDC has indicated that its analysis shows the benefits of the vaccine outweigh any risks in this age group.”

Stephenson said the Moderna vaccine is not yet available to this age group since it needs more time to be tested in teens.

During the November meeting, board members approved the purchase of a C-arm machine. The C-arm is an advanced medical imaging device. Its name is derived from the C-shaped arm used to connect the x-ray source and the x-ray detector to one another.

A C-arm machine is used primarily for fluoroscopic imaging, during surgical orthopedic, pain management and emergency procedures.

“With the acquisition of this new advanced imaging device, Haxtun Health will be able to perform more procedures here in Haxtun, helping our patients to not have to drive out of town for care,” Pace said.