Winona Health Services

HOSPITAL SERVICES

WINONA HEALTH SERVICES (WHS), A 49-BED HOSPITAL, HAS PROVIDED CARE TO ITS COMMUNITY AND SERVICES FROM BIRTH TO DEATH FOR 125 PLUS YEARS. IT IS THE SOLE COMMUNITY PROVIDER IN THE WINONA, MINNESOTA AREA. IN FISCAL YEAR 2021, WHS HAD 1,510 ADMISSIONS, 203 BIRTHS, 2,744 INPATIENT AND OUTPATIENT SURGERIES, AND 11,141 VISITS TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM. TO FULFILL ITS MISSION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE, THE CORPORATION PROVIDES CARE TO PATIENTS AND RESIDENTS WHO MEET CERTAIN CRITERIA UNDER ITS CHARITY CARE AND COMMUNITY BENEFIT POLICY WITHOUT CHARGE OR AT AMOUNTS LESS THAN ITS ESTABLISHED RATES. BECAUSE THE CORPORATION DOES NOT PURSUE COLLECTION OF AMOUNTS DETERMINED TO QUALIFY AS CHARITY CARE, THEY ARE NOT REPORTED AS PATIENT AND RESIDENT SERVICE REVENUE.CHARITY CARE: WHS PROVIDES MEDICAL CARE TO THE COMMUNITY REGARDLESS OF AN INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO PAY. THE CHARITY CARE COST BASED ON CHARGES FOREGONE WAS APPROXIMATELY $601,383 FOR FY 2021. IN FURTHERANCE OF ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSE, THE CORPORATION PROVIDES A WIDE VARIETY OF BENEFITS TO THE COMMUNITY. THESE SERVICES AND DONATIONS ACCOUNT FOR A MEASURABLE PORTION OF THE CORPORATION'S COSTS AND SERVE TO PROMOTE HEALTHY LIFE STYLES, COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH EDUCATION, AND AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO CARE.THE CORPORATION MAINTAINS RECORDS TO IDENTIFY AND MONITOR THE LEVEL OF COMMUNITY BENEFIT SERVICES IT PROVIDES. THOSE RECORDS INCLUDE MANAGEMENT'S ESTIMATE OF THE COST TO PROVIDE CHARITY CARE, THE COST OF SERVICES AND SUPPLIES FURNISHED FOR COMMUNITY BENEFIT PROGRAMS AND COSTS IN EXCESS OF PROGRAM PAYMENTS FOR TREATING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PATIENTS.IN ADDITION TO COMMUNITY BENEFIT COSTS, THE CORPORATION PROVIDES ADDITIONAL COMMUNITY CONTRIBUTIONS SUCH AS SERVICES TO MEDICARE AND MEDICAID PATIENTS BELOW THE COSTS FOR TREATMENT, OTHER UNCOMPENSATED CARE, DISCOUNTED PRICING TO THE UNINSURED, AND PAYS TAXES AND FEES.DURING FY2021, MANY RESOURCES WERE DEDICATED TO MANAGING THE COVID 19 PANDEMIC COLLABORATIVELY WITHIN THE COMMUNITY. MEASURES INCLUDED EXPANSION OF VIRTUAL VISIT SERVICES, ESTABLISHING A SEPARATE COVID TESTING AREA, VACCINE ADMINISTRATION AREAS, WORKING WITH LOCAL LONG-TERM CARE AND CONGREGATE CARE COMMUNITIES TO TEST RESIDENTS AND PROVIDE GUIDANCE ON INFECTION CONTROL PRACTICES. NUMEROUS PREPARATIONS AND WORKFLOW CHANGES WERE DEPLOYED TO ENSURE PATIENT ACCESS AND SAFETY. PHYSICAL FACILITY MODIFICATIONS SUCH AS CREATING NEGATIVE PRESSURE ROOMS, MONITORING ENTRANCES AND TRAFFIC FLOWS, REPURPOSING OF SPACE, WERE MADE IN RESPONSE TO THE PANDEMIC.