VTH Board Minutes 1/24/2019

Updates: Info Only

Intern / Resident Requests
Dermatology Technician
Stray Management
Working Dog Initiative
Research Working Group

• ECC has reduced the number of residents they are taking thru the match to 1, as they are working to replace the resident they lost outside of the match.  Dentistry and CVM have each agreed to fund 1/3 of the dentistry resident’s position and the VTH will pay 1/3 provided service productivity in the end of FY19 supports that. Surgery has reduced their request for residents by 1 due to Diplomate restrictions, and has increased their request for interns by 1.
• The opinions regarding the addition of a second dermatology technician were split. The decision to support an additional technician for the service was approved.
• The decision has been made to transition oversight and management of healthy stray animals, and their transfer to the appropriate animal control agency, to Primary Care.  This change will occur as soon as protocols are finalized.
• Ashley Mitek has been working with the IL State Police to establish service protocols for new dogs prior to them being enrolled in training.  These visits will be facilitated by Primary Care and Dr. McMichael is serving as the point of contact for the program directors.
• The VTH Board Research Working Group met and discussed the issues pertaining to clinical research and research associated fees.  Work is on-going and a follow up meeting will be scheduled soon.

3:30 Discussion RE SAC Entrance Project

Doug Reddington - guest

Animal Arts met with VTH personnel in March 2018 to discuss current limitations and work flow associated with the SAC lobby and adjacent areas, and to gain understanding concerning future needs/wants.  In May, a report was provided summarizing the project.  The VTH owes feedback regarding the proposed general concept.  Assessment by VTH personnel and the VTH Board resulted in the following feedback which Doug Reddington will provide to Animal Arts:

• The proposed addition is likely not sufficient to meet space and work flow needs. 
• Understanding that the campus Master Plan calls for Lincoln Ave. to be a main gateway to the campus, it would be best to explore opportunities to position the VTH entrance with eastern access
• There needs to be discussion/space/and planning regarding species specific behaviors and segregation in all waiting areas.
• The long-term waiting area should be positioned with a mindset of easy access by ‘back-of-house’ services as this space will be used by patients undergoing procedures.
• Grief counselling or rooms dedicated to end-of-life scenarios should be accessible easily to an exit, without having to go through the main lobby.
• The flow of admissions and discharge should be natural and not overlap

Imaging Topics

Vet CT Prices
PetRays 
Nuclear Medicine
PJ Hamel and Ad

• VetCT has just increased their fees again.  Recently, we began using Petrays for US studies when Dr. Wagner was unavailable.  The feedback so far has been favorable with regards to quality and timeliness of reports.  With the price increase, VetCT’s cost are consistently higher than Petrays for all modalities and they both have similar report times.  Petray’s reports do not contain the images.  Petrays offers access to radiologist consultants 23/7/365 and they have ‘live chat’ access on their website.  In order to avoid raising VTH prices and to provide enhanced VTH clinician support with regards to imaging, the VTH Board approved the plan to expand the number and types of imaging studies sent to Petrays.
  
  
• Nuclear Medicine has seen a decline in cases of both feline and equine cases.  Discussion to determine if price point was impacting case numbers.  Equine faculty advised that VTH nuclear medicine prices were competitive and the decreased caseload was likely due to the changes in patient demographics.  Action Item: JW will explore price point and adjust as needed.  SAIM faculty advised that I131 cases were welcome and that enhancing advertisement of this service would be welcome.  Cost of the therapy was not thought to be impacting caseload.
  
  
• Drs. Hamel and Billhymer will be scheduling visits to the VTH this spring.  Dr. Hamel will be visiting in March and we will set up a service meeting.  Dr. Billhymer is in her second year as radiology resident so we will work around her schedule.
  
  

VTH Financials (6 mos) and FY 2020 Budget Prep

The VTH caseload is consistent with last year and is not seeing the growth that we had predicted.  In general, decline has been seen in surgical areas, likely due to faculty position openings.  Equine caseload has increased. ECC caseload continues to rise.

VTH expenses are higher than last year relative to revenue.  At our current rate, the VTH should be on-track to meet financial obligations.  A financial summary was provided to Board Members to share with sections.

A planned schedule for the FY20 budget was distributed.  JW and Sarah Kennedy are going to plan on meeting with service chiefs to assist in budget planning.

Equine Surgery Project - Funding models 

The equine surgery project is projected to cost ~$500K.  Equine faculty need to identify the preferred flooring.  ACTION ITEM: JW will contact Dr. McCoy for discussion.  Laminar air flow is not necessary. The crane systems in the new and old room need to connect which will require replacement.  The current equine ortho OR drain doesn’t function so this will need to be addressed.  The VTH Board approved VTH administration to make a funding request to the Dean.  Ideal timing for project is May-mid. Aug.

Equine Sports Medicine Project

A Funding proposal for an Equine Sports Medicine project was discussed.  The funding model calls for $500K of FY2020 affiliate year funds to be used for the project.  The affiliate year funds have historically been used to fund capital equipment requests.  Diverting the funds for the equine project will make these funds unavailable for equipment improvements.  Emergency purchases to maintain service operation would not be impacted.  VTH Board Members requested time to consult with section members. 

ACTION ITEM: JW will request to discuss at the next VCM faculty meeting

128 Slice CT Location 

Two locations have been identified for installation of the 128 slice CT scanner which was approved for purchase by the VTH Board.  Option 1 is in the location of the current cobalt room, adjacent to the current CT scanner, and would result in displacement of the imaging cage room, supervisor’s office and part of the radiologist reading room.  The estimated cost is $240K and the project would not be initiated until after the cobalt has been removed in June/July.  Option 2 is in the SE corner of LAC by Ward 4 and would result in the need to relocate a lab, freezer room, and medical record storage.  The room housing I131 feline patients would be repurposed and those patients would be housed in the decommissioned cobalt room.  The cost for Option 2 is ~$230K.  The VTH Board members discussed the pros and cons of each option and voted that Option 2 was the preferred option. 

ACTION ITEM: JW will present recommendation to college leadership.

Ad Hoc VTH Board Members 

Two faculty members are voted to join the VTH Board and to serve a 2-year term.  Both current ad hoc members joined the board at the same time.  Dr. Ryan Fries will be stepping off the board and Dr. Santiago Gutierrez will serve for an additional year. 

ACTION ITEM: JW will send out a call for nominations to identify the next Ad Hoc member. Term will start Feb. 2019.