Moments of happiness and the concession of better sleep occupied the Kimball Hospital Board meeting on March 27.CEO Julie Schnell said that because of the better than projected month in earnings, she would be able to sleep a little better than she had been. Although the comment was made as more of a joke, Schnell was very serious about the concerns she'd been having. The turn around is a great improvement. The reason for the change in the monthly finances was because of lower contractuals and a higher than estimated medicaide payment. David Griffiths, from Regional West Medical Center in Scottsbluff, gave the board the financial report via the telephone. During his report he indicated that the finances were much better this month. "These are good numbers for a critical access hospital," he said. Board member Max Revell was the first of the board members to offer praise of the increase in revenues."This is good news!" he said.Griffiths agreed with Revell. He said that all areas came in at or under budget this month. When it came to the contractual adjustments, Board president Carla Goranson asked how they are figured. Schnell gave a brief explanation of the contractuals. She likened it to a roller coaster ride."Kinda like an easter egg hunt," said Goranson. Schnell agreed.Schnell said another reason the finances are up is because the was an increase in patients. Riding the wave of the good news, Schnell decided to keep it going."At this time we have a tentative acceptance from a PA," she said.Schnell added that there was nothing official yet."We've been down this road before," she said. But still things look hopeful, she said.Board member Will Brown said he had me the prospective PA and said she is a lovely person who is not afraid of work. She is currently working in a village in Alaska. Schnell said they have also might have a visiting Orthopedic surgeon willing to be in Kimball on a rotation schedule. "Again nothing is signed but we are optimistic," said Schnell.Recruiting efforts will continue at the hospital.Another bit of good news from the hospital comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Schnell said that because of this act the hospital may be reimbursed for most if not all of the cost for the Maynard Project. There are some stipulations that the hospital must meet and Schnell seemed confident they would meet them. The only area she was concerned about was the requirement that the hospital be a part of an health information exchange. But the lab's network going electronically should help us to qualify, she said. During the CEO report Schnell said the parts of the Maynard Project is live (phase one) and everything seems to be going well. Customers should be getting their bills from the new system. The new bills will be all inclusive and not individual statements per person, per family. "The intent is to have family billing," said Schnell. The fountain outside the front doors of the hospital seems to have developed an algae growth said Schnell. She said that Kerry Ferguson had looked into how to solve the problem."I talked to Don Meyer and he said to use about a quart of hydrogen peroxide a week until it clears up," said Ferguson who was in attendance. He added that he will try it and see if it works. In other business, the board heard a review of the hospitals insurance policies from Jay Huston of Ryder Rosacker, McCue and Huston, of Grand Island. They also recognized Randy Miller as the employee of the month."All in all this was a better month," said Schnell.