Local News – Thursday, January 18th, 2018
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas introduced the new Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland to the board. The summary of operations for the month of December showed the hospital had a gain from operations of $111,289 and an excess of revenues over expenses of $168,269. The cash flow statement showed a gain in cash of $59,786 for the month with days in accounts receivable at 61. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 74 acute care admissions and 797 emergency room visits. Also during the month, there were 212 ambulance runs with 148 patients being transported to the hospital, 23 surgery cases, 1,435 outpatient registrations, 251 home health visits, 7,284 lab tests and 965 radiological procedures. Hines went over the Quality Improvement Project that focused on six departments selecting areas where improvement is needed including Acute Care Swingbed, Medical Records, EMS, Human Resources, Family Medicine and Environmental Services. Hines presented the Influenza update that showed in December there were 50 reported cases of the flu and so far in January, that number is 85 with most of the flu cases being Influenza A. The total through January last year was 29 cases. Lucas said the Hospital Foundation Board would be meeting February 14th and the hospital auxiliary meeting in January was postponed due to bad weather. They will meet on February 6th at noon at the Salem Community Center@The Armory. The board reviewed the patient satisfaction survey results for the emergency department and for SMDH Family Medicine. The results were extremely good for the emergency department and excellent for SMDH Family Medicine. In the Chief of Staff report, Courtesy Staff privileges were approved for Blake Little, MD. The board then approved the medical staff reappointments for active staff physicians and courtesy staff physicians in all departments. The election filings ended Tuesday and Ray Bruno is unopposed and will be sworn in at the April meeting. Lucas reported the hospital did not receive the NAP grant they applied for. The board set the finance committee meeting dates for February 19th, March 13th and April 10th at noon and then approved the Conflict of Interest policy. Lucas reported on some changes in Home Health required by the Department of Health and Senior Services. The advisory board has been eliminated and Lucas will be the Home Health Administrator. In his absence, Ashley Sullins will act as administrator. The board approved one budgeted purchase at the meeting: two EKG machines, one to replace the current unit and the other as additional machine for $27,268 from GE. The board then went into closed session.
The deadline to file for the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors position, the Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees position, and the City of Salem offices including East Ward Alderman, West Ward Alderman and Mayor was Tuesday. For the SMDH hospital board position, incumbent Ray Bruno was the only one to file and will be sworn in during the Board of Directors meeting in April, while Dennis Floyd was the only filee for the Dent County Health Center board position. He will also be sworn in at the April Board of Trustees meeting. For the City of Salem Mayoral position, incumbent Brad Nash has re-filed and he will be opposed by Daniel Joe Peterek and former Salem Mayor J.J. Tune. East Ward Alderwoman Kim Shelton was unopposed and incumbent Molly Coffman Zettel filed as well as former Salem Alderman, Kenny Nash. The election will be held on April 3rd.
The Salem R-80 Board of Education will hold their regular board meeting at 6:00 this evening at the Salem District Administrative Offices Boardroom. At the meeting, the Board will hear from Superintendent John McColloch who will recognize Board Members, provide an update on the board of education candidate filings, update the board on Chromebook and technology, plus provide a budget update. The principals from all the schools will give their reports before the board accepts resignations. The board will then go into closed session to discuss personnel. The Salem R-80 Board of Education meeting tonight is open to the public.
The Salem Police Department released their report for the month of December. During the month, they wrote 2 equipment repair orders, 10 summons to appear in court, 4 warning tickets, and 10 traffic tickets. The Salem Police Department investigated eight accidents, one burglary, one report of domestic assault, four reports of domestic violence, one report of driving while being intoxicated and/or drugged, two reports of driving while revoked or suspended, and five fugitive warrants. The department also investigated one missing person, one other agency supplement, two reports of possession of a controlled substance, two possessions of drug paraphernalia, six reports of property damage, and twelve reports of stealing. The police department received 853 calls for service during the month and handled 94 walk-ins to the station. They spent 14 hours in court testifying. The Salem Police Department drove a total of 7,766 miles and arrested 13 males and 11 females during the month of December.