Local News – Friday, April 29th, 2022

The Dent County Health Center Board of Trustees held their April meeting on Thursday the 21st. Health Center Administrator Zach Moser said the communicable disease report included the investigation of 22 COVID-19 cases, 66 cases of Influenza A, 4 animal bites, and 9 other communicable diseases. Moser noted that the Health Center recommends everyone over the age of 5 to get vaccinated against COVID-19. In the diagnostics report Moser said that 198 blood draw appointments were completed and that the advertising campaign initiated last month to increase awareness of the service resulted in a 150% increase in March appointments. There were 68 COVID tests during the month and tests are available ranging in price from $10 to $50, however most people can qualify for free testing and no doctor’s orders are required. Moser said that 76 COVID-19 vaccines were administered, plus 118 other vaccines. There was a total of 451 appointments during the month, which was a substantial drop from December and January, but a 30% increase from February. Moser said he felt that this was primarily due to the steep decline in COVID-19 cases, testing, and vaccinations. Assistant Administrator Roma Jones gave the environmental report and said she conducted 5 inspections, 2 recalls and fielded 14 environmental questions. In the Administrators report Moser said that the construction and renovation was nearing completion. The WIC Enhancement Grant is still in progress, plus he presented the 2021 Dent County Health Center Annual Report. The Board decided to review the report after the meeting. The report will be published after it’s approval. Moser reported that the Health Center received a $20,000 grant designed to help rural health departments from the National Association of City and County Health Officials. He also reported an amendment to the CCHC contract which will provide CPR training for childcare providers in the amount of $3,519. Tonya Akers is a certified Basic Life Support (BLS) instructor through the American Heart Association so this grant will cover the costs of her conducting CPR classes for childcare providers. During new business laboratory fees were discussed and the current $10 draw fee does not adequately cover the employee cost, supplies, and overhead. The Board voted to adjust the prices per test in relation to the Labcorp fees. The Board authorized a change in the employee pay schedule to allow for monthly or biweekly pay with the changeover to take place May 1st. The Trustee Vacancy on the Board was discussed, and the County Commission will be making an appointment with the appointee to serve until the next municipal election. Projected costs associated with attendance at an Adolescent Health Conference in Kansas City for Jennifer Roderman, RN, were approved in the amount of $743.00, plus meals and mileage. Moser presented several slides introducing the Board to the COVID-19 Health Disparities contract recently awarded to DCHC in the amount of $1.2 million. Around $800 thousand is earmarked to pay for childcare for Dent County residents to assist people in going back to work after the COVID lockdowns. The grant also focuses on increasing access to vaccines, testing, and primary care. After discussing a few concerns, the Board moved to accept the grant and sign the contract. As a result of the grant bids were considered and the following purchases were approved. A Piccolo Blood Chemistry Analyzer from McKesson for $12,990, a LabRepCo AC/DC mobile refrigerator for $840, and an Afinion A1c Analyzer from McKesson for $3779.24. One of the goals of the Health Disparities Grant was to address the logistics of providing mobile services. To accomplish this the Board authorized the expenditure of up to $40,000 of the grant for a DCHC van. The Board also approved the low bid from Action Graphics for a 4’ X 8’ electronic message system for $36,671. Another aspect of the grant would be to add a Nurse Practitioner to the DCHC staff. A Nurse Practitioner would see patients after they come through the testing room, expand the Women’s Health and Family Planning programs, and assist with other programs in place like diabetes education, STD treatment, and other maternal-child health initiatives. The first 1 to 2 years would be paid for by the Health Disparities Grant. For sustainability other income sources would be sought. The Board approved the addition of the nurse practitioner position. The next meeting date of the Board was set for May 19th at 5:00 at the DCHC.

The Dent County Commission Thursday morning met at the courthouse for their regular meeting. At the meeting, Salem Memorial District Hospital Interim Administrator Bill May along with Physical Therapist Gina Daniels and FNP Michelle Bland were in attendance to talk with the commission about pre-employment physicals and testing that would create a baseline for employees when they are hired which may provide a discount on the workman’s compensation insurance for the county. The cost would be deeply discounted for the county as a community service of the hospital. The commission said they would discuss it. In the road report, District 1 Commissioner Wes Mobray said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Road 6570 while only grading would be done on county roads 5530 and 6420. He also said brush would be cut on county road 2490. Mobray said workers removed a pickup full of trash that included six tires, a mattress and a box spring. District 2 Commissioner Gary Larson said materials would be added and grading done on Dent County Roads 2570, 4060 and 4290. Presiding Commissioner Darrell Skiles is encouraging anyone who is unhappy with the Ozark National Scenic Riverways final Roads and Trails Management Plan that has closed some access to the rivers to contact Senator Hawley’s or Blunt’s office and that of Representative Jason Smith. This will be the only way any changes will be made to the plan. Dent County Clerk Angie Curley said she balanced with the treasurer on all accounts for the month of March. The next meeting of the commissioners will be Monday morning at 9:00 at the courthouse and it is open to the public.