Local News – Thursday, August 23rd, 2018

The Salem Memorial District Hospital held their public tax rate hearing Tuesday afternoon at 5:45 at the hospital library. The tax rate is determined by dividing the amount of revenue required by the current assessed valuation, then multiplied by 100 to show the tax rate expressed by cents per $100 assessed valuation. Last year the tax rate was 19.2 cents per $100 assessed valuation. The total assessed valuation for the four counties that make up the hospital district for 2019 is $250,198,261 which is up from the $244,240.452 from 2018. The budgeted tax receipts the hospital anticipates is $475,000. At 19.2 cents per $100 assessed valuation, the hospital would receive $480,381 if everyone paid. The board elected to leave the tax rate the same at 19.2 cents per $100 assessed valuation for the 2019 by a unanimous vote as it will meet their required budgeted amount. The public hearing was then adjourned.

The Dent County Sheriff’s Department has released some reports. On Saturday, August 11th deputies responded to a residence on Private Lane 413 in reference to a domestic disturbance. It was discovered that a 23-year old Salem man had struck his wife in the face, causing physical injuries. The husband had left the residence and was not located by law enforcement. Charges are being sought for this incident. On Monday, August 12th, deputies traveled to the 1000 block of Highway 19 North in an attempt to locate an individual for a previous crime. A “Consent to Search” the residence was granted and a 27-year old Salem woman was found hiding in a closet. She was discovered to have a warrant though the Salem Police Department. She was arrested and taken to the Dent County Jail. On Thursday, August 16th, Dent County Deputies conducted a traffic stop on Franklin Street near Highway 19. The driver, a 33-year old Salem man, was arrested on a felony Dent County warrant. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Friday, August 17th, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 19 near Center Street. A passenger, a 25-year old Salem man, was arrested on a felony Dent County warrant. He was taken to the Dent County Jail and incarcerated. On Saturday, August 18th, deputies conducted a traffic stop in the Wal-Mart parking lot. The driver, a 19- year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while having his license suspended. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. This past Sunday, deputies conducted a traffic stop on Highway 32 West at the Scenic Rivers Taxidermy. The driver, a 61-year old Salem man, was arrested for driving while being intoxicated. He was fingerprinted, issued a summons, and released. If anyone has information regarding an ongoing investigation, please contact the Dent County Sheriff’ Department at 729-3241.

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors regular meeting was held Tuesday at the hospital library. According to Chief Financial Officer Monica Stogsdill, the hospital showed a loss from operations of $50,888 in July with an excess of expenses over revenues for the month of $45,056. Cash decreased for the month by $43,843 and days cash on hand for the hospital was reduced to 83. Stogsdill said the days in net Accounts Receivable for charges was at 58 days which is down from the 60 days last month. Stogsdill mentioned the inpatient admissions at the hospital were up in August with 78 admissions and 257 census days that included 98 swing bed days and 21 observation days. During the month, there were 774 emergency room visits, 222 ambulance runs with 157 patients being transported to the hospital, 37 surgery services, 1,445 outpatient registrations, 274 home health visits, 6,780 lab tests, 1,039 radiological procedures and 663 rehab treatments. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported on the Quality Improvement Program and some changes will be made to where the program is now “project oriented” instead of just reporting data that may cross over into more than one department. She also reported on the HCAHPS survey from the 1st quarter of 2016 through the 3rd quarter of 2017. The Salem Hospital fell six surveys short of getting the “star rating.” The survey response rate was 32% which is about average. The hospital auxiliary will be meeting on Tuesday, September 4th at the Salem Community Center@The Armory at noon for lunch. The Hospital Foundation has announced the next “Dancing with the Salem Stars” will be held January 26th at the Salem High School Gymnasium. Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland indicated the hospital continues to work on its community perception as new radio ads are being cut and new videos are in the process of being made. He also said the hospital will continue to attend a number of activities in the region including the Chamber Rodeo Labor Day Weekend, Community Wellness Expo on September on September 13th and more. A new billboard will be going up at the corner of Highway 72 and 32 West heading toward Licking. He indicated 20 women have already gotten mammograms from the new mammography machine and a Grand Opening date has been set for October 1st at 10:00 at the hospital. He also reported Britney Christesen, D.C. has signed a services agreement for the new Sports Medicine Program at the Salem R-80 High School. She will be at the school on Wednesdays from 2:30 until 6:00 to see student athletes. In old business, the board approved the updated Capital Purchase Policy and Purchasing Policy before approving the appointment of Judy Thompson, A.J. Seay and Ray Bruno to the 2019 Finance Committee. The board will address any by-law changes during the annual by-law review in September. They approved the purchase of a Sentec CPAP/BiPAP machine for the cardio-pulmonary department for $2,085, and they approved the erection of a new SMDH Entrance sign. It will now be 21 feet in the air on two steel posts with new lit sign faces under the SMDH current pan facing that will be used at the top of thee sign. The total cost of installation and changes came to $10,930. The board then went into closed session.