Local News – Thursday, February, 23rd, 2023

The Salem Memorial Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the hospital library. Hospital CEO Wayne Reid gave the Summary of Operations report for the month of January. Inpatient admissions were 88 with 11 Swingbed admissions and 458 patient census days. The average length of stay for medical and surgical stays was 4.41 days while the swingbed length of stay was 17.73 days in January. There were 1,374 Outpatient Registrations, 2,833 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 6,251 Lab Tests, 1,467 Radiology Procedures, 693 Rehabilitation Treatments, 28 Surgical Procedures and 223 Home Health Visits. In January, 682 people visited the Emergency Department with 62 patients being admitted and 41 being transferred. There 279 ambulance runs during January with 196 patients being transported with 83 dry runs. The new Chief Financial Officer William Giles gave the financial report for the month. The total revenues for January were $2,577,056 and while total expenses for the month were $2,765,050, which shows a loss from operations of $187,993. With the unrestricted tax revenue of $367,127, the hospital showed an excess of revenues over expenses for January of $179,133. Reid reported the proposal to fix the kitchen drain came in between $400,000 and $500,000. He said grants and loans will be sought to help with this cost. Reid discussed several outstanding risk issues the hospital may be incurring in the future. One is a possible fine by the IRS for two infractions at $100,000 each for Form 1095 reporting violations and another could be a charge from Cerner for cancellation of their contract. Reid reported that the weekend walk-in clinic is doing very well and the hospital was recently at capacity for admissions and had to divert 4 patients. The Medical Staff reviewed and recommended approval by the board of the revised Medical Staff Bylaws. This update was needed to meet the “plan of correction” noted by the state in a recent survey. The bylaws hadn’t been updated since 2001 and Hospital Attorney Mark Weaver created the new bylaws using a template from the Missouri Hospital Association. Article 5 of the template mentioned “Mid Level” staff and since the hospital currently does not use “mid-level” staff, this article was not used in the final review. Some Board members thought this article should still be included because the administration, on recommendation from RHG, is looking at adding “mid level” staff to assist the doctors in the future. The board provisionally approved the Medical Staff Bylaw updates for 60 days to have further discussions with the Medical Staff. The board approved Judy Thomspon to serve as the board secretary. Ashley Sullins gave the Chief Nursing Officer report. Three new full time positions have been created: one night RN position open in Med-Surg as well as the Emergency Department, and one daytime RN position in Med Surg. In the Human Resources update, recent hires included two Pharmacy Techs. The Hospital Foundation will be having a Cornhole Tournament on March 11th at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory, a Golf Tournament on June 2nd at the Spring Creek Golf Course and gun raffle tickets are now on sale. The board approved several medical staff reappointments. The board then went into closed session.

The Creative Arts Center will be holding a two-day barn quilt class with Terrie Welch and Tana Kettner this Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00, and on Monday from 4:00 to 8:30. Participants will design their own plywood painted quilt to be displayed on your barn or home. Quilt patterns will be painted on 2X2 plywood squares. Many patterns are available or you can bring your own. Participants MUST register by Friday, February 24th, and the cost is $55 per person and all supplies are provided. For more information, call or text 573-247-0651 or go online at salemcommunitybetterment.com and look for the Salem Creative Arts Center tab.

Mayor Greg Parker has called a special meeting of the Salem Board of Aldermen for tonight at 5:00 at the City Hall Council Chambers. The board will discuss Resolution #6-2023 which is a resolution authorizing the filing of an application with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Clean State Revolving Fund Program for an engineering grant under the Missouri Clean Water Law. The board will then go into closed session to discuss contracts before they adjourn. The special meeting is open to the public.

Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer wants to remind everyone your annual assessment forms that list your personal and business property for 2023 will be due on Wednesday, March 1st. Those forms MUST be in the Dent County Assessor’s Office by that day or postmarked that day to avoid paying a penalty. You may drop off your assessment list at the assessor’s office at the courthouse and they are open from 8:00 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, weekdays. There is also a drop box on the front lawn of the courthouse for your convenience if you can’t make it by until after hours. You can also mail in your assessment list forms but make sure you have the postal clerk postmark your envelope. You can also e-file your assessment list form online. Just follow the instructions on the assessment form you received in the mail. If you have lost your assessment list form or never received one, or you are new to the area, additional blank forms are available at the Dent County Assessor’s Office in the Dent County Courthouse. The penalty for not getting in your assessment form on time is determined at $10 per every $1,000 of assessed valuation with a maximum penalty of $100 if you have assessed valuation of $10,000 or more. A quick reminder for those wanting to file their form online, you can only e-file your assessment list form until April 30th. If you have any questions or need assistance with the online form, call Dent County Assessor Jamie Homeyer at the Dent County Courthouse at 729-6010 or stop by during regular business hours at the corner of Highway 19 and 4th Street in downtown Salem.

The Salem Acoustic Jam will be held this Saturday evening at 6:30 at the Creative Arts Center and everyone is invited to attend. Bring your instrument to play or just come and tap your feet. The event is free!