Local News – Thursday, January 20th, 2022

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Director’s meeting was held Tuesday evening in the Hospital Library. In the summary of operations for the month of December, the hospital had 60 inpatient admissions with 205 inpatient census days. The hospital showed a loss from operations of $933,206 and had an excess of expenses over revenues of $838,563. During the month, there were 628 emergency room visits, there were 211 ambulance runs where 147 patients were transported. In December, there were 25 surgery cases, 1,390 outpatient registrations, 4,853 lab tests, 1,071 radiological procedures, 618 rehab treatments and 200 home health visits with 19 home health admissions. The Long-Term Care Center has 16 residents with two vacancies. The days cash on hand went down to 30 days while 53 is average for Missouri Critical Access Hospitals. The hospital had a cash decrease during the month of $1,803,815. The hospital is expected to receive just over one million dollars from the American Relief Fund. Chief of Nursing Ashley Sullins gave the Acute Care Staffing by Patient Acuity report that showed the average acuity was 16 per day with an average of seven patients per day. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported that as of January 14, there were 213 active COVID cases in Dent County with a positivity rate of 30%. He said Dent County is currently showing 31.4% of the residents are completely vaccinated and 35.2% have initiated the series. At the hospital, six employees are out with COVID, 45% of the staff is completely vaccinated while 61 employees are unvaccinated with 49 having approved exemptions. With the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services Vaccination Mandate, health care employees have until February 13 to get their first dose and until March 15 to have their second dose of the vaccine. Lucas gave the Chief of Staff’s Report that recommended reappointing all medical staff privileges. The board approved the recommendation and also approved Dr. Tiffany Bland’s appointment to the Active Staff. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards gave an update on the laboratory. The lab has completed all the Individual Quality Control Plans for the current analyzers in use. The Medtox analyzer for urine drug screens has been validated and has received final approval from CLIA to begin patient testing. The final validations are expected to be complete by the first of February. The lab is currently operating without a Lab Director and is short on lab techs and phlebotomists. There have not been any applicants for these positions. The hospital has run out of PCR Covid tests and have not been able to reorder. District 3 election filing ended on December 28th with Wanda Tatom being the only candidate to file for the seat currently held by Dennis Fiebelman. There will be no election since Fiebelman will not seek re-election and there is only one candidate. Lucas reported that the hospital has been approved to participate in the Delta Regional Community Health System Development Program. They are one of only nine hospitals in the Delta Region that was chosen to participate. This program is a collaboration between the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and the US Department of Health and Human Services to enhance health care delivery through intensive technical assistance to providers in rural communities. The program will target improving financial operations, implementing quality improvement activities to promote better health outcomes, increase telehealth, enhance coordination of care, strengthen the local health care system, provide social services to address broader socio-economic challenges, ensure access to emergency medical services, and identify workforce recruitment and retention. The board approved the purchase of a rooftop air conditioning unit for a cost of $16,200 from Victor Heating and Cooling and an ice and water dispenser for $4,648 from Scotsman. The board then went into closed session.

The Salem R-80 Boad of Education will be meeting tonight in the high school library. Superintendent Dr. Lynn Reed will report on board candidate filings, give a current Covid update along with a review of the 2022-2023 school calendar and an ESP project update, food service report, and an update on the FEMA grant. The board will the hear reports from the all the building principals along with reports on athletics, activities and facilities. In new business, the board is expected to set CSIP meeting dates, consider bids to replace the gym floor, consider the short-term leave policy and SRCSP program, and approve the RPF for food service. The board will then adjourn and move into executive closed session. The regular meeting is open to the public.

The Salem Area Arts Council will be holding a jewelry class where participants will learn how to make copper leaf necklaces with Margie Moll tonight from 5:30 until 7:30 at the Creative Arts Center. You can try your hand at creating jewelry out of copper using a ball-ping hammer and torch. All the supplies and safety equipment will be included, and the cost is $25. For more information or to register, call 247-0651 or 247-5306 or e-mail salemartscouncil@outlook.com.