Local News – Thursday, March 23rd, 2023

The Salem Memorial Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the hospital library. Hospital CEO Wayne Reid gave the Administrators Report and thanked Director of Quality Angela Christensen and Lab Director Melissa Carter for their work on the CLIA Survey for the lab. He also thanked Emergency Department Director Tabitha Stanfast for getting the new EDIS system in place and getting all staff and physicians trained on using the new system. A building located across the street from the Bunker City Hall has been identified as the potential site for a future clinic in the Bunker area. Reid reported there have been 236 new patients at the Rural Health Clinic since January 1st. The staff determined that most of the new patients are a result of the Saturday clinic hours as well as patients from the local Mercy clinic, since there is only one provider seeing patients at this time. The hospital is negotiating a new contract with Doe Run for their testing, plus the staff from Congressman Jason Smith’s office recently visited the hospital. Reid noted the possibility of state grant funds being available for capital improvements to the hospital and his top priority would be the Kitchen Drain issue which would cost nearly $500,000, the roof at the Physician Office Building, the driveway for the Emergency Room and the clinic remodeling project. The board approved the purchase of two Emergency Department stretchers at a cost of $12,674 from Hill Rom. The board also approved the purchase of a Stago Satellite benchtop analyzer for the lab for $21,000 which will include validation by Stago personnel. Board chairman AJ Seay is planning a board training provided by the Missouri Hospital Association in the near future. In the Summary of Operations for the month of February, hospital admissions were 103 that included 11 Swingbed admissions with a total of 323 patient census days. In February, there were 1,439 Outpatient Registrations, 1,346 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 6,548 Lab Tests, 1,252 Radiology Procedures, 627 Rehabilitation Treatments, 24 Surgical Procedures and 221 Home Health Visits. There were 528 Emergency Room with 52 patients being admitted. A total of 186 ambulance runs were made with 125 patients being transported and 61 dry runs. The hospital currently has $2.4 million cash on hand, a $600,000 CD and restricted cash of just over $222,000. The hospital had an excess of revenues over expenses for February of $361,804.53 with $250,000 being a gain from operations. Ashley Sullins gave the Chief Nursing Officer report. She noted an increase in nursing students doing their clinicals at the hospital and staff reaching out to area schools to recruit nurses. The hospital currently has one student in a nurse intern program. Sullins said in February there were 20 positive COVID cases and 8 positive influenza cases. Reid stated the ambulance wraps are in process and will be completed soon. Reid reported the recent Cornhole fundraiser made $3,652 and the golf tournament is scheduled for June 21st. Director of Quality, Angela Christensen, reported on the HCAHPS Inpatient Satisfaction Survey with 52 patients participating. The hospital received 84% for cleanliness/quietness of the hospital and 52% would recommend the hospital to their friends and family. The board then went into closed session.

The Friends of William Lynch and Townscreen will present the Salem R-80 School Board Candidate Forum this evening at 7:00 live streamed on ksmoradio.com, the KSMO Stream Facebook Page and the KSMO YouTube Page. Candidates for the R-80 board positions include Bret Bailey, Dru Howard, Calvin Malone, Brian Mink, Greg Moravec, Marjorie Pyatt and Andrew Wynn. Candidates will answer questions by a moderator from the Friends of William Lynch.

March is the annual observance of National Nutrition Month, a campaign to raise awareness of healthy eating and physical activity. Nutrition is especially important for older adults. Proper nutrition is not only a vital part of healthy aging, but it can impact immunity, energy levels, heart health and much more. National Nutrition Month is the perfect time for older adults to educate themselves and consider the impact certain food choices have on their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. The Salem Senior Center can help with education on nutrition and how to live a healthy lifestyle. On Friday morning at 11:00, there will be a presentation on “Juice Plus Senior Nutrition” This is a great way to learn more about health and nutrition while enjoying good food, visiting with friends, and having fun. For more information, contact Jody Schaefer, 573-729-2373.

The Salem R-80 Board of Education in closed session released High School Principal Tori Snitker from her two-year contract and accepted middle school principal Sarah Russell’s resignation. The board hired Branden Piatt as the new Salem Upper Elementary School Principal with a two-year contract, Neal Myers as a high school teacher and assistant football coach, Courtney Snyder as an elementary school teacher, and Kara Constance as the Students Information Systems Director. The board also employed Jody Heavin as the new High School Principal before approving all the district schools probationary teachers, all tenured teachers in the district schools, all head coaches as well as all assistant football, boys basketball, girls basketball, baseball, softball and volleyball coaches as well as lower level coaches. They approved the cheerleading lower level coaches, extended contracts and extra duty contracts. The board also approved adding an assistant middle school girls basketball tier 3 coaching position and an assistant volleyball coach tier 2 position. The closed session was then adjourned.