Local News- Thursday, October 24th, 2019
The Salem Memorial District Hospital held their regular meeting Tuesday night at the hospital library. Hospital CEO Kasey Lucas said it was a busy month of September for the hospital with 115 admissions with an average of 13 acute care patients per day. He also there were 2,102 outpatient registrations, 1,963 cardiopulmonary procedures, 8,560 lab tests, 1,409 radiology procedures, 806 rehabilitation treatments, 37 surgeries, 272 home health visits and 869 emergency room visits. There were 272 ambulance runs for the month with 188 patients transported and 84 dry runs. The hospital showed a gain from operations of $72,033 and had revenues over expenses after taxes of $74,451. Reviewing the operating expenses, Lucas pointed out contractual services for floor RN’s brought in a large expense in September as did the purchase of supplies. The days in net accounts receivable has jumped to 73 from 59 due to the audit adjustments as the number of days the hospital has cash on hand dropped to 43. The Hospital Auxiliary was a part of the Breast Cancer Awareness Walk with over 100 walkers in attendance on October 1st. Their next meeting will be held on November 5th at noon at the Salem Community Center@the Armory. Chief Operating Officer Jason Edwards reported the Hospital Foundation will be holding their “Dancing with the Salem Stars” on January 25 at the SHS Gym and they have 13 couples signed up. They will also have a Golf Tournament on June 5th and a Wings and Strings event on September 12th. Foundation Advisory Board members Judy Thompson and Dennis Fielbelman decided to stay on the board for another term. Edwards reported the hospital had 75 people come through their booth at the Rose Holland Trout Derby at Montauk State Park on October 5th. The hospital continues to do their CPR training and first responder training with the Salem Police Department, Dent County Sheriff’s Department and the Dent County Fire Protection District. A Stroke Support group is meeting quarterly on the 3rd Tuesday at 1:00 at the hospital library, and a Diabetes Support group is meeting the 4th Tuesday of each month at 1:00 pm at the hospital library. Edwards wants to promote the diabetes support group more to make more people aware of the meeting. After reviewing the SMDH Emergency Department and the SMDH Family Medicine patient satisfaction surveys which all showed very good results, the board discussed the expansion update. Alexander Construction began work on the Long-Term Care renovations on September 16th while the window replacements in the patient and resident rooms to be done by Cahill Construction will be held off until the spring. The board discussed the issuance of revenue bonds to pay for the hospital expansion and the Request for Proposal letter is to be sent this Friday and due back on November 11th. At that time, the finance committee will be meeting. The board approved the purchase of new hemodialysis unit from Fresenius for $15,141 to replace an old unit. They also approved going with the bid from Town and Country Bank for the lease/purchase amount of $165,876 for a new ambulance with an interest rate of 3.05% with a 36-month term that will require a monthly payment of $4,827.27. The board approved the board meeting dates of Tuesday, November 19th at 6:00 PM and Tuesday, December 10th at noon to work around the holidays. The board then went into closed session.
The Salem Police Department has released a number of reports. On Thursday evening, October 10th near 11:17, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 100 block of North Carty in reference to an assault. The investigation of the report led to the arrest of a 26-year-old female of Salem on an active arrest warrant from Phelps County. The suspect was later released after paying all fines and costs associated with the warrant. On Saturday night, October 12th at approximately 9:40, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. That traffic stop led to the arrest of a 32-year-old male of Salem for driving while having his license suspended. The suspect was issued a summons to appear in court and released. On Sunday night, October 13th, at about 9:40, an officer was dispatched to a residence in the 1200 block of South Gertrude in reference to people using illegal drugs and a suicidal person. That investigation led to the arrest of a 36-year-old male of Washington, Missouri for the possession of heroin and methamphetamine. The suspect was issued summonses to appear in court and released. Please contact the Salem Police Department at 729-4242 if you have information regarding any ongoing investigation.