Local News – Wednesday, March 27th, 2024

The Dent County Health Center (DCHC) Board of Trustees held their regular meeting last Thursday, March 21st. Administrator Zach Moser presented the Service and Statistics report. In the Communicable Disease Report, he stated that there were 16 COVID-19 cases reported, 34 lead cases, 21 screenings for sexually transmitted infections, 37 cases of Influenza and 2 animal bites. The environmental report by Assistant Administrator Roma Jones showed there were 11 total inspections conducted, she had 4 sewer complaints and 10 environmental questions were fielded. A town hall meeting and informational session is being planned to provide information and answer questions about the new Consumer Food Safety Regulation. The Maternal-Child Health (MCH) statistics showed there was one CPR Course, two consultation for Childcare Health, one Show-Me Healthy Women appointment, 27 Title X appointments, five Presumptive Eligibilities (Temporary Medicaid) and 320 WIC appointments. The Community-Specific Services Summary showed 483 total appointments other than WIC, 169 Nurse Practitioner appointments, 85 treatment court visits, 200 lab appointments and 29 immunization appointments. Nurse Practitioner Service Details showed no Show-Me Health Women appointments, 3 family plannings, 75 well-child visits, 9 online appointments, 6 other physicals, 23 SEMO physicals, 9 other visits, and 114 acute illness appointments. Laboratory details showed 219 individual patients, 19 appointments for Rapid Test for COVID, Flu, RSV or Strep, two pregnancy tests and two lead tests. Immunizations for February totaled seven for COVID-19, two for Influenza, and 76 other vaccines, including the new RSV vaccine and new formulations of pneumonia vaccine. In the Administrator’s report, Moser reported that DHSS paid two months of WIC reimbursement in February. He said that an “Extension of Adult Immunization” grant through DHSS and a NACCHO grant was awarded in the amount of $109,000 so an immunization RN position was posted. Moser said that due to a new program as the state level, DCHC will soon begin offering free Hepatitis B and C testing. The Health Center financial reports for February, including the overall results from H & R Block, were reviewed. Discussion was held on the balance sheet, income statement, and budget statements. After these questions were answered, the financial reports and the report from H & R Block were approved. In new business, quotes for a Respiratory Testing Analyzer were presented from GeneXpert and Biofire Spotfire. The Board approved the Biofire Spotfire bid for $34,482.76. A quote from McKesson for a Binx IO analyzer for Chlamydia/Gonorrhea Rapid Testing for $11,500.00 was approved by the Board. Two quotes were considered for counter top autoclave devices and the Board approved the purchase of the automatic door autoclave for $8,039.56. Moser presented the personnel manual which was being revised as part of the strategic plan and previously discussed needs. The changes were discussed line by line and were approved by the Board. He presented the 2023 Annual Report and it was approved by the Board. Moser requested permission to dispose of some assets which were non-inventory assets including a Xerox copier, medical freezer and some chairs. The Board approved disposal of the assets. No closed session was held. The next regular meeting of the Board was set for Thursday, April 18th at 5:00.

An accident happened Monday afternoon just past 2:45 in Franklin County on westbound Interstate 44 at the 242 mile-marker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2007 Lexus RX 350 being driven by 63-year-old Amanda Irwin of Salem, was stopped in the left hand lane due to an accident that had occurred ahead. At that time, a 2024 Kenworth T680 being driven by 51-year-old Clifford Day of West Plains, was unable to stop his rig and struck the rear of the Lexus. Irwin suffered minor injuries and was taken by Meramec Ambulance District to Mercy Hospital in Washington. Both drivers were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident. The Kenworth sustained moderate damage and was towed from the scene by personal conveyance. The Lexus had minor damage but was able to be driven from the scene.

The Missouri Public Service Commission has adopted recommendations made by the Public Service Commission Staff which reduces the current surcharge that appears on the monthly telephone bills of Missourians to fund Relay Missouri. The surcharge will drop from $0.10 a month per telephone line to $0.06 a month per telephone line. The surcharge is used to fund a statewide dual-party telephone relay service for qualifying Missourians who are unable to use traditional telecommunications equipment. Relay Missouri is funded through a monthly, per telephone line surcharge. Missouri statutes require the Commission to review the surcharge no less frequently than every two years. It also requires the Commission to order changes in the amount of the surcharge as necessary to assure available funds for the programs supported by that fund. After reviewing the PSC Staff pleadings and comments from the Office of the Public Counsel, the Commission adopted the PSC Staff’s recommendations. The Missouri General Assembly established Relay Missouri in 1990. The surcharge level is periodically reviewed by the Commission according to the requirements established by Missouri statutes.