Local News – Wednesday, May 30th, 2018

The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday, May 22nd at the hospital library. Chief Financial Officer Monica Stogsdill gave the summary of operations for April that showed a gain from operations of $41,519 with an excess of revenues over expenses of $53,130 for the month. In April, 75 patients were admitted to the hospital as acute care patients per day for April came in at 10.1. A large amount of swingbed patients occurred during April with 143 in-patient census days being reported. The cash flow statement showed a decrease in cash of $57,852 for the month with days in accounts receivable dropping to 60 due. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 670 emergency room visits, 221 ambulance runs with 152 patients being transported to the hospital, 30 surgical procedures, 1,557 outpatient registrations, 334 home health visits, 7,133 lab tests, 1,038 radiological procedures and 650 rehab treatments. The days cash-on-hand for the hospital stands at 89 year-to-date and that continues to be way over the Critical Access Hospital state average of 65 for Critical Access Hospitals. Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas gave a report on the “One America” Retirement after using it for one year. Lucas said 60% of all hospital employees use the program that has 32 different investment options. Contributions from April 1, 2017 through March 31, 2018 came in at $693,628. The hospital is currently looking at plan pricing on deposit activity. An employee meeting will be held late this summer to review. Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland reported on the hospital foundation and the board voted to make it into a 501 C 3 non-profit entity that will give the hospital a chance to apply for grants they currently can not at this time. He also said there is still time to be a part of the Annual Foundation Golf Tournament to be held on June 8th at the Spring Creek Golf Club. He also said the sign in front of the hospital is going to be raised and include Family Medicine Clinic, Air Evac, the VA Clinic and Long Term Care. The Hospital Auxiliary met May 1st with nine members present and they will not meet again until September. The board approved Courtesy Staff privileges for Joseph Hime, MD; Scott Klenzak, MD; Dwayne Narayan, MD; George Northrup, MD; Gregory Renck, MD; and Anne-Mare Turnier, MD who are all tele-psych physicians. The board approved active staff privileges for Dr. Naser Almasalmeh, MD for the Emergency Department and as an Internal Medicine physician. The Finance Committee met and the board will review the budget before voting on it in June. The budget shows an increase in rates an average of about 4% across the board. They expect expenses to increase between 1 and 4% in salaries, 4% in the retirement plan, 4% in supply costs and 7.5% in drug costs. The capital budget was also reviewed for the upcoming fiscal year that includes capital purchases of Evident Clinical Module for information technology and software for home health for a total of $112,820, new fire doors for $25,000, an endoscopy for surgery for $50,000 and numerous other items that need replacing or updating. The hospital also has lease obligations that total $128,087 for the next fiscal year. The operating budget showed reductions in the expected in patient admissions of 1% and 2% in the Emergency Department. Total net operating revenue in the 2019 fiscal year is expected to be about $22,795,221 while the expected expenses at $22,665,432 that would leave an expected gain from operations of $129,789 and an excess of revenues after tax revenue at $609,789. The board approved the purchase of a specialized microscope for the Lab from Olympus for $10,246 to replace an old microscope, the purchase of food tray delivery carts for dietary for $3,617 from US Foods, and a new vital sign monitor for Long Term Care from Medline for $3,588. The board then went into closed session.

Nine people died in traffic crashes over the 2018 Memorial Day weekend. In 2017 nine people were killed during the three-day weekend. During the counting period, the Missouri State Highway Patrol investigated 294 traffic crashes which included 124 injuries and all eight fatalities. Troopers also arrested 121 people for driving while intoxicated and made 102 drug arrests. There were zero boating fatalities over the 2018 Memorial Day weekend. Marine operations troopers investigated 12 boating crashes involving 10 injuries. There were no drownings during the Memorial Day holiday. Marine troopers arrested 16 boaters for boating while intoxicated and made 29 drug arrests.

The Salem Parks and Recreation Department wants to remind everyone their Outdoor Adventure Camp will begin Monday morning at 8:00. This camp will feature all kinds of outdoor activities including archery, kayaking, crafts, geocaching and more. The cost is $6.00 per day, $25 per week or $150 for the whole camp that lasts until July 27th. For more information or to sign up, contact Tye Lydon at 729-6290.