Local News – Wednesday, October 18th, 2023

The Salem Memorial Hospital regular board meeting was held Tuesday evening in the hospital library. In the Administrators Report, Interim CEO Jason Edwards reported that the MHA’s Population Health Assessment Survey had been submitted and that administration had met with BJC representatives to discuss potential services. The audit consultant is on-site for audit preparation and the Strategic Planning estimate is being sought from People Centric Group. FORVIS visited the hospital for data collection and conducted interviews for Revenue Cycle Management and Physician Practice Management training. These plans will be presented at an action planning session scheduled for November 20th and 21st.  The board approved adding Mike Swyers as the Vice Chairman of the Board to join Chairman Ray Bruno and Secretary Wanda Tatom. CFO Doug Hoban reported hospital admissions were 82 which included 8 Swingbed admissions with a total of 224 patient census days. In September, there were 1,464, Outpatient Registrations, 1,056 Cardiopulmonary Procedures, 6,669 Lab Tests, 1,174 Radiology Procedures, 587 Rehabilitation Treatments, 27 Surgical Procedures, and 239 Home Health Visits. There were 683 Emergency Room visits with 49 patients being admitted. A total of 248 ambulance runs were made with 156 patients being transported and 92 dry runs. The hospital had expenses over revenue in September of $67,006 with a loss from operations of $70,186. The 340B plan showed revenues over expenses for September of $42,579. The Rural Health Clinic net profit for September was $5,940.09. The board approved getting bids from local financial institutions for CD rates and moving funds around to get the best rate. CNO Ashley Sullins said the hospital is interviewing candidates for various nursing positions. Staff will participate in a Career Fair at the Salem High School on October 19th and conducting fall clinicals for Southwest Baptist University’s RN Bridge program. In the hospital foundation report, the “Dancing with the Salem Stars” fundraiser will be held on February 24th at the high school gym, and the “Volley for a Cure” volleyball tournament will be held on October 21st at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. The board discussed the seven-year long range capital plan and Board member Judy Thompson encouraged the board to make plans for improving patient rooms including beds, trays, draperies, etc. The board approved allowing Administration to spend $465,000 for the Long Term Capital Plan expenses and anything over $5,000 would need board approval. The board heard from Michael Smith, Interim Director of Revenue Cycle, who explained goals and objectives to work with the registration and clinic staff to improve insurance billing and registration accuracy to increase revenue. The meeting was then adjourned.

The Salem Police department has released their report for the month of September. The department responded to 10 accidents during the month. Officers also responded to four alarms sounding and addressed 45 animal calls. The department investigated four assaults or fights not in progress, performed 24 well being checks and nine area checks during the month. The department investigated 10 domestic disputes, 20 verbal disturbances, conducted 101 follow-up investigations and provided eight escorts. They investigated 11 nuisance incidents, five harassment reports, took three missing persons report, and offered assistance to three motorists. The Salem Police wrote 14 property damage reports during September, plus made 12 stealing reports and five shoplifting reports. Officers investigated five intoxicated pedestrians, 13 suspicious circumstance calls, ten suspicious person calls and 14 suspicious vehicle calls. Officers responded to seven trespassing calls and attempted to serve nine warrants in September. Officers conducted 87 traffic stops during the month. The police responded to a total of 633 in incidents in September. The average response time to calls during September was one minute and 50 seconds and the average time spent on the scene was 20 minutes and 13 seconds.

There will be a public hearing and meeting of the City of Salem Planning and Zoning Board of Commissioners tonight at 6:00 in City Hall Council Chambers at 202 North Washington. The purposes of the hearing and meeting include approval of the minutes of the August 3, 2023 meeting, and to hear public comments and consider acceptance or rejection of a request for a Conditional Use Permit at 1509 South Louise Street owned by Michael Florence. The hearing and meeting are both open to the public.

An accident happened Monday afternoon at 5:30 in Reynolds County on Highway 72 one mile west of Centerville. According to the highway patrol report, a 2010 Chevrolet Express being driven by 53 year old Vaughn Roberts of Salem was traveling east when he crossed the center line and hit head-on a 2010 Chrysler Sebring being driven west by 48 year old Andrew Bullock of Bunker. Two passengers in the Chevrolet, 33 year old Tasha Maize of Lesterville and 64 year old Michael Chitwood of Ellington both suffered moderate injuries and were taken by Washington County ambulance Iron County Medical Center. Both vehicles were totaled and removed from the scene by Aissies Towing. All involved were wearing seat restraints at the time of the accident.