Local News – Wednesday, July 18th, 2018
The Dent County 4-H and FFA Expo begins TODAY at The Commons with the 4-H Exhibit judging this morning at 10:00. The Dessert Auction will be held this evening at 6:00 at the Youth Building at The Commons. On Thursday, the livestock registration will be held from 9:30 until 11:30 with weigh-ins beginning at 12:30. The Achievement Day events will be held starting at 5:00 followed by the evening entertainment that will include a number of family games. Friday will be a day full of shows starting with the Hog Show at 7:00 in the morning. In the afternoon, the sheep/goat show will start at 1:30 to be followed by the small animal show at 3:00 and the beef/dairy show beginning at 4:00. Later that night, it will be “movie night” and the Dent County Fire Truck will also be on the grounds. On Saturday, the 21st, the FFA Tractor pull will start at 9:00 in the morning with the 4-H and Market Sale starting at 1:00 at the livestock barn. The auction will be carried live on KSMO Radio and online at ksmoradio.com. The event will also be recorded for a later broadcast on Fidelity Local 6 and HD406. There are no gate fees for any of the events and the public is welcome to attend.
An accident happened Tuesday morning at 10:03 in Dent County on Highway 72 in Bunker. According to the highway patrol report, a 2015 Chrysler 200, driven by 29-year old Celestial Vandiver of Bloomfield, Missouri, crossed the center line and struck a 2003 Ford F-350 driven by 23-year old Robert Albertson of Ironton. Vandiver suffered minor injuries and was transported to Salem Memorial District Hospital by Reynolds County EMS. The report stated that both drivers were wearing their safety restraints at the time of the accident. Both vehicles sustained extensive damage. The Chrysler was removed from the scene by Whitaker’s Towing, while the Ford was removed by Hill’s Metals and Motors.
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met for the regular meeting Tuesday evening at the hospital library. Chief Financial Officer Monica Stogsdill gave the summary of operations for June that showed a gain from operations of $112,130 with an excess of revenues over expenses of $115,380 for the month. For the fiscal year starting July 1st, 2017 and ending June 30th, 2018, the hospital had a gain from operations of $543,060 and an excess of revenues over expenses of $1,043,178. In June, 68 patients were admitted to the hospital as the acute care patients per day for June came in at 8.8. The cash flow statement showed an increase in cash of $74,016 for the month with days in accounts receivable shooting at 63. Chief Nursing Officer Debbie Hines reported during the month there were 740 emergency room visits, 223 ambulance runs with 157 patients being transported to the hospital, 23 surgery services, 1,462 outpatient registrations, 241 home health visits, 7,007 lab tests, 1,017 radiological procedures and 561 rehab treatments. The days cash-on-hand for the hospital stands at 89 year-to-date and that is way over the Critical Access Hospital state average of 65. Hines went over the Emergency Department Transfer Communication Hospital Report that showed improvement in two areas and a slight reduction in two others for the 2nd quarter. Chief Operating Officer Chris Strickland reported on the hospital foundation and that a 501c3 Non-Profit Corporation has been formed and will be doing business as the SMDH Foundation. He said the Articles of Incorporation have been filed with the state and the board will have to ratify the by-laws at the next meeting. He also said the IRS Form 1023 will be mailed by Friday. Strickland said the hospital has been involved in numerous community events including the 4th of July parade, trash pick-up day on July 13th, the Intercounty Electric Picnic on June 29th and they will be at the Salem 4-H and FFA Livestock Auction this week. The board reviewed the quarterly patient satisfaction surveys for the Emergency Department and the Family Medicine Clinic. A total of 209 surveys were received for the E.D. and all responses were at 97% or above, while 62 responses came in for Family Medicine and all categories came back at 95% or above for satisfaction. At the Chief of Staff’s report, the radiologists for USA Radiology, the new company hired by the hospital, were approved for courtesy staff privileges. A strategic planning meeting will be held October 19th through the 21st, and the public tax rate hearing will be held August 21st before the next regular board meeting at 5:45. The board will review a purchases policy update to bring them more in line with industry standards and that will be discussed at the next meeting. Strickland announced the new mammography machine has arrived and it has been installed. Training begins July 24th and patients are being scheduled now. Strickland reports the hospital has contracted with Britney Christesen, DC to be the Salem R-80 Athletics “Team Doctor.” She will attend the games and will provide medical assessments, training, taping and more. Jason Edwards will provide a sports nutrition program and the SMDH Physical Therapy will provide guidelines for the concussion protocols. The board approved the purchase of an Endo Drying Cabinet from Steris Corporation for $8,134 before electing new officers for the next fiscal year. The new Chairman is Sue Terry with George Gruendel as Vice-Chairman and Dennis Fiebelman as Secretary. The board then went into closed session.
The Doe Run Company recently donated $5,000 to the Southwest Baptist University (SBU) Salem Campus. Doe Run has supported SBU’s Salem Campus every year over the last decade, and this year’s donation to SBU’s newly established licensed practical nursing program helps bring health care to rural communities.