Please be advised that effective January 3, 2012, Dr. John Tedesco will be closing his medical practice at Drew Professional Services, 750 H L Ross Drive, Monticello, Arkansas.

His medical records will be available at that address upon written request. However, if you wish to leave your medical records at Drew Professional Services, they will be happy to maintain them for you. If you have questions, please feel free to call (870) 367-3922.

Tyrone was selected from eleven other monthly Health Hero’s honored throughout the year at the DMH board meetings. Tyrone was caught in the act of going above and beyond the call of duty by providing basic personal hygiene items to our patients to assist them in their transition back home. Tyrone is always smiling and having a good time while assisting our patients.

Tyrone has been named numerous times by our patients for providing excellent customer service with a tremendous positive attitude.

Each month, the Health Hero is awarded $100 and a plaque. In addition to Tyrone, each of our monthly Health Hero’s should also be recognized for their contributions “going over and beyond the call of duty” and “providing a service with no thought of personal gain”.

Let Tyrone Smith’s example be your inspiration and remember “that in every person. A hero is waiting to be unleashed”. The main goal at Drew Memorial Hospital is customer service excellence! So, “serve, serve well, serve others above yourself and be happy to serve with a positive attitude”! We have big dreams at Drew Memorial Hospital, dreams of being the leader in quality healthcare services and excellence in customer satisfaction.

I leave you with this thought, “you are the change that you dream, I am the change that I dream, and as “a team” we are the change that our community needs, improving the health and wellbeing of our community, improving lives of everyone that we come in contact with, each and every day……as you are all hero’s”!

Have a great week and don’t forget to buckle up.

For the month of September the hospital had a gain of $105,027 and YTD a gain of $358,434, compared to $303,546 and $959,316 YTD last year. The hospital had 204 acute admissions for the month compared to 191 last year. YTD inpatient surgery is 231 compared to 251 last year or a decrease of 8% for last year. YTD outpatient surgery is 745 compared to 647 last year for an increase of 15% from last year. YTD Home Health visits are 10,194 compared to 9,134 last year and a budget of 9,360.

DMH continues to make progress with electric health record and specific focus is being placed on improving the physician satisfaction component of the electronic health record. Plans are being made to improve charting in the physician notes area. In addition, the hospital expects payment from the federal government that will assist in deferring the cost in implementing the electronic health record within the next month or so.

FF&E Cost Estimate Phase 1: The furniture, furnishing and equipment for the new building modernization, which includes the new inpatient room addition and the Allied Health Building total is $1,754, 325. After consideration of the contingencies account, change orders, pending change orders, and credits along with money from the Foundation and Trauma grant the FF&E total cost will be over budget by approximately $216,000. 

The construction program remains on track. We should be able to occupy the buildings in mid- January to begin placing equipment in it and we should be able to open the patient wing in mid-February and the new Allied Health Building middle of March.

There was a discussion held regarding the surgery center and all sources of income remain on track to come from the electronic health record, 501(c)(3) conversation, millage extension and potential Medicaid health record funding.

It was reported that the  Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation Charity Fundraiser was a success, but an exact amount has not been totaled. It is estimated to be in the $35,000 range.

Delta Counseling Reduction in Services:
1. A meeting was held with Delta Counseling representatives and it was found that Delta Counseling will be available to provide psychiatric consultants on any patient over 18 years of age that has no ability to pay for services.
2. Delta Counseling will provide to Drew Memorial Hospital physicians or case managers telephone consultations for any patient that they need advice on when discharging inpatients. The service will be available 24/7. The number to call is 1-870-367-2461.
3. Delta Counseling will not be able to provide services for any patients regardless of their ability to pay or not pay if they have an alcoholic, drug addiction, or are mentally handicap. Delta Counseling will be available to any patient 18 years or older that has no ability to pay, who has drug, alcoholic and mental issues presenting in the emergency room, only if they are able to participate in an interview without impairment to their cognitive or communication skills resulting from use of drugs, alcohol or medication. The reason that Delta Counseling has had to limit their coverage is due to funding cut backs. The hospital is pursuing other mental health facilities that will be able to assist in the areas where Delta Counseling will not be available.

It was announced that Kim Ray, instructor of nurse education for UAM, will be the new director of education for Drew Memorial Hospital, effective mid-December.

Luann Napier has contacted administration regarding the potential of her opening a practice of OBGYN i n2014.

It was discussed that new contracts are under development and administration will be seeking approval of these contracts in the coming months. They are: 1. Julia Nicholson – Family Practice to begin in 2012. 2. Dr. Morris- Radiologist. 3. Dr. Masood-Hematology/Oncology. 4. May’s Assoc-Sleep Center.

Cassi Bazar was our October Health Hero. Cassi works in our ER and has been at our hospital for about 2 ½ years. Cassi went over and beyond the call of duty seeking no personal gain to help another person. A patient was in the emergency room and was in need of shoes and socks. Cassi went out and purchased him a pair of tennis shoes and some new socks. This shows great compassion, courtesy, and concern. 

Bobby Sawyer works in our maintenance department and also works for the Monticello Fire Department. Bobby was recently voted “Fireman of the Year”. The board recognized Bobby for his outside accomplishment; it is not often that one of our own employees are recognized for services provided to our community. Bobby was given a plaque of recognition and honor from the board.

DMH wishes to express their appreciation to all of the Hospital Auxiliary for their dedication to the patients of Drew Memorial Hospital.