From MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

During the hospital report to the quorum court, Monday night, Mike Layfield, DMH CEO, gave an update on the Washington trip.

Baskets are on display at the hospital. Tickets are just 50 cents each, and are available from Stephanie Norris in the DMH Administration office, and from Memorie Dickson and Katrina Hammock.

The drawing for the baskets will be held on April 2nd in conjunction with a hamburger cookout. Tickets for the cookout are $5 each, and include a hamburger, baked beans, french fries, a drink and all the trimmings. Free deliveries will be made to companies that order 10 or more lunches.

To pre-order a hamburger plate, contact Memorie Dickson at 460-3560 or Stephanie Norris at 460-3539.

Members of Drew Memorial Hospital’s Relay for Life Team include, from left: Erica Jones, Stephanie Norris, Katrina Hammock, Barbara Barnes, Karen Donaldson and Rhonda Brown.

“When following up with a patient who had been recently discharged from the hospital, Leslie discovered that the patient had very little food and had no one to buy groceries for him,” stated Keith Van Dee, Human Resources Director. “She also learned that he did not have enough money for the medication that he needed. Leslie purchased the medicine and delivered groceries to his home.”

Searcy was presented a plaque and a check for $100 in recognition of her service to the hospital at the February board meeting.

The exercise involved emergency preparedness planners from hospitals, as well as state and local agencies, who were given an opportunity to evaluate current response concepts, plans, and capabilities for responding to a natural disaster. The drill focused on key local responder coordination, critical decision making, and integration of the state and federal assets necessary to save lives and protect the public following a natural disaster, such as a tornado.

According to Drew Memorial Hospital CFO Shannon Clark, preparedness has been a priority for quite some time. “We want to be ready for whatever comes,” stated Clark. “We take the exercises very seriously. Every time we are given an opportunity to participate, we come away feeling more prepared than we were before.”

YTD February 2010 – Financial Report: For February 2010, the Hospital had a gain in revenue of $249,902 and a year to date gain of $1,048,559 for 2010.

Building Modernization: The plans for the USDA loan are coming along, and have been approved. DMH is currently conducting a financial feasibility study for the USDA loan.

Washington DC Trip: Michael Layfield has been at “Capitol Hill” in Washington DC the past couple of days. This has become a yearly trip for the Twenty for the Future group. In Washington DC, Michael Layfield has been able to meet with Senator Blanch Lincoln and Senator Mark Pryor. Michael presented the Senators with some of our Equipment needs:
1. Electronic Medical Record (EMR) – $800,000
2. Nurse Call System – $600,000
3. Mammogram – $400,000
4. CT Scanner 64 Slice – $640,000
5. Emergency Room Telemetry System – $135,000
6. Operating Room Scopes – $50,000
7. Operating Room Steam Sterilization – $50,000
8. Computer Radiology Reader $41,000
9. Brachial Index Vascular Machine $35,000
10. Anesthesia Monitoring Machine – $35,000

They have also applied for these items under an Appropriations Grant for 2011. Michael Layfield continues to work hard every day on getting Drew Memorial Hospital new and much needed equipment.

The Board welcomed Memorie Dickson to the DMH team. Memorie will be working to raise money for the Foundation and promote Drew Memorial Hospital.

Electronic Dictation System: The board approved the purchase of a new Electronic Dictation System in the amount of $8,942.50. This system will replace our current system that the doctors use to call in and dictate their charts.

Neoprobe: The board approved the purchase of a new Neoprobe in the amount of $35,160.32. Dr. Collins will be able to use the Neoprobe to conduct new services for the citizens of Drew County and surrounding areas.

Report includes informatio from DMH newswletter, presented by Stephanie Norris, Shannon Clark, and Keith Van Dee.

There will be a Retirement Party held in Karon’s honor on Friday, February 19, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at the Home Health Office of Drew Memorial Hospital, which is located at 821 Hwy 278 East in Monticello. All friends, coworkers, former employees, and associates of Karon’s are invited to attend.

During the hospital report to the quorum court, Monday night,, Mike Layfield, DMH CEO, announced profits were up due to the dedicated physicians and employees.

The Hospital also found out that they are eligible for $12 million in U.S.D.A. loans for their new building. The new building is expected to cost $14 million in phase one and an additional $8 million in phase two. The Hospital expects it will spend $40 million over the next five years for total modernization.

If all goes according to plans, they could break ground as early as September or October.

1. High flavanoids found in dark chocolate can help your heart,
2. You’ll feel calmer instantly.
3. You won’t have chocolate cravings all day or week
4. Chocolate can reduce your blood pressure.
5. You’ll feel happier; and might just improve your social life.
6. You’ll improve your memory and brain function.

For December 2009, the Hospital had a gain in revenue of $117,909 and a year to date gain of $798,556 for 2009.

Hospital administration and the hospital architects, continue to work on the USDA loan and for the planned, $14 million modernization. The forecast for approval is expected in the next few months. They are purchasing well over $1 million in equipment; some of this will qualify for 15% grant money.

Capital Equipment List –The equipment list of well over $1 million was reviewed by the board that the hospital is in process of purchasing on its own or through grant money. In addition a list of equipment was reviewed, that the MEDC will carry to Washington late next month, totaling well over $2 million.  The hospital has major capital equipment needs and is exploring every program possible to assist in funding their needs.

Board officer election was held and named Jim Searcy president, Kelly Koonce vice president, and Mike Ward secretary.

The hospital, medical staff, and surgical department, are looking into, a possible renovation of the current surgery area to provide 6-8 Pre/Post operations beds in a recovery area. As preliminary drawings and a cost amount is arrived at, the board and medical staff will be updated, and a decision will be made regarding the possible renovation and creation of a pre/post operative area. 

The board received a report of the latest, inpatient satisfaction survey results. The results from the survey were excellent in the areas of courtesy and customer services satisfaction. 

There was an executive session held with no action taken to be reported.

Irma had asked earlier if she could take off for a couple of hours at lunchtime to attend a meeting in Warren.  After her meeting was over, Irma stopped in Wilmar at the patients house tu draw her blood so she could have her labwork done on time and did not have to get out while she was ill.

Irma cared enough about the patient to notice that his wife was not with him, and stopped and drew the patients blood on her own time without being prompted to do so.

 That is why Irma Brunson has been named as the DMH Health Hero for January 2010