Hero of the Month – Michele Lowe from Medical Records was the Health Hero of the Month. She went over and beyond the call of duty for no personal gain of her own in providing assistance to a fellow employee who was in a car wreck. Michele assisted her in many of her daily living activities at home helping her not only during her time of crises but enabling her to return to work sooner.

Financial Report – YTD July 2010; for July the hospital had a gain of $188,074 and YTD gain $393,783 compared to $149,020 and $283,206 YTD last year.

The 340B Program is a government program and drug discount program that reduces cost for providing drugs for indigent care. We will implement this pharmacy program within the next month. This will provide an estimated cost reduction of $100,000.

The hospital will enter into a consulting agreement with a natural gas company which will provide savings in the purchase of natural gas for the hospital during the coming winter months. This will provide an estimated cost savings of $40,000.

The board was updated on the hospital being on time in meeting all requirements to issues bonds the $14 million loan to carry out modernization program. The hospital, the attorneys and architects are all hitting the timelines in anticipation that the bonds and loan agreement will be made by the end of November 2010. The Pre/Post Operating area in surgery awaits work to be done by Griffin Heating and Air and Rick Anthony plumbing, so that construction can begin. The two vendors Griffin and Anthony are providing services to us to have our modular buildings ready to accommodate certain educational and department management offices.

A report was delivered to the board by Misty Rogers outlining the Home Health Business plan for 2010. The board received the report outlining significant changes in financial position, especially in the accounts receivable area. Improvements in all operations and quality areas. The board commended Mrs. Rogers on her efforts and look forward to all many improvements in the future of operations and customer service excellence.

Dr. Tedesco began work at Drew Memorial Hospital as he joined the practice with Dr. Sidney Collins and will be providing coverage for the next several months in general/cosmetic surgery to all in Drew County and surrounding areas.

The board was informed that the medical staff of Drew Memorial Hospital and administration is working with Mainline Clinic through Mr. Allan Nichols to improve communications for admissions to the hospital after hours and on weekends. 

New Product Lines – The board was informed that the hospital is looking into new product lines hyperbaric chamber, lithotripsy services, and sleep center. 

The Annual Southeast Arkansas Health Foundation Charity Benefit will be held on October 5th at 6:30 pm at the Monticello County Club. All board members were encouraged to make donations to foundation which is taking proceeds from this event and donating them to the hospital to go toward the purchase of a new mammography unit.

A 64 Slice CT and Mammography Unit were approved for purchase.

Air Evac helicopter picking up car crash victim on HWY 278 East. last November. It was Drew County's first on-scene helicopter transfer.

With the news of Tuesday morning’s helicopter crash near Clinton, followed by the release of the company name, some Monticello emergency workers began to wonder if they knew the crash victims.

The medical transport company who owned the helicopter is AirEvac Lifestream, which has 9 flight bases scattered across Arkansas, and is Arkansas’ largest air ambulance service provider.

Air Evac medical helicopters and personel serve Drew County, and have been seen at events like the MADD Mock DWI presentations at both of our local schools, and also performed Drew County’s first “roadside pickup” of a crash victim last November.  Air Evac also occasionally performs emergency transfers from Drew Memorial Hospital to Little Rock.

The team that lost their lives in Tuesday’s crash worked out of the Vilonia base, and the crews that generally serve Monticello are stationed at the Camden facility; but this tragedy still gives us a reason to stop and recognize the many emergency workers (such as police, firemen, ambulance staff, and others) who’s jobs many times put them in danger, while protecting and caring for others..

Digital mammography units take X-rays to detect breast cancer early. The funds will also help purchase a work station for radiologists, biopsy equipment, and a digital laser camera to print X-ray images. This new equipment will improve detection and diagnosis of breast cancer and related conditions, and provide more convenient access to breast cancer screening for women in Southeast Arkansas.

“This investment will help ensure that women in Drew County and Southeast Arkansas have better access to mammograms,” Lincoln said. “Early diagnosis of breast cancer saves lives and is crucial to treating the disease, and I will continue working to secure funding that improves access to quality health care for patients in Arkansas.”

“Breast cancer screenings help detect cancer in its earliest stages, saving lives and shortening treatment,” Pryor said. “These federal dollars will give Drew Memorial Hospital the equipment it needs to provide patients with high quality mammograms, and that’s good for Drew County women and families.”

“The American Cancer Society emphasizes that screening exams are one of the most important steps in the early detection of breast cancer,” Ross said. “I am proud to help announce these federal funds which will provide vital equipment for Drew Memorial Hospital to improve early detection capabilities in Monticello.”

“Drew Memorial Hospital is pleased to have received this grant. The funding will assist us in expanding and improving our health care screening and diagnostic services in the area of breast care,” said Shannon Clark, Chief Financial Officer of Drew Memorial Hospital.

It was estimated that 1,820 women would be newly diagnosed with breast cancer in 2009, according to the Arkansas Department of Health. In addition, Drew County’s mortality rate for breast cancer exceeds Arkansas’s average, and fewer women in Drew County are screened for breast cancer than in other places in the state. According to the American Cancer Society, a woman’s best chances for survival are early detection through regular screening mammograms and clinical breast exams.

Installation of a new roadway will be useful when the upcoming construction project at the hospital begins later this fall.

The grant will enable fiber connections and/or bandwidth upgrades in all 75 counties and in 135 Arkansas communities, including 81 Arkansas hospitals, all two-year colleges (four-year colleges are already connected), eight public libraries, all state human development centers, the state’s trauma network, community health centers, mental health clinics and home health agencies.

For more information read the full article on MagnoliaReporter.com

MonticelloLive on Vimeo.

Mike Layfield, CEO of Drew Memorial, presented their monthly report to the Drew County Quorum Court, Monday night.

Most statistics are up this month, as compared to the same time last year, and the hospital is above their proposed budget for the year, as well.

The modernization plan was explained, complete with drawings to show the different stages of proposed future expansion (see the video, above).

Dr. John Tedesko will be filling in as staff surgeon for Dr. Sydney Collins, beginning in September.  Dr. Tadesko will also perform cosmetic surgery, as sell as general surgery.

The recent independent audit report was completed, and found no deficiencies and no materal weaknesses.

The money is designated for medical equipment, and should be available next summer.

They were honored for going over and beyond the call of duty for no personal gain. Both helped a fellow employee for several weeks while recovering from an automobile accident. Preparing food, cleaning house, taking out the trash, transporting to Wal-mart, and to/ from hospital , even walking the dog, to mention a few of the many ways they volunteered their time to assist a fellow employee in her time of need. 

Great job, Kay and Brittany.

The final audited results for the fiscal year ending March 2010 were presented. Bill Couch reported that Drew Memorial Hospital’s income from operations was $1,567,662. This is a change over reported operating income of $811,567 in 2009 and a reported operating loss of (311,850) in 2008.

The timeline for securing the financing for the Phase 1 modernization is proceeding according to plan. If all goes well the bonds will be issued and construction will begin by December 1, 2010.

New offices in the modular building are close to completion. If all goes according to plan the new pre post op area should be completed by January 1, 2011.

The County plans to begin construction of the new road coming into the hospital, which will make room for the new allied health building, within the next few weeks.

The board approved payment to all employees who are qualified for the annual performance bonus to be paid out August 6th pay roll. This will come in the form of a separate check.

The board approved a profit share payout to all qualified employees who worked at DMH in 2009 for the contribution all employees made to a very successful year. A profit sharing bonus of $100,000 to be distributed equally among those qualified employees (around $625.00 each). 

Mainline Clinic has opened for business and is providing services to those patients who have low income or no access to insurance. A meeting was held with the Mainline Clinic physician and the medical staff to discuss improved communication between Mainline and the medical staff. 

The hospital is beginning to distribute patient satisfaction surveys for the emergency room. Surveys to follow will be done in outpatient, physicians and employees. These surveys will allow the hospital to find out where satisfaction is high and any areas that may need to be improved. 

It was announced that Mr. Ray Lee is the new Director of Environmental Services. 

The board was informed that the hospital will bring a request to purchase or lease a new 64 Slice CT at the August meeting.  Also, we hope to purchase new mammography equipment in November or December.

We have a fundraising project for the mammography equipment through the hospital foundation and all employees, physicians and friends of the hospital are encouraged to make a donation which is tax deductible to the Foundation for the mammography equipment. The Foundations goal is to raise $100,000 toward the purchase of mammography equipment, with a total purchase price of $350,000.

ADH maintains records of death with causes as submitted by local officials, coroners and medical examiners around the state. No records are maintained for emergency room visits that have occurred as a result of heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Last year there were seven deaths in Arkansas from heat-related causes.

James Phillips, MD, Infectious Disease Branch Chief, said that it is very important for people to learn the signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Sometimes people don’t realize how serious this can be,” Phillips said. “We need to learn to watch out for each other when the temperature and humidity gets high and stays there for several days or more. It is very important to stay well-hydrated, and to get out of the sun to rest regularly when you are working and playing.”

Hot, humid weather can be very dangerous, even if you don’t go outside at all. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from 1979-2003, excessive heat exposure caused 8,015 deaths in the United States. While the elderly, people with health problems, and very young children are the most vulnerable, heat can affect anyone – even strong, healthy athletes can be stricken.

Several factors affect the body’s ability to cool itself during extremely hot weather. When the humidity is high, sweat will not evaporate as quickly, preventing the body from releasing heat quickly. Other conditions related to risk include age, obesity, fever, dehydration, heart disease, mental illness, poor circulation, sunburn, and prescription drug and alcohol use.

Our bodies are cooled primarily by losing heat through the skin by perspiration and evaporation. Problems occur when we are unable to shed excess heat. When our heat gain exceeds the amount we can get rid of, our temperature begins to rise and heat-related illness may develop.

Your body has an internal thermostat that is designed to help you maintain proper body temperatures. However, sometimes extreme heat can cause your thermostat to malfunction, which can result in one or more of the following conditions:

•Heat Rash. Heat rash is a skin irritation caused by excessive sweating during hot, humid weather. It can occur at any age but is most common in young children. Although heat rash occurs because of exposure to extreme heat, treating heat rash is simple and usually does not require medical assistance. Other heat-related problems such as those listed below can be much more severe.

•Heat Cramps. Heat cramps usually affect people who sweat heavily during strenuous activity. This sweating depletes the body’s salt, magnesium, and water. The low salt and magnesium levels in the muscles may be the cause of heat cramps. Heat cramps may also be a symptom of heat exhaustion.

•Heat Exhaustion. Heat exhaustion is a milder form of heat-related illness that can develop in exposure to high temperatures and inadequate or unbalanced replacement of fluids. It is the body’s response to an excessive loss of the water and salt contained in sweat. Those most prone to heat exhaustion are elderly people, people with high blood pressure, and people working or exercising in a hot environment.

•Heat Stroke. Heat stroke occurs when the body is unable to regulate its temperature. The body’s temperature rises rapidly, the sweating mechanism fails, and the body is unable to cool down. Body temperature may rise to 106°F or higher within 10 to 15 minutes. Heat stroke can cause death or permanent disability if emergency treatment is not provided.

•Heat-Related Deaths. Most heat-related deaths occur when high temperatures overcome the body’s natural ability to cope with heat. The elderly, very young children and persons with chronic medical conditions (especially cardiovascular disease) are at highest risk.

Those who work, exercise, or participate in strenuous activity, such as football practice, for an hour or more during intense heat may lose or sweat up to two quarts of water. If you must pursue intense activity during hot weather, follow these safety tips.

•Drink plenty of water; fluid replacement is crucial to avoid heat risks. Drink more water than usual before exercising or working in the heat. (If you are elderly or taking medication, ask your doctor about fluid intake recommendations.)

•Schedule your strenuous activity during the coolest time of the day.

•Monitor how you feel. If you have difficulty maintaining your regular pace, slow down.

For more information, see our Heat Survival Kit at http://www.healthy.arkansas.gov/programsServices/communications/features/Pages/Heat.aspx

Contact: Office of Health Communications

Ed Barham, 501-280-4147