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The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors held their regular monthly meeting Thursday evening at the hospital library. Dr. Ryan Pharr gave the Chief of Staffs Report and a report on the medical staff meeting held on March 21^st. The medical staff reviewed the summary of operations, statistics and director of nursing report as well as the strategic planning and transaction turnaround report. Hospital Comptroller Stephanie Wofford presented the summary of operations for the month of February that showed 1,519 outpatients registered during the month with 735 people using the emergency room. For the month, the hospital showed an excess of revenues over expenses after tax revenues of $292,242. For the year, the hospital shows an excess of revenues over expenses of $325,946. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy gave her report and there were 70 acute care patients admitted, 735 ER visits, 35 surgery cases, 152 Home Health visits, 8,792 lab tests, 993 radiological procedures, 209 CT scans, 16 MRI scans, 10 nuclear med scans, 351 rehab treatments, 190 dialysis treatments and 323 clinical visits. Hospital Administrator Dennis Pryor gave the Hospital Auxiliary report and their next fundraiser will be the Masquerade Jewelry Sale on April 7 and 8 at the Dent County Fire Station.  In the construction update, Pryor stated that the Social Services department has now been moved. Casey Lucas gave an update on the progress with the Electronic Medical Records and things are on track.  Pryor explained that hospital attorney Mark Weaver was reviewing the bylaws and tax-exempt status for the Foundation Program.  He then reported that the Council for a Healthy Dent County, a local non-profit group, has asked that the hospital serve as fiscal agent for a Missouri Foundation for Health grant that they were writing to build a walking trail around the Salem Upper Elementary School.  This request was approved.   The board approved the budgeted purchase of a task stool for the Pharmacy from Automated Business Systems for $241; two Toughbook Computers for Acute Care from PC Connection for $5,248 and a concrete saw for maintenance from Donald Farm and Lawn for $1,000.  They also approved the non-budgeted purchase two laundry cards from Medline for $434; two computers for Information Systems for $600 from ABS; a wall mount thermometer for Surgery from Owens & Minor for $174; a copier/fax for Information Systems for $371 from SHI and four wireless clocks for Surgery from Primex for $486.  The also approved CPSI Modules for Information Systems for the Electronic Medical Records upgrade for $80,365 with a 10% down payment of $8,038. This purchase will come from the 2011/2012 budget. The board then went into closed session.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol released their reports involving arrests made in Dent County this past week. On Monday, March 21^st at 3:00 in the afternoon, 24-year old Mason Bolerjack of Salem was arrested on a misdemeanor Dent County warrant for fraud-insufficient funds. He was taken to the Dent County Jail. On Thursday, March 24^th at 10:17 in the morning, 44-year old Charles Miriani of Salem was arrested on a felony Texas County warrant for child molestation and failure to register as a sex offender in Dent County. He was taken to the Dent County jail. Later that night at 8:35, 41- year old Jettie Venker of Licking was arrested on a felony Sweetwater County (Wyoming) warrant for failure to appear, no valid driver’s license, no proof of insurance, and no seat belt. He was taken to the Dent County jail. On Saturday, March 26^th at 12:11 in the morning, 18-year old Dallas Agers of Salem was arrested for a DWI (drugs). He was taken to the Dent County jail and was later released.

An accident occurred at 5:45 Friday morning in Reynolds County on Route J about two miles west of Black. According to the highway patrol report, a 2005 Mercury driven eastbound by 53-year old Kenny Hackworth of Boss, traveled off the right side of the roadway and struck an embankment. Hackworth suffered minor injuries and sought his own treatment. He was wearing a seat restraint at the time of the accident. The Mercury sustained moderate damage, but was removed from the scene by the owner.

Attorney General Chris Koster said that Billie Jo Guerra of Dent County has been found guilty of 1^st degree endangering the welfare of a child. Reynolds County Judge Kelly Parker heard the case on a change of venue. Koster said evidence presented at trial established that Guerra was present when her boyfriend, Timmy Lynn Chandler, shook her 15-month-old daughter, causing permanent brain damage to the child.  Guerra failed to stop Chandler from shaking the baby, nor did she report the incident to authorities or seek prompt medical attention for her daughter. Chandler pled guilty to child abuse in 2008 and is serving a seven-year sentence. Koster said Guerra will be sentenced on May 10^th and faces up to seven years in prison. 

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