News
The Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors met Tuesday evening for the audit report and regular meeting. After the audit report presentation by Eddie Marmouget of BK&D, Hospital Administrator Dennis Pryor gave the summary of operations for the month of September that showed that there were only 49 patients admitted to the hospital for care and another 1,534 outpatient registrations. Because of the numbers, inpatient and outpatient revenues were below budget and the previous year resulting in a loss from operations of $226,418, and an excess of expenses over revenues of $222,638. Although there was loss from operations during the month, the cash flow statement shows that cash did increase during the month by $73,330 and days in accounts receivable remained steady at 51. During the month, there were 849 emergency room visits with the average turnaround time of 117 minutes. There were 168 ambulance runs with 158 patients being assessed, 21 surgery cases, 124 home health visits, 8,598 lab tests, 928 radiological procedures, 148 CT scans, 20 MRI scans, 22 nuclear med scans, 446 rehab treatments, 197 dialysis treatments and 341 clinical visits. Hospital Administrator Dennis Pryor did indicate that the hospital would be reimbursed about $800,000 from the Electronic Medical Conversion Phase 1 completion and attestation. Director of Nursing Carol Lacy left a report on the fungal meningitis that has been in the news and there are no cases in Missouri. Dr. Demorlis indicated that the type of procedure that has infected people is not used at the Salem Hospital. The in-patient call light report was discussed and it showed that there was an average of 27 call lights per day for the third quarter of the year with a response time of 2:23. The report indicated that staff was present 6 minutes and 39 seconds per event, and were present about 5 hours and 7 minutes with a patient every day. Pryor said that work began on the lagoon on October 15th. The board reviewed the Emergency Room Patient results that indicated high marks in all areas from the 175 responses received for the third quarter. The inpatient satisfaction results for the 25 responses received showed good to excellent marks in all areas. The board then reviewed the SMDH Family Medicine patient survey results, the SMDH Family Health Care Survey results and RHC Patient Survey Results. All categories came back in the 98 to 100% satisfaction range. Pryor stated that the Hospice Project planning has been postponed until November 30th and work continues on the Foundation Program to be ready for approval in the summer of 2013. Carol Lacy, the project manager for the Community Health Needs Assessment, has put together her 12-person committee and they will be gathering data and analyzing it as well as prioritizing the information. After those steps, they will put together an interventional plan and disseminate the findings to the community in June of 2013. The plan will have to be implemented in 2014. With no purchases during the month, the board then went into closed session.
An accident occurred on Thursday, October 18th at 12:21 in the afternoon on Highway 32 at Highway HH in Salem. According to the Salem Police report, a 2008 International Durastarr driven by Thomas Smith of Maryland Heights was traveling east approaching Highway HH while a 2009 Ford Fusion driven by Alys Brown of Salem and a 1997 Pontiac Trans Sport driven by Lonnie Hall of Licking had started to travel east after the signal turned green. The International failed to slow down and collided with the rear the Ford. The contact caused the Ford to make contact with the Pontiac. Brown and a passenger in the Pontiac were transported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital with probable but not apparent injuries. The International Durastarr and Pontiac Trans Sport sustained moderate damage, and the Ford Fusion sustained extensive damage.
The Salem Police Department released their reports for the start of October. On Wednesday, October 3rd at 10:27 in the evening, an officer, while conducting a narcotics investigation in the 300 block of East Third, found that a 26-year old Salem male was in possession of amphetamine. He was taken into custody and incarcerated pending the application for warrants. The next afternoon at 4:32, an officer was dispatched to the Casey’s General Store on Highway 32 in reference to a theft of fuel. The investigation revealed that an unknown male pumped $49.64 in fuel and left without paying. At 6:50 that evening, an officer was dispatched to the Southeast Community Treatment Center in reference to a disturbance. That investigation led to the arrest of a 35-year old Salem male for disorderly conduct, an open beer container, assault, and resisting arrest. He was issued a summons to appear in court and was incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. On Friday, October 5th at 8:27 in the evening, an officer was detailed to a residence in the 100 block of South Macarthur in reference to someone screaming. The investigation led to the arrest of an intoxicated 26-year old Salem female for disorderly conduct. She was issued a summons to appear in court and incarcerated on a 12-hour hold. On Saturday, October 6th at 1:50 in the morning, a vehicle was stopped for a traffic violation. The investigation of the stop led to the arrest of a 51-year old Salem female for driving while intoxicated. She was issued a summons to appear in court and released. Anyone with information regarding the theft of fuel may call the Salem Police Department at 729-4242.
The Spring Creek Artisans will be hosting Pumpkin Day on Saturday, October 27th from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Bonebrake Center of Nature and History located at 601 North Hickory Street in Salem. The show features a wide variety of quality-handcrafted arts and crafts. You will find woodcarving and turning, basket making, quilting, knitting, felting, pottery, painting, drawings, jewelry, photography and much more. There will be food available; mask making for the kids and a free professionally carved pumpkin door prize. There will also be Christmas themed items for the early holiday shoppers. New members are also welcome.
Sports [TOP]
The Salem Tiger football team will face Logan-Rogersville in the first round of District play tonight at 7:00 at the Salem High School Football Field. Admission to the game will be $5.00 per person six years of age and older, and no passes will be allowed. You can hear the game on KSMO Radio, online at ksmoradio.com, and can be seen online at fidelitylocal6.com.
Pablo Sandoval tied a World Series record by socking three home runs as the Giants gained the upper hand in the 2012 Fall Classic with a convincing 8-3 win over the Detroit Tigers in Game 1 from AT&T Park. The third baseman, who finished 4-for-4 with four RBI, joins some very select company, with Babe Ruth, Reggie Jackson and Albert Pujols the only ones to previously accomplish the feat. Game 2 of the World Series will be held tonight at AT&T Park with first pitch scheduled for 7:07.
Obituaries [TOP]
Funeral services for Edith Virginia Schroeder of Cook Station, age 72, will be Friday at 1:00 at the James and Gahr Mortuary in St. James. Visitation will be tonight from 6:00 to 8:00. Memorials are suggested to the Edith Schroeder Family.
Weather [TOP]
