Madison Medical Center Board of Trustees Meeting

The Madison Medical Center Board of Trustees met at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 11, 2012, for their regular monthly meeting.  The following board members were present:    Kent Marler, Ruth Ann Skaggs, Larry Hunt, Denny Ward, and Connie Matthews.    MMC staff present:  Lisa Twidwell, Administrator/CEO; Jennifer Penuel, COO; Allan Sucharski, CFO; Cindy Dulaney, Acute Care DON; Kristen Starkey, Nursing Home DON; Carol Hyatt, Physician Office Manager; Maureen Medley, Administrative Assistant.   

There were 445 patients seen in the E.R. during June.  There were 21 surgery cases and seven air transports from the hospital.  Two surgery nurses will be attending an oncology class on August 9th  and 10th.  The Director of Nursing’s office will be relocating within the next couple of months.  The Pharmacy Department will be moving into this space, which is where it was previously located, and the DON’s office will move to the Pharmacy’s present location.  This move is taking place so the Pharmacy will be able to add equipment needed for chemotherapy treatments.

During June there were four new admissions to the nursing home, three re-admissions, three discharges, and five deaths.  

Installation of the Wanderguard system in the nursing home began July 9, and staff members are receiving training to become familiar with how it operates. Stockhoff Memorial Nursing Home will receive a visit August 15 from Sam Plaster, who is the State Culture Change Coordinator.  He is employed by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, and he is visiting nursing homes throughout the state to learn what they are doing to implement culture change in their facilities. Plaster will take pictures and interview residents and staff members. This information will then be posted on his blog.

There were 277 Home Health visits and 2,119 in-home service units provided during June.  

There were 1,459 Rural Health Clinic visits and 223 Outpatient Clinic visits during June.  There were two sleep studies performed during the month.  MMC employees helped deliver 34 meals at the Senior Center.  Dr. Eric Davis performed 100 free sports physicals for Madison and Iron County athletes.  Jessica Stacy, FNP, did 23 sports physicals for the  Mineral Area Football League.  Dr. Manchanda, the pain management specialist who began seeing patients in MMC’s outpatient clinic last month, is scheduled to return July 20.  A new cardiologist, Dr. Mark Friedman, will begin seeing patients at MMC on July 17th.  MMC staff members will assist with the Back to School Fair on July 27th by performing scoliosis and head lice screenings.

 June 18th – 22nd  was MMC Employee Celebration Week.  Over 100 employees took advantage of the free health screenings (Cholesterol, Blood Sugar, PSA and Vitamin D) which were offered on Monday – Thursday from 7:00 – 9:30 a.m.  On Wednesday, June 20th, there was a catered lunch from The Branding Iron, and on Friday, June 22nd, the Employee Recognition Reception was  held.  Years of Service pins were awarded to employees, and refreshments were served.  MMC was a sponsor for the American Red Cross Blood Drive on June 14th  at the Faith Family Worship Center (across from the Fredericktown High School), and also served as a sponsor for the 4th of July Chamber event.  On Wednesday, August 15th, health screenings will be done for Fredericktown R-1 employees. MMC information and give-away items are included in the Cordial Caravan Welcome packets that are given to newlyweds, new parents, and those who are new to the community.  Cindy Dulaney, Acute Care DON, is a volunteer at the Domestic Violence Shelter.  MMC employees continue to help deliver meals at the Senior Center every Wednesday.   Jennifer Penuel is now a Chamber of Commerce ambassador, and Sue Tomlinson is a Chamber of Commerce board member.

 MMC has entered into a partnership with the R-1 School District for a Career Exploration Class.  Two students will be placed in MMC’s Dietary Department and two in the Activity Department.  The students will receive credit hours for the time they work.  This is the first year for the program, which is headed by Anna Berkbuegler.

MMC’s Radiology and Mammography Departments both received deficiency-free surveys on July 10th.

Tammy Stricklan will replace Karen Blair, who is retiring, as MMC’s Food Service Manager.

The Board reviewed the strategic planning results for April – June 2012.

The MMC Home Health Agency’s annual survey was conducted in June.

The fact that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obama Care, is a valid law, was discussed.  It will be up to each state to decide whether or not they will participate in mandating that everyone must purchase health insurance.  This decision will have an effect on hospital reimbursements, since states that elect not to participate will not receive federal funds.

The Board approved a proposal, presented by Nan Allgier, Laboratory Manager, to lease a new  blood gas analyzer from Fisher-Abbott.  The new analyzer will greatly reduce the cost of performing many of the tests that are performed in MMC’s lab.

The Board approved a bid from Rich Shoemake for the construction of a loading dock for the Purchasing Department.

Equipment needs for the Oncology Clinic that MMC is starting with the assistance of Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau, were reviewed by the Board.  The purchase of a chemotherapy isolator hood and a pharmacy refrigerator were approved by the Board.

The purchase of a used C-arm for the Pain Management Clinic also received Board approval.

The East Wing Nursing Home Renovation Project was discussed, but no decision was reached on whether or not the Hospital should proceed with the project at this time.  It was agreed to table the matter until next month.

The Board approved E.R. privileges for four E.R. physicians from Emergency Medical Care (Philip R. Brackett, D.O., David R. Meece, M.D., Monika M. Prost, M.D., and Jamal A. Zereik, M.D.), two allied health professionals (Marsha D. Beckham, O.D. and Shawn M. Haferkamp, O.D.) and one CRG radiologist (Derek Lee Fimmen, M.D.).

The next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on Wednesday, August 8, 2012, at 9:00 a.m. in the Dr. Slaughter Memorial Building.