Houston, MO— In just a week’s time the laboratory confirmed positive COVID-19 tests generated through the lab at TCMH grew by nearly 50, hospital board members heard from Amanda Turpin, quality director, during their monthly meeting on Tuesday.
The increase in the number of positive cases throughout the area have continued to climb in recent weeks and the laboratory staff are growing busier by the day with a consistent flow of patients utilizing their drive-thru COVID swabbing service. Almost daily, the hospital staff perform anywhere from 30-40 nasal swabs.
The hospital lab reported that 25-33 percent of the COVID tests performed are showing positive results.
Four to six weeks ago, the percent of positive tests performed at TCMH was approximately just five.
The hospital staff have been working diligently to maintain a steady surplus of COVID testing supplies for patients, especially with the uptick in positive cases in Texas County and throughout the local area.
For the month of August, the hospital lab reported a decreased revenue of $109,328, but hospital leadership is hopeful that increased patient volumes in September will turn their financial performance around in addition to several other outpatient departments.
During her COVID update to the hospital board members, Turpin mentioned that Robin Trotman, DO, infectious disease physician from CoxHealth in Springfield, spoke to the medical staff regarding the latest treatment recommendations for COVID patients, as well as “lessons learned” along the way.
Turpin mentioned that although many of the guidelines for caring for COVID patients have not changed recently, the effectiveness of many of the recommended treatments has declined.
The TCMH medical staff were very appreciative of the time that they were able to spend learning from Trotman. Trotman has treated hundreds of COVID patients this year and his knowledge is invaluable.
Turpin shared that the hospital’s task force has been working through several patient bed changes in order to provide the best care possible to COVID patients, while keeping regular patients and staff safe.
Turpin explained that many of the plans they have made for improvements going forward will occur as the needed funding falls into place.
Wes Murray, chief executive officer at TCMH, reported that the hospital has received approval for nearly $300K in CARES Act COVID relief funds from Texas County.
Murray mentioned that many of the items requested have already been ordered and many additional items are already in the works. Murray plans to meet with Texas County officials again later in the week.
“I am pleased to announce that Simmons Bank has awarded TCMH with a $2,500 grant to purchase pediatric hearing screening equipment,” Murray said. “The new equipment will give our providers the opportunity to perform the screenings in their clinics, something they have never been able to do before.”
Murray explained that the TCMH Healthcare Foundation will cover the remaining $1,644 that is not covered by the grant funds.
Murray mentioned to the hospital board members that although the Healthcare Foundation’s annual chili cook off will not take place this year, an online auction to benefit Hospice of Care is currently being developed to take its place.
“The chili cook off is the largest fundraising event for our hospice program each year,” Murray said. “We are excited for this new opportunity to raise money for hospice, even though it means everyone can’t be together in one place to do it.”
More information regarding the online auction event for Hospice of Care will be made available in October.
Linda Pamperien, chief financial officer at TCMH, presented the financial report for the month of August.
“Overall revenues were down $1,089,338 from our budgeted expectations,” Pamperien said. “Inpatient volumes were down $104,953 and outpatient revenue was down $951,263.”
Bad debt for the month of August was $428,483.20.
Pamperien reported that no additional federal CARES Act funds that the hospital received were recorded on the ledger for the month.
TCMH ended the month of August with a negative bottom line of $149,736.27 and a year-to-date loss of $1,788,264.56.
Present at the meeting were Murray; Pamperien; Doretta Todd-Willis, chief nursing officer; Rachel Davis, public relations; Turpin; Linda Milholen, MD; board members, Jim Perry, OD; Omanez Fockler; Jay Loveland and Allan Branstetter.
Board member, Steve Pierce was not present at the meeting.
The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is Tuesday, October 27 at 12 p.m. Due to current social distancing restrictions in place as a result of COVID-19, the meeting will take place via teleconference. To attend the meeting, please call (417) 967-1236 and you will be placed into the teleconference meeting.
