(The following is a press release from Texas County Memorial Hospital.)
Houston, MO— Texas County Memorial Hospital (TCMH) recently completed more than $550,000 in grant-funded capital investments, board members heard at their monthly meeting on Tuesday.
Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer, reported on the capital projects that were completed noting that they help TCMH enhance patient care and improve patient safety. The projects also advancing technology available at the hospital.
The Omnicell automated medication dispensing system was funded through a Missouri Department of Public Safety grant and totaled $282,895. TCMH was responsible for a 30 percent match of $84,868 to receive the grant. The advanced medication management system helps improve medication safety by providing secure storage, accurate tracking, and more efficient access to medications for nursing staff. The new technology in the Omnicell supports a safer medication process, reducing the potential for medication errors, allowing caregivers more time focusing on direct patient care.
The new Nihon Kohden patient monitoring system was funded through a Delta Regional Authority (DRA) grant and totaled $255,070. TCMH was responsible for a 10 percent match of $25,507 to be eligible for the grant. The upgraded monitoring technology allows care teams to more closely observe patients’ vital signs and clinical conditions, providing timely information that supports faster recognition of changes in a patient’s health status.
TCMH also purchased a new obstetrics warmer for $19,000, a capital investment that was not funded by a grant. The infant warmer provides a safe, temperature-controlled environment for newborns immediately after delivery, supporting essential newborn care and helping maintain a stable body temperature during those critical first moments of life.
“These investments are important for our patients, providers and staff,” Bridges said. “The technology and equipment we are adding allow our caregivers to provide safer, more efficient and more advanced care close to home. Through grant opportunities and careful planning, we are able to continue improving healthcare services for the families we serve.”
Bridges also announced that TCMH was awarded a $100,000 feasibility grant from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services to evaluate the development of a rural family medicine residency program.
The one-year project will assess the hospital’s ability to host medical students and potentially expand future physician recruitment opportunities.
“Developing future healthcare professionals in rural communities is an important part of addressing physician shortages,” Bridges said. “This feasibility study will allow us to explore how TCMH can play a role in training future family medicine physicians while strengthening access to care for the patients we serve.”
Bridges reported that TCMH successfully completed its annual state-required disaster preparedness exercise, which included a mass casualty incident drill involving multiple agencies throughout Texas County. The exercise brought together the Texas County Emergency Response Team, TCMH EMS, Texas County 911, Cabool Fire Department, Houston Fire Department and Houston Police Department to evaluate emergency response plans, communication processes and coordination among agencies during a mass casualty event.
Mass casualty exercises provide an opportunity for healthcare organizations and community partners to practice their roles and identify areas for improvement before an actual emergency occurs.
“One of the best ways to prepare for these types of events is to train together, communicate and develop a coordinated response plan before a crisis happens,” Bridges said. “We appreciate the dedication and partnership of all the agencies involved in helping ensure Texas County is prepared to respond when our communities need us most.”
Bridges shared that Mark Peebles, PA, joined the TCMH Medical Office Complex in Houston on July 6. Peebles sees patients of all ages, and same day appointments are available by contacting the TCMH Medical Office Complex – Same Day Appointments, which is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Bridges also announced that Sabera Shabnam, MD, a family medicine physician, has joined TCMH as a part-time hospitalist, further strengthening the hospital’s provider team and inpatient care services. In this role, Dr. Shabnam provides care for hospitalized patients, working closely with nursing staff, specialists and other members of the healthcare team to coordinate treatment plans and support safe transitions of care.
“Recruiting physicians to rural communities continues to be a priority for TCMH,” Bridges said. “Having dedicated hospitalist coverage strengthens the care we provide to our inpatients and ensures our patients have access to experienced providers while they are in the hospital.”
Bridges provided an update on the hospital’s participation in the Delta Regional Authority program, which is nearing completion. Through the three-year program, TCMH received approximately $150,000 in grant funding to support computer equipment, technology upgrades, leadership development, supervisor training and employee engagement initiatives.
As part of the hospital’s continued focus on employee engagement and workplace improvement, Bridges announced that an employee engagement survey will be conducted in August. The survey will provide employees an opportunity to share feedback, identify strengths and highlight opportunities for continued improvement across the organization.
“Our employees are the foundation of the care we provide,” Bridges said. “Their feedback is critical in helping us understand what we are doing well and where we can continue to improve as an organization.”
April Crites, TCMH quality and risk management director, shared second-quarter Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement (QAPI) highlights with the board.
The Licking Clinic reduced patient chart errors by more than 10 percent through continued chart audits and staff education. In addition, no catheter-associated urinary tract infections were reported during 124 Foley catheter days on the Medical-Surgical Unit, Swing Bed and Intensive Care Unit. The obstetrics department achieved 100 percent compliance with postpartum hemorrhage risk assessments during the second quarter, improving from 95 percent compliance in the first quarter.
“Our quality improvement efforts are driven by our commitment to providing safe, reliable care for every patient,” Crites said. “These results reflect the dedication of our staff and the ongoing focus on identifying opportunities to improve patient outcomes.”
Linda Pamperien, TCMH chief financial officer, presented the June financials, which reflected an increase of $104,646 in overall revenues from budgeted monthly expectations.
“Our outpatient revenue increased $573,778, a 7.1 percent increase and our inpatient revenue decreased $334,006, a 24 percent decrease from our budgeted monthly expectations,” Pamperien said.
According to Pamperien, the hospital had 77 admissions in June, down 47 admissions from the same time frame in 2025, with 504 admissions year-to-date. Monthly operating expenses also decreased by $289,387, or 7.1 percent, compared to budget.
The financial report reflected a negative bottom line for June, with a decrease of $124,452 and a year-to-date loss of $1,010,146. Earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBIDA) for the month were positive at $145,402.
Present at the meeting were Bridges; Crites; Pamperien; Courtney Owens, chief nursing officer; Helania Wulff, public relations and marketing; Christopher Baldwin, MD, chief of staff; and board members Jim Perry, OD; Ross Richardson, Joleen Durham, Jerri Crump, and Jennifer Hugenot.
The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, August 25, at noon in the hospital board room.
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For additional information, contact:
Helania Wulff
Director of Public Relations/Marketing/Physician Recruiting
Texas County Memorial Hospital
Phone: 417/967-1258
Helania.Wulff@tcmh.org
