Houston, MO— Texas County Memorial Hospital added a new member to their board of trustees during their monthly board meeting held on Tuesday. Steve Pierce of Houston was sworn in for a new five-year term. Omanez Fockler, TCMH board of trustees’ vice-chairperson administered the oath of office to Pierce.
Pierce was elected to the open position for the TCMH board of trustees after he won the race as a write-in candidate during the countywide election held earlier in the month.
During the monthly meeting, several motions were made, seconded and passed for the TCMH board of trustees’ officer positions for the upcoming year.
Jim Perry, OD will remain as the board of trustees’ chairperson, Fockler as vice-chairperson and Jay Loveland became the new secretary/treasurer.
In his administrative report, Wes Murray, TCMH chief executive officer reported that the hospital laboratory’s BioFire Dual Analyzer and Respiratory Verification Kit as well as the Serology Chemical Analyzer Antibody Test are fully functional.
“As of last Thursday we are able to run COVID-19 tests in-house, giving us a much faster turnaround time than if we had to send the specimens out for testing,” Murray said. “However, we would like the community to know that not everyone who needs to be tested for COVID-19 will have their specimen processed in-house, some will still have to be sent out for processing.”
Murray mentioned that certain criteria established for TCMH providers will determine eligibility for whether or not COVID-19 specimens are processed in-house or sent out.
The timing and installation of the new equipment has been instrumental for the local hospital and the community. As of Tuesday, the hospital had already processed two positive COVID-19 test results.
“With the rise in the number of cases in counties all throughout Missouri, we are grateful to have the capability to now process our own tests,” Murray explained. “Many rural hospitals throughout the state do not have this incredible opportunity.”
“We are hopeful that the health department will be able to coordinate a community testing event.” Murray said. “Such an event would increase testing in our area and we would support the event however we could.”
Murray mentioned that the hospital is coordinating with the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks to host a blood drive.
The event will be held in the Jayson Gentry Community Safe Room on Friday, July 10 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. COVID-19 health screenings will be performed at the entrance and social distancing guidelines will be in place during the event.
Linda Pamperien, chief financial officer at TCMH, presented the financial report for the month of May.
“Overall revenues were down $1,942,387 from our budgeted expectations in May,” Pamperien said. “Inpatient volumes were down $437,284, and outpatient revenue was down $1,437,933.”
TCMH ended the month of May with a negative bottom line of $285,830.94 and a year-to-date loss of $1,776,875.47.
Pamperien mentioned that a plan is in the works to apply for some of the funds that Texas County received as a result of COVID-19.
“We are exploring options to expand telemedicine services so our patients can have readily available access to their providers,” Pamperien said.
Murray added that COVID-19 has shown the need for greater utilization of the old East Wing and a remodeling project may soon be underway.
“Although we have already made some temporary changes to the East Wing that we are relying on now for any potential COVID-19 surge, a more in-depth remodel would promote a higher level of isolation and increased safety for our regular patients and our staff,” Murray explained.
Present at the meeting were Murray; Pamperien; Doretta Todd-Will, chief nursing officer; Rachel Davis, public relations; Amanda Turpin, quality; Linda Milholen, MD; board members, Fockler; Loveland; Branstetter; and Pierce.
Board member, Jim Perry, OD was not present at the meeting.
The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is Tuesday, July 28 at 12 p.m. at Texas County Memorial Hospital. Due to the current social distancing restrictions in place as a result of COVID-19, the exact meeting format and/or location will be released at a later date.
