Texas County Memorial Hospital has completed moving into its new facility as remodeling work continues at the hospital.
Twelve patients were moved to the new medical surgical floor on June 14 as the final move into the new construction at TCMH. The hospital previously took ownership of the first floor in May following a grand opening ceremony.
“Overall, the new med surg floor has been great,” said Doretta Todd-Willis, TCMH chief nursing officer, reported during last week’s board meeting. “The staff and the patients love it.”
CEO Wes Murray and Todd-Willis called the new rooms a “vast improvement” in patient privacy and comfort. It was noted that room temperature control and noise levels on the med surg floor have noticeably improved. Patient satisfaction scores will be studied closely to track any satisfaction trends related to the new space.
Demolition in vacated areas within the hospital is taking place. Asbestos removal in vacated areas will be completed the first week of July.
“The remodeling contractors will be back on site after asbestos removal is complete,” Murray said.
He noted that the remodel is expected to take about three months.
“Our contractors may encounter some problem areas during the remodeling phase,” Murray said. “Some of the areas they are working in have been remodeled multiple times over many years.”
TCMH has also accepted demolition bids for removing the south wing of the hospital in anticipation of constructing the tornado safe room and new surgery department.
“I would like to commend David Rosemann (plant operations director at TCMH) and the maintenance department for the great job they have done in staying on top of everything we have going on here,” Murray said.
The TCMH emergency department is continuing to plan for the addition of an urgent care during peak times later this year.
“Dr. (Jeff) Kerr and his staff want to make sure they roll out with an urgent care plan that will work,” Murray said.
Todd-Willis presented the board members with a letter of intent for TCMH to receive a “level 3” stroke designation. It’s an effort that Todd-Willis, Kerr, emergency department medical director and Jeri Sue Crump, emergency department nurse manager, have been working toward.
TCMH must have an approved letter of intent in place to receive the designation. Board members unanimously approved the letter of intent.
Present at the meeting were Murray; Pamperien; Todd-Willis; Dr. Schaun Flaim, chief of staff; Dr. Matthew Brown, vice chief of staff; Joleen Senter Durham, director of public relations; Dr. Charles Mueller; and board members Omanez Fockler, Janet Wiseman, Russell Gaither and Jim Perry, OD. Board member Mark Hampton was absent.
The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is noon Tuesday, July 23, in the downstairs meeting room of the hospital.