Texas County Memorial Hospital board members approved the purchase of a new Hologic Horizon DXA bone densitometer at their meeting Tuesday, Sept. 24.
TCMH added bone densitometry to the radiology department in 2004. Commonly referred to as a “DEXA scan,” the machine uses X-ray technology to determine bone health. Procured initially through a grant two decades ago, the original densitometer reached the end of its operational lifespan.
“The 2024 bone densitometer will also be equipped with new tubercular bone scan software,” Linda Pamperien, TCMH chief financial officer, said. “This innovative software will not only measure bone density but also assess bone quality, enabling the identification of 30 percent more patients at higher risk of fractures.”
The new DXA was a “priority two” budget item in the 2024 budget, with hopes of being moved to a “priority one” in 2025. The new machine, including the trade-in of the old machine, cost $76,160.
Pamperien reported that TCMH does about 180 DXA scans annually. She discussed the importance of DEXA scans for women’s health, a priority for the health care providers at TCMH. A DEXA scan is used to find and diagnose osteoporosis, the thinning of bone tissue, which affects one in two women and one in four men over the age of 50.
In other news, Pamperien presented the August financials, which reflected an increase of $1,309,013 in overall revenues from budgeted monthly expectations.
“Our outpatient revenue increased $1,371,201, a 21.1 percent increase, and our inpatient volumes increased $40,152, a 3.1 percent increase from our budgeted monthly expectations,” Pamperien said.
The hospital had 85 admissions in August, up 90 admissions from the same time frame in 2023, in which there were 569 admissions year-to-date.
According to Pamperien, monthly expenses were up $122,334 at TCMH, a 3.4 percent increase.
“Our monthly expense increases were partially due to three payroll periods in August,” Pamperien explained. “Payroll at TCMH averages $850,000 per pay period.”
The financial report reflected that the hospital’s profit/loss report showed a positive bottom line for August, with an increase of $178,603 and a year-to-date decrease of $29,376. The earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBIDA) for the respective month were positive at $439,724, and the year-to-date EBIDA was positive at $1,930,983.
April Crites, TCMH quality and risk management, reviewed patient satisfaction scores with board members. The TCMH emergency department has achieved a six percent increase in patient satisfaction scores compared to the previous year.
“This demonstrates the department’s commitment to enhancing patient satisfaction and delivering exceptional care during critical moments,” Crites said.
Additionally, Crites reported that the hospital’s inpatient medical-surgical, intensive care unit and obstetrics departments all saw a seven percent increase over the previous month.
Courtney Owens, TCMH chief nursing officer, invited board members to an open house for Amanda Lemp, DO, at the TCMH Family Clinic in Licking from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 17. Lemp is a family medicine and obstetrics physician who recently began practicing there. She provides care to both inpatients and outpatients from birth through the end of life. Lemp relocated to Texas County with her husband, Andrew, in August.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Lemp to our TCMH family and community,” Owens said. “Her genuine dedication to patient care makes her a wonderful asset to our health care system.”
Present at the meeting were Pamperien; Crites; Owens; Helania Wulff, public relations, marketing and physician recruiting; Tricia Benoist, MD, chief of staff; and board members Jim Perry, OD; Ross Richardson; Joleen Durham; and Jerri Crump. Jennifer Hugenot was present via teleconference.
The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is at noon Tuesday, Oct. 22 in the hospital board room.