The Delta Regional Authority awarded a $52,000 grant to TCMH for scale nodes, which will improve its technology systems.
“We are thankful to the Delta Regional Authority for providing these funds,” CEO Bill Bridges said. “The scale nodes will enhance the servers for the information technology requirements of the hospital.”
The news came during a recent meeting of the Texas County Memorial Hospital board of trustees.
Courtney Owens, chief nursing officer, presented a resolution for the Time Critical Diagnosis STEMI designation to the board members. Owens explained that TCMH is currently classified as a Level IV facility. This resolution aims to establish the necessary guidelines to meet federal and state requirements for proceeding with the verification process to elevate TCMH to a Level III facility.
“Our healthcare facility excels in caring for STEMI patients,” Owens said. “We have an outstanding cardiac rehabilitation program and are proud to offer this essential service close to home.”
TCMH is requesting the improved designation during the hospital’s recertification later this year in December, a process that occurs every three years.
‘BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL” UPDATE
Bridges updated board members on the “One Big Beautiful Bill.” Additional funds have been allocated for rural hospitals to help offset cuts to Medicaid and other rural hospital funding, but the additional funding is much less than the cuts. Bridges is concerned that the funds will be allocated to hospitals that are not actually rural. “We need to have a voice in how these funds are allocated.” Bridges said.
Bridges is participating in a legislative event in September in Washington, D.C. Organized by the Missouri Hospital Association, Bridges hopes to meet with Sen. Josh Hawley, Sen. Eric Schmitt and Congressman Jason Smith. Bridges invited Smith to visit TCMH during his recent break and travels in the area, but a visit didn’t happen.
TCMH is hosting a legislative day on Nov. 12.
“We will extend an invitation to all current local, state and federal legislators, as well as those aspiring to run for office, to visit the hospital and gain a comprehensive understanding of the needs of our rural healthcare facility,” Bridges said. “TCMH hasn’t had a visit from a federal legislator since former Sens. Claire McCaskill and Kit Bond were in office.”
PHARMACY UPGRADE
Board members approved a capital expenditure of $27,810 to upgrade the point-of-sale system at Hutcheson Pharmacy.
Owens, who submitted the request, explained that the existing system no longer meets the needs of the pharmacy or its patients.
“Our current point-of-sale system is outdated, and this upgrade will represent a significant improvement,” Owens said. “The new platform will feature several patient-friendly enhancements that will allow us to serve our patients more efficiently and safely.”
BIDS SOUGHT FOR LAND
Bridges noted interest from community members in purchasing a piece of property owned by TCMH between Savor Grill & BBQ and Missouri Ozarks Community Health. The building once housed TCMH Home Health of the Ozarks. The property will advertise for sealed bids.
FINANCIALS
Linda Pamperien, TCMH chief financial officer, presented the July financials, which reflected an increase of $133,084 in overall revenues from budgeted monthly expectations.
“Our outpatient revenue increased $443,482, a 5.9 percent increase from our budgeted monthly expectations,” Pamperien said.
July inpatient admissions were at 69, which is the same number of admissions from the same time frame in 2024. There have been 573 admissions year-to-date.
The financial report reflected that the hospital’s profit/loss report showed a negative bottom line for July, with a decrease of $229,034 and a year-to-date loss of $1,047,447. The earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBIDA) for the respective month were positive at $31,860 and the year-to-date EBIDA was positive at $797,907.
Present at the meeting were Bridges; Perry; Owens; Pamperien; Helania Wulff, public relations and marketing director; April Crites, quality and risk management; Christopher Baldwin, MD, chief of staff; and board members Joleen Durham, Jennifer Hugenot, Jerri Crump and Ross Richardson.
The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is noon Tuesday, Sept. 23, in the hospital board room.