Hospital board recognizes foundation efforts

Thursday, August 30, 2007

The Nevada Regional Medical Center board received reports from the NRMC Auxiliary and NRMC Foundation during a regular monthly meeting Tuesday evening.

Maxine Halcomb, president of the auxiliary, said this would be the last time she would appear before the board as president, since her four-year term was nearing its end. NRMC CEO Judy Feuquay said she appreciated Halcomb's service and hoped she would continue her good work, even if it is no longer as an officer of the auxiliary.

Halcomb said that members of the auxiliary helped raise money for several pieces of equipment. "We raised money for an infant warmer, a digital scale, a Lone Star retractor, two pulse oximeters and 10 art prints," Halcomb said. "The total amount of the projects was $24,080.43."

Members of the auxiliary also provided unpaid services to the hospital.

"If these 7,135 hours were paid at the minimum wage of $5.50 an hour it would total $39,242.50," Halcomb said.

Board attorney Bryan Breckenridge reminded Halcomb of a recent change in the law.

"Maxine you know the minimum wage law has recently been changed," Breckenridge said. "Your total would be a lot higher if you used the new figures."

The NRMC Foundation report was delivered by Chairman Jack Mead who told the board the foundation funded $49,240 of purchases for the hospital, wiht the Caring With Pride Golf Tournament having brought in $17,041 of that amount. The foundation funds grew from $359,000 to more than $392,000 during the year.

During her report, Feuquay gave the board an overview of the year-long effort to upgrade the computer Information Technol-ogy system. During the past year an IT team was formed, and the hospital hired Inteck consulting firm, developed the system requirements and sought bids from vendors. The final details are being worked out on the team's recommendations that will be presented to the board at a future meeting.

The Schumacher Group will become the providers of services in the Emergency Department beginning the first week of September. Dr. Jerry Jumper will remain as the medical director.

Feuquay said the hospital's call-light system is in need of replacement because some of its functionality had been lost after the move from the South Tower to the North Tower.

"It is an old system and we tried to repair it but it is outdated and repair and replacement parts are no longer available," Feuquay said. "We recommend that the board approve the proposed replacement."

Charlene Clause reported to the board that on a new program, Banding Together, which is being implemented in most Missouri hospitals. The program urges hospitals to use the same colors and meanings for arm bands; yellow for fall risks, red for allergies and purple for Do Not Resuscitate.

In other business the board:

* Approved a Synthes Battery Power Line System, an orthopedic drill with accessories.

* Approved renewal of Property, Boiler and Machinery Insurance premium, which decreased by $1,489.

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