Dieter appointed to hospital board
Jerry Dieter of Marion was appointed March 28 to the board of directors of Marion County Hospital District #1 to complete Peggy Blackman's unexpired term. Blackman's term was to expire in May 2007.
Board member Judy Reno was appointed as secretary of the board to replace Blackman.
In other business:
— Hospital personnel was notified that a new nuclear medicine machine will not be sold to the hospital because the chief engineer with the manufacturer determined the equipment will not fit in the space provided.
Discussion followed regarding efforts made by hospital personnel to make the room meet specifications set out by other G.E. representatives. More research will be conducted to determine the next step.
— The new CT scanner was operating with 33 scans the first week, up from an average of 20 per month.
— Joe Pickett, chairman of the program to make St. Luke Hospital, Living Center, and Home Health Care a smoke-free campus, asked the board for an extension to implement the changes.
The board had previously made May 1 the implementation date. The board agreed to extend it to June 1.
The program will not allow any tobacco products anywhere on hospital grounds.
Pickett said he was researching options regarding smoking cessation classes to help employees and residents of the hospital district stop smoking. Patches to help smokers stop also were discussed.
Reno said she would like to see the same benefits offered to those who are overweight and have other health-related issues. She added that she did not support giving aids to smokers to help them quit.
Board member Martin Tice said hospital employees have been aware of this program for the past 60 days. Hilary Dolbee, chief financial officer, said the additional time was to set up policies and procedures.
— Emmett Schuster, interim chief executive officer, reported there was a family practitioner interested in coming to St. Luke Hospital. Contact will be made between the prospect and physicians.
A surgeon also is being sought by Memorial Hospital of McPherson, who then could be contracted with the hospital.
A podiatrist also was being sought by St. Luke Hospital.
An emergency room contract was approved with the current team who provides weekend coverage.
Changes will include an increase from $85 to $95 for holiday pay.
Schuster said the weekend ER doctors had been staying for no charge in a home owned by Marion Family Physicians. A charge of $50 per weekend was requested by the owners to compensate for electricity and upkeep.
Schuster said weekend doctors could stay in the hospital for free but some bring their families with them and appreciate the house.
The board decided it would pay $50 a weekend when the house is used by weekend doctors.
— The board approved $11,000 for a new dishwasher in the hospital dietary department. The old dishwasher was 35 years old and was not efficient.
— The board asked for more bids regarding a project to repair the hospital's emergency room driveway and a concrete pad for a decontamination shower.
— Jeremy Armstrong, newly hired chief executive officer, began Friday. He told the board he and his wife purchased a home at Marion County Park and Lake and planned to move in the coming weeks.
— Dolbee informed the board of three upcoming open houses for the hospital's new CT scanner, C-arm, and anesthesia equipment.
The first open house is April 13 when a luncheon is planned for 40 doctors from the Marion area.
On April 20, an open house with physicians and their spouses located 30-50 miles from Marion will be held. A public open house is planned from 1 to 4 p.m. April 23.
To prepare for the events, volunteers are being sought to assist with outdoor cleanup.
The next regular board meeting is at 7 p.m. April 25, in the clinic basement.
