Hospital district elects officers

During the Dec. 20 meeting of the Hot Springs County Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, there was some discussion regarding the transformation of the hospital and the hospital district. In the general election, the majority of residents voted to pass an initiative to form the district.

The District Board had a short meeting Dec. 14 to elect officers and appoint members to committee roles. Chairman Dr. Bill Williams, Vice Chair Heath Overfield, Secretary/Treasurer Dan Herdt. Dave Koerwitz and Breez Daniels were appointed to the finance committee and Heath Overfield and Dan Herdt were appointed to the Quality Committee.

Another initiative passed in the general election provides for a special one percent tax that would be used to collect funding for a multimillion expansion for the hospital.

The Request For Proposal for financial consultation/management for the building project was sent out Dec. 7 with interested parties needing to have their applications in by Jan. 5. The top two or three will be invited to present to the Board at a special meeting Feb. 1 at 12 p.m.

A formal retreat is not scheduled at this time. The board will have many different meetings over the next few months to discuss the building project and transition.

In board action, the Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) agreement through HealthTech was approved, allowing reduced prices for supplies and equipment. A contract with Stericycle was also approved, for disposal of medical waste.

Also during the meeting, it was reported the Quality and Patient Care Service Committees have restructured allowing more streamlined reporting, accountability and Medical Staff committee work. Kits for rapid treatment of emergency conditions are being revised and created such as a ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI) kit, for those who come in experiencing a likely heart attack, and Rapid Sequence Intubation (RSI) Kit with medicines to help relax those who need to be intubated quickly.

County Commissioner Brad Basse was shown appreciation for his years as the Board liaison. The commissioners will reorganize in January and will designate a liaison for the board at that time.