By Stephanie Johns
Staff Writer

The Morgan County Hospital Authority voted to purchase new radiology monitors at a cost of $8,200 and a processor for $28,000 during its November meeting.
Authority member Calvin Welch said the monitors will be used to read mammograms and X-rays while the current processor is at the end of its lifespan and cannot be repaired.
“Both pieces of equipment are very important to patient safety and care,” he said, adding that they have outside funding for both pieces of equipment. 
Megan Morris, Director of Development and Community Relations, said they may receive private foundation money to purchase the monitors and the auxiliary has the money to purchase the processor in full, they just need to submit their proposal.
Kimberly Miller spoke about Quality Improvement (QI). She noted that they have a positive trend below the national average when it comes to the number of falls at the hospital. They did not have any falls in November, which she said was “fantastic.” She added that the number of falls, among other criteria, affects their Medicare reimbursement.
Miller said they have identified processes for improvement, including marketing tactics. They contact referring facilities and also speak with the families of patients regarding services provided by the hospital. 
Beth O’Neill, Chief Nursing Officer, gave the nursing report. She said they will continue to monitor overtime and plan to increase their PRN staff. She said they have upgraded their crash carts and plan to practice mock codes to improve employee efficiency.
Morris shared information about customer satisfaction and community activities. Customer satisfaction numbers went down slightly for inpatients and up slightly for outpatients. She noted that the low census and one “not so perfect score” impacted the numbers. Comments provided by both inpatients and outpatients were positive overall.
She said the Love Light Tree had raised about $5,000 by Thursday night and, based on previous years, more money will come in the last few days of the fundraiser.
The Community Health Needs Assessment done in conjunction with Georgia Southern University (GSU) is “in a holding pattern.” She said Morgan Memorial is one of three hospitals out of the 18 participating in the assessment that has done what GSU has asked.

Printed in the December 6, 2012 edition