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Hospital Board Authorizes Purchase of Over $170,000 in New Equipment
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The Daviess Community Hospital Board of Governors met Wednesday and approved purchasing over $170,000 in new medical equipment. Included were a centralized fetal monitoring system and two fetal monitors for the obstetrics unit, an automated dispensing system that streamlines the medication distribution process and enhances patient safety, processing equipment for mammography, an X-ray film filing system for imaging services, and hospital beds.
The Board also gave approval for the purchase of a HEPA filter-Negative Air Flow system for the emergency and surgical departments. The need for the purchase was determined after an evaluation of the hospital's systems relative to federal bioterrorism preparedness guidelines. DCH will be able to purchase the system using a portion of bioterrorism preparedness grant funds that are being made available to communities throughout the state.
“We will continue to work with the state and various local agencies regarding bioterrorism,” said Jim Heckert, CEO. “That work includes developing plans with officials in Daviess, Martin, and Pike counties to meet community needs during this type of disaster.”
Heckert also reported the hospital’s home health agency and the medical staff have been working closely with the Daviess County Health Department to distribute a very limited number of flu vaccines. Using strict guidelines set by Centers for Disease Control, hospital physicians are distributing the vaccines from their offices to those who qualify. “Not everyone meets the guidelines,” said Heckert. “So, both DCH and the health department are providing education to the community regarding other ways to prevent the spread of the flu."
Finally, Heckert informed the Board that the annual Helping Hearts Hospice Christmas Cookie Walk is scheduled for December 3 in the lobby. |
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