CLINTON—Dr. John Warner hospital governing board on Monday agreed to purchase a fourth ambulance to add to its fleet of three.

The ambulance service staffs two units 24/7 and the third ambulance is a reserve. All three of the ambulances owned now are aging and adding another will provide additional backup—there are times when all three have been unavailable because of being is dispatched and as a result of multiple calls. It also will provide an opportunity to begin rotating purchase of vehicles. The new vehicle will cost $134,843.

Members also voted on board officers, retaining Julie North as president and B. A. Nelson as vice president, and adding Cindy Saylor, a newer appointee to the board, as secretary. Only one person was nominated for each position and all votes were unanimous.

The board heard a report indicating the hospital’s revenue after expenses was $59,919 in June, and $179,278 above for the fiscal year, which began May 1. Revenue was reported to be 3 percent ahead of budget and expenses were 4 percent below budget.

Board members also agreed to purchase 12 Panasonic Toughbook computers for nursing staff to keep records, schedules, etc. They will be paid for through a grant from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA).

“The providers and staff at the Rural Health Clinic will have the ability to access clinical data and software applications in the hospital information system,” stated a news release prepared by the hospital. “Additionally, the clinic will be implementing an ambulatory care-specific software module from the same vendor, Healthland. This software module will provide . . . notifications of needed services.” The focus of the grant was helping patients with diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.

For the complete article see the 07-27-2010 issue.

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