A series of purchases, two of which were emergency expenditures previously made, were approved at the Memorial Hospital and Manor Authority meeting held Tuesday.

One of the emergency purchases was to replace the 30-year-old tray top ware in dining services at a cost of $9,995.71.

It was noted during the annual state inspection of the manor that the hot food temperatures were not consistently maintained until serving time and that the tray top ware needed to be replaced.

An emergency purchase was made in order to have the metal pellets and trays arrive and in use prior to the return of the inspectors.

The second emergency expenditure was to replace two video monitors used for both laparoscopic and arthroscopic procedures. Neither one of these monitors was covered by a service contract. Three competitive quotes were obtained and an emergency purchase was authorized for two Sony monitors at a cost of $2,405 each, totaling $5,050, including shipping. The monitors were received March 1.

Taking steps to continue systematically replacing computer workstations throughout the hospital and manor, the board approved plans to purchase three Dell computers each month over this fiscal year, for a total of 36 units at a cost of $35,458.92.

It is estimated that this PC replacement program will allow the hospital and manor to be compatible with the new federal government requirements. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 allotted more than $20 billion to health care information systems. Maximum incentive funds begin in October 2010.

Two recommendations from the building and grounds committee were also approved by the board.

Proposals for replacement of the entire HVAC system at Willow Ridge have been received. One is from Lang Mechanical and the other from Harrell King.

King quoted $152,709 to replace the system with an estimated payback on investment of 6.79 years. Replacement of the center pod only was $100,988. Lang quoted $178,500 to replace the entire system, with estimated payback of seven to eight years. The committee recommended the quote of Harrell King and the board approved it. Installations should take approximately six weeks to complete.

Another recommendation from building and grounds was the approval of a $7,588 expenditure to EAM Solutions for a software program used for preventive maintenance.

Revenue figures up for the month

Key financial indicators for the month of March 2010 showed net revenue of $4,745,543, compared to February’s $2,926,003, with a variance of $1,819,540. Year-to-date is $38,085,847, compared to 2009 year-to-date figure of $38,109,553.

Chief Financial Officer Billy Walker reported he had received word on Friday that the hospital would be receiving approximately $400,000 more from the indigent care trust fund than anticipated.

Authority officers retained

Current officers of the board will continue to lead the authority an additional term, based on the recommendation of the nominating committee and approved by acclimation of the board.

They are the following: Joe Livingston, president; Charles Tyson, vice president; Johnny Grimsley, secretary; and Glennie Bench, treasurer.

In the CEO update, Jim Peak reported receiving a quote of $9,397 from The Post-Searchlight for printing and distribution of the Hospital’s 50th Anniversary publication. It is scheduled to be in the May 12 edition of the PSL, and also inserted in the Donalsonville and Miller County newspapers, as well as going out in direct mail.

The hospital awards banquet and employee cookout will be held Friday, May 14, on the front lawn.

Peak also requested, and the board approved, the May meeting be moved to May 25, as Peak has a conflict on the scheduled May meeting date.