EOMC preparing in advance of solar eclipse
During the LeFlore County Tax-Supported Hospital Authority meeting at Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center on Tuesday, EOMC CEO Tiffany Griffis discussed preparations being made by the hospital for the solar eclipse that will take place on April 8.
It’s been estimated that up to 44,000-250,000 people will be visiting the area for the solar eclipse.
Griffis said that EOMC is ensuring that it will be fully staffed around the time of the solar eclipse.
EOMC and LeFlore County Emergency Preparedness are also promoting public health measures as April, 8, 2024, gets closer.
EOMC is stocking up on many important medical supplies and medications it feels may be needed during that time.
“We’ll start working on increasing inventory next month and start ordering additional supplies,” Griffis said. “These are normal supplies that we use throughout the year, so if we don’t use it in April, it lessens the cost throughout the year.”
State emergency preparedness officials are anticipating traffic control, communication issues and supply chain issues in early April.
Among other items during the meeting, it was mentioned that Oklahoma State Department of Health (OSDH) completed its clinical mandatory survey in which the surveyor indicated there were no deficiencies noted throughout the clinical hospital inspection.
The Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) agency completed its mandatory inspection of the hospital laboratory and found two extremely minor deficiencies, both of which were corrected prior to the surveyors leaving. The Family Medical Clinic and Heavener Medical Clinic was surveyed by Quad A Organization and both resulted in deficiency free surveys. Griffis noted this was due to hard work throughout the organization. “Survey readiness is 24/7. We believe if we are always doing processes according to professional recommendations and guidelines we should not have to worry about when surveyors show up.” EOMC is awaiting the OSDH Facilities inspection.
Dr. Donald Sanders was appointed to the Medical Executive Committee as the alternate medical executive committee physician.
The Cavanal Medical Clinic director title was changed to Dr. Beth Hites.
Approval for updating the software and equipment on the 140-ton chiller for the Family Medical Clinic was given by the board.
“Our plant operations guys go out there multiple times per day and check it to make sure it recognizes that it’s not 90 degrees outside, but 40. Eventually, Trane told us, you keep resetting it, and it needs new parts. It takes four to six weeks to get new parts,” Chief Operations Officer Logan Hayes said.
This will be an upgrade from an analog to digital, and EOMC will still use a Trane model.
“The reason we are staying with Trane is that we don’t have to replace all the downstream components like we would if we were to go to a different operating system,” Hayes said.
Trane gave a $47,088 bid and allowed EOMC to pay in six payments across six months with no interest.
Also, this includes training for staff and remote capabilities to diagnose problems without having to send a technician.
Policies and procedures manuals were updated for the administration and governing board, HIPAA security, the pharmacy and infection prevention and control.