MRHC and MCH announce operational changes
Adam Robertson/Mineral Independent | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 11 years, 11 months AGO
MINERAL COUNTY -- Mineral Regional Health Center –the clinic- is making changes to ensure the long term sustainability of the clinic for Mineral County.
The Board of Directors approved strategies to ensure that services would remain. Some of their changes include adjustments that are temporary in nature but significant.
Beginning January 1, 2014 all health care services will be delivered at the Superior clinic site Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00. St. Regis and De Borgia clinics will be temporarily closed to medical services until the financial situation stabilizes with hope to reopen this summer. Enrollment and outreach staff will continue to meet with patients in these areas. Clinic providers will be giving their full attention to clinic patients during clinic hours.
The hospital has agreed to provide day time ER coverage allowing clinic providers to provide better quality health care and see more patients in a more efficient manner at the Superior clinic. All non-essential expenses have been reviewed and will be curtailed. The Board is confident that with determination and diligence health services in Mineral County will be preserved.
Financial stabilization will be reevaluated each month with hopes for a break even status in the next 6 months. The hospital and the clinic Interim CEO’s will be conducting Town Hall meetings again in Mid January.
ARTICLES BY ADAM ROBERTSON/MINERAL INDEPENDENT
Grand Opening
The new St. Regis Senior Center was dedicated to Maxine Flemming, a member of the center since 1983. Her name and picture appears on a plaque to be displayed in the new center.
Icy highways lead to a weekend of accidents
MINERAL COUNTY – As blizzard-like conditions swept through the area late last week Interstate 90 became an ice rink and accident reports flooded in as traffic tried to navigate the hazardous roads. The heavy snows began on Thursday, Feb. 27, and only let up periodically over the next few days. According to Mineral County Sheriff’s Office dispatch, approximately 12 accidents occurred between Thursday and Sunday, March 2. Most of these were cases where vehicles slid off the road or spun out. According to Montana Highway Patrol Trooper Charles Burton, they were almost all caused by people driving too fast on the slick roads. “The weather has definitely been a factor,” Burton said. “People need to slow down a bit.” Burton also responded to an accident where a vehicle with a trailer hit some ice and the trailer fell over. On Friday, Feb. 28, Mineral County Sheriff Ernie Ornelas and the Mineral County Sheriff’s Deputies were kept busy for most of the day assisting with the flood of calls. While there were no investigations opened, the sheriff’s office was on hand to help with the accidents. While the Superior ambulances were also busy responding to calls, there were very few serious injuries. According to Mineral Community Hospital personnel, the hospital did not see many people with injuries resulting from the conditions. Burton said the Montana Department of Transportation was doing the best they could to keep Interstate 90 and the state highways clear. It was a daunting task as the cold temperatures and heavy snow kept the roads slick. The Montana Highway Patrol recommends everyone drive safely and go a safe speed for the road conditions.
Bobcats
Tucker Smith moves to block a Hot Springs player during a Superior home game earlier this season.