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PCMH board approves new CT scanner
Pecos County Memorial Hospital chief executive officer Russell Tippin hopes to have a new CT scanner in place at the hospital by Thanksgiving.
The staff will be very thankful if that happens. The present four-slice CT scanner was purchased eight years ago and concern has been expressed that it's not producing quality images.
An initial step toward the acquisition was taken Tuesday evening when the Board of Managers approved a quote from Siemens for a 64-slice scanner.
"The one we have now is a paper weight compared to what we're looking at," Tippin said.
Tippin said the purchase price for the Siemens scanner is $936,511, but he recommends leasing the new scanner.
Without a maintenance agreement, the scanner would cost the hospital $16,037.45 per month. Tippin received board approval to negotiate a lease agreement that would include the maintenance agreement at an amount above the basic lease cost.
Philips also produced a quote of less than $1 million, Tippin said. He had requested a quote from General Electric, but had not received one prior to the meeting.
Tippin said the Siemens quote has the advantages of having technicians in the Odessa-Midland area and the company would lend a portable CT scanner to the hospital should the new scanner be offline for repairs.
The Pecos County Commissioners Court during a special session Monday morning granted an exemption of contract from competitive bidding requirements of Texas Local Government Code 262.024, as well as the approval of the acquisition of the CT scanner.
Among other business, the board:
>> approved a tuition grant agreement for $20,000 for chief financial officer Leticia Fox to pursue a master's degree; the degree would allow Fox to sit for a certified public accountant exam
>> authorized Tippin to negotiate a 501A program with Medical Center Hospital of Odessa; Tippin said the program would aid in the recruitment of physicians to PCMH; currently physicians must form professional associations while under a 501A the physicians could be offered employment
>> approved $3,320 to Dr. Larry Boyd to cover the difference between negotiated moving expenses and the actual cost
>> approved a request to go out for bids for a general chemistry analyzer; the current unit was acquired five years ago; three companies are expected to submit bids for a lease with a maintenance agreement
>> approved the CFO's report, the transfer of funds and the budget amendments and line item transfers
>> approved an appointment for Ronald Freeland CRNA as allied health professional, and the reappointments of Dr. Jefferson Cox, Dr. Joseph Gould and Dr. Anthony Sforza; Cox is a radiologist, Gould a podiatrist and Sforza a permanent emergency room physician
>> received an update from Tippin that construction has begun on the Physical Therapy Wellness Center and the Memorial Garden
>> was informed of a health fair to take place Saturday at Pecos County Civic Center
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