With an improving ambulance fleet and a widening service area, comes the growing need for a new home.
This was the biggest discussion during Thursday night’s Trigg County Hospital Board of Director’s meeting, in which CEO John Sumner relayed to members recent discussions of those involved with the Trigg County Ambulance Board.
Among the most important of points: Sumner said he and Judge-Executive Stan Humphries have already contacted US Congressman James Comer and his office about the potential acquisition of local, regional and federal grants that might assist such an endeavor.
Sumner said it might be wise to join up with Land Between the Lakes and Fort Campbell leadership, in order to create a better feasibility plan for new construction — and get a better chance at a grant award.
Furthermore, if early construction estimates and architectural drafts come back positively, it would be something the TCH Board approves by giving support to 50/50 or similar matching funds.
Should a grant be applied for, and subsequently awarded, pairing it with the county’s ambulance tax could push a construction budget north of $1 million, at least. Sumner said a fitting new location for it could be on the far side next the Dr. Bostick building. It’s already zoned residential/commercial, wouldn’t alter the on-site helipad, and would allow for the hospital to keep the original ambulance shack for maintenance storage.
Further, Sumner and board members posited it would improve ambulance privacy.
As far as Sumner could reflect, Trigg, Marshall and Murray’s hospitals are the only ones in west Kentucky — which means they have to be full stewards of this vision. Sumner said it also means a lot of planning and think tank.
Early designs in his mind look a lot like a firehouse, with people on one side, office space in the middle, and bays for vehicles to the side. And a building large enough could even help TCH bolster its air evacuation services.
It’s also worth reiterating, Sumner added, that any ambulance facility needs to stay close to the hospital — because its staff is integral for triage response.
In other hospital news:
— Following suit with Trigg County Fiscal Court, the board unanimously approved moving its $30,000 bid procurement limit to $40,000, meaning all tasks equal to or lesser in value do not have to go out for public bid.
— A psychiatric nurse practitioner is being added to the staff, particularly for managing patient medications and the addition of new patients of all ages.
— Looking to match other regional hospitals, the board approved for the installment of a $5,250 annual stipend upon the hiring two-year collegians in exchange for a year of service. This, while continuing to implement a $20,000 sign-on bonus for 18 months of an RN or LPN, and $10,000 for a certified nurse’s aid.
