TCMH Continues Enhanced Stroke Care with Renewed AI Grant

Texas County Memorial Hospital has received an $81,000 grant renewal from the Rural Citizens Access to Telehealth project, board members heard at their monthly meeting on August 27.

The funding continues to support RapidAI, the latest clinical technology for stroke care at TCMH. RapidAI is a Food and Drug Administration-approved tool that accelerates treatment decisions in the hospital’s radiology department. Since the program started in October 2023, this technology has drastically enhanced the quality of stroke care at TCMH.

RapidAI accelerates treatment decisions and enhances collaboration with Level I stroke-designated hospitals. The RapidAI system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to analyze high-resolution CT scans, identify potential blood vessel blockages, and transmit analyzed data to specialists in real-time.

“RapidAI software has revolutionized how we provide stroke care at TCMH,” Bill Bridges, TCMH chief executive officer, said. “It has been used with 271 exams since October, and of those 271 exams, the hospital has been able to keep 40 of those patients at TCMH for treatment closer to home versus transferring to another healthcare facility. We can provide the best possible care for stroke patients here in rural Missouri.”

Courtney Owens, TCMH chief nursing officer, noted that implementing the RapidAI system almost a year ago has been a significant step forward in TCMH’s mission to provide superior healthcare for all patients, regardless of their geographic location.

All area hospitals, including TCMH, are classified as Level III stroke care facilities in our region. The closest Level I facility is 90 miles away, which poses a considerable challenge to the timely treatment of stroke patients.

Owens explained upon a patient’s arrival in the emergency room at TCMH with suspected stroke systems, the medical staff promptly conducts a CT scan, which is then automatically analyzed by RapidAI.  Subsequently, a neurologist at Cox is promptly notified to interpret the CT results to identify if a hemorrhagic stroke exists.  If a non-ischemic stroke is identified, thrombolytic therapy is administered to address any blood clot or plaque. Furthermore, following the exclusion of a hemorrhage, the neurologist re-evaluates the CT results to pinpoint the location of the occlusion.

“RapidAI has expedited our door-to-decision time by saving valuable minutes in assessing and triaging stroke patients,” Bridges said. “Our care level has been enhanced dynamically, improving patient outcomes.”

In other business, Jerri Crump was sworn in as the newest member of the TCMH Board of Trustees. Jim Perry, OD, chairperson of the TCMH Board of Trustees, administered the oath of office to Crump. The Texas County Commission recently appointed Crump as the fifth board member to complete Steve Pierce’s vacated five-year term.

Bridges reported that TCMH has finalized an agreement with the Licking Police Department concerning the former TCMH Licking Family Clinic. He disclosed that the transaction to acquire the building and property is scheduled for completion this week.

Bridges thanked board members for attending an open house for Kristina Grant, DO, a new family medicine and obstetrics physician at the TCMH Medical Office Complex in Houston. Bridges noted that Grant picked up several new patients from the open house. A special table will also be coming to the clinic to allow Grant to perform osteopathic manipulative treatment and trigger point injections, which she is trained to do.

According to Helania Wulff, TCMH physician recruiter, an open house for Amanda Lemp, DO, is planned for October. Lemp is a family medicine and obstetrics physician who recently began practicing at the TCMH family clinic in Licking. She provides care to both inpatients and outpatients from birth through the end of life.

Other upcoming events, Ozark Action CLAIM, a Missouri State Health Insurance Assistance program, will be at the hospital on Thursday, November 7, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“This group will come with trained counselors who provide free, unbiased advocacy, education, and assistance to people with Medicare,” Owens said. “They will provide facts regarding traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans to allow the public to make informed decisions with their healthcare.”

Bomgaars will donate a percentage of their sales to the TCMH Healthcare Foundation on Friday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The donation will be part of the official grand opening events for the store located on South Sam Houston Boulevard in Houston.

Linda Pamperien, TCMH chief financial officer, presented the July financials, which showed hospital outpatient revenue up $199,155 for the month, a 3.1 percent increase.

The hospital had 70 admissions in July, up 76 admissions from the same time frame in 2023.

According to Pamperien, monthly expenses were down $115,293 at TCMH., a 3.2 percent decrease.

The financial report reflected that the hospital’s profit/loss report showed a negative bottom line for July, with a decrease of $347,548 and a year-to-date decrease of $207,979. The earnings before interest, depreciation, and amortization (EBIDA) for the respective month were negative at $86,098, and the year-to-date EBIDA was positive at $1,491,259.

Present at the meeting were Bridges; Owens; Wulff; Pamperien; April Crites, quality and risk management; Trica Benoist, MD, chief of staff; Christy Porter, public relations, marketing, and business office assistant; and board members Perry; Crump, Joleen Durham; and Jennifer Hugenot.

The next meeting of the TCMH board of trustees is Tuesday, September 24, at 12 p.m. in the hospital board room.

Jim Perry, OD, chairperson of the TCMH Board of Trustees, administers oath of office to Jerri Crump.