If all goes according to plan, Callaway Community Hospital will re-implement orthopedic surgery this April, according to new Chief Executive Officer Mike Powell.
He discussed hospital plans with local politicians and community leaders Tuesday during the Fulton Area Chamber of Commerce and Visitor's Center After Hours event. Powell, who started his medical career as a physical therapist, took over as CEO in early January after working for University of Missouri Health Care for 19 years. MU Health Care and Nueterra, a health care management company that establishes equity partnerships, announced in December their joint ownership of Callaway Community Hospital at 35 percent and 65 percent, respectively.
MU Health Care and Nueterra plan to invest $1.8 million in the 37-bed hospital - $1.2 million of that will go toward operating room renovations, roof repairs, electrical upgrades and other building necessities, according to Powell. There are no plans for building expansion, he said. The remaining $600,000 is designated for new surgical equipment.
Re-establishing surgeries - orthopedic and general, eventually - at the Fulton-area hospital, Powell said, is a way to bring in revenue that will go toward further improving the facility. As the hospital increases the amount of surgeries it performs, it will need more staffing. Charles Phillips, director of surgical services, said the hospital will need surgical technicians, registered nurses and certified nurse anesthetists. The hospital has already hired four new employees, he said. Hirings will come in stages, Phillips added, and he hopes to employ in the range of 16-20 more to run the operating rooms.
Another big change to come is in the hospital's name. Powell said that should be finalized in an upcoming meeting this month. With new ownership and a new name, comes a new hospital culture of improved patient satisfaction, staff engagement and growth of surgical services, Powell said.
He emphasized the importance of patient satisfaction, which includes friendly greetings and acknowledgements from nurses and doctors as well as bettering patient understanding "so they can feel comfortable and confident in the care they receive."
Powell called the process a "rebirth" and added that he's pleased with how the staff is responding to changes.