SOUTHEAST HOSPITAL BACKERS GET REPORT ON ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Southeast Missouri Hospital administrator Jim Wente spoke of his hospital's accomplishments and breathed a sigh of relief over some finished projects during the hospital's annual dinner meeting Thursday night.

Addressing hundreds of supporters at the Show Me Center, Wente spoke of the hospital's open-heart center's low, 3.9 percent mortality rate.

"That is better than the Mayo Clinic and the Cleveland Clinic," Wente said. "We've maintained an excellent track record in that department."

Wente said the number of surgical procedures the hospital performs is up 10 percent since last year.

The number of births at the hospital increased by 3 percent and the number of caesarean sections dropped to 25 percent of those deliveries.

Wente also said the hospital received accreditation with commendation this year by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. He said the hospital scored a 99 out of a possible 100 points on that organization's test grid.

"That was something we prepared three years for," he said. "I don't recall what the percentages are of hospitals that score in that category, but it's a very elite group."

Wente said the dedication last year of the hospital's refurbished lobby and patient registration area culminated five years of hard work.

"You don't know what kind of a relief it is to have a five-year project behind you," he said.

Also speaking at the dinner was the president of the Missouri Hospital Association, Charles Bowman. He touched on the rising cost of caring for Missouri's uninsured patients -- especially in light of the proposed Medicare cuts.

He said there are 750,000 uninsured people in Missouri who cost hospitals $1.7 million a day in care. Bowman said in light of Congress' proposed $100 billion Medicare cuts, hospitals are going to have to cut back services.

"Hospitals are going to have to reduce staffs and cut services especially to the elderly. They are the ones that are going to feel the brunt of this whole process," Bowman said.

The hospital also presented two Outstanding Service Awards at the dinner.

The Rev. Dr. Ed Brasington was honored for his longtime service to the hospital as well as his ministry to patients, families and employees.

Brasington was a member of the active board of trustees from 1975 to 1996. He served for more than 20 years as a member of the hospital's pastoral care advisory committee. A minister at First Presbyterian Church, Brasington was instrumental in the planning of the hospital's chapel and served three months as the interim chaplain.

Dr. James A. Kinder, a Cape Girardeau pediatrician for nearly 50 years, served on the active board of trustees from 1977 to 1985. He was also honored for his care of infants and children as a member of the hospital medical staff and a staff member of the Cape Girardeau County Public Health Center's primary care clinic.

Kinder was a flight surgeon and gunner on a B-25 bomber in the Chinese Air Force during World War II. During his career he has seen such innovations as the Salk vaccine.

He was instrumental in the establishment of the hospital's pediatrics department.

Wente said it has been his privilege to work with both men through his years at the hospital.

"Dr. Kinder is a dedicated man, unselfish -- just an outstanding gentleman," he said. "I've had the pleasure of working with Ed in Meals on Wheels, and he is another outstanding person.

"I'm just delighted that we were able to recognize both of these men."