While the preparation of medical marijuana was a major focus of the session, Trigg County Hospital’s Board of Directors had other issues to bring to the table when it met last Thursday afternoon.
Most importantly, its dietary department might need a major repair soon.
The original hospital is seven decades old, and Lori Blakeley, administrative and marketing assistant, said there are some drainage issues in the kitchen.
If it is needed, Blakeley said the repair would take three-to-five days sometime in January.
Furthermore:
— President & CEO John Sumner noted that delays have continued on the arrival of the new MRI. What was supposed to be a December arrival has now become a February 2025 arrival.
However, directors did approve for Sumner to enter into a loan agreement through Kentucky Economic Development, valued at $1 million with 1% interest. Sumner said these funds would be used to help offset the cost.
— Sumner also noted that the new conference and training room construction is going “as planned,” and is about four weeks from completion.
Board member Craig Fowler said it is looking “really good.”
— Sumner also said he’s looking at the possibility of ordering a new generator for the hospital. Though the current one meets state and federal requirements, the 1999 model gives the main building about 50% capacity in a shutdown. Sumner said there is concern not only of the machine getting older, but also there’s growing concern of not being able to find replacement repair parts.
At some point, he said, there might be a need to put out for bids on a generator that would cover nearly 100% of the hospital, and that first-glance estimates place those possible bids above $175,000. Sumner said the current generator produces 300 kilowatts, and that a new one would at least need to match that output.
