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VAN DYKE -- The CCMC Board of Directors unanimously voted to move forward with purchase of several new pieces of imaging equipment that will give the facility capabilities not currently available in any of the area hospitals.

The likelihood of being able to treat patients close to home will be increased dramatically with the implementation of this technology.

Multi-Slice CT System

Comanche County Medical Center will soon be joining the ranks of the country’s premier healthcare providers.

CT SCANNER. CCMC’s new Computed Tomography scanner with 64-slice imaging will be the most advanced CT system in the area.

We will soon offer patients access to the world’s most advanced multislice computed tomography (CT) system through its acquisition of the Aquilion 64 from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

The fast scanning capabilities and unmatched image quality offer significant benefits for quick and accurate diagnosis of trauma patients experiencing chest pain or stroke. The Aquilion 64 can capture precise images of any area of the body in as little as a ten (10) second breath hold. Another benefit of the scanner is that the overall radiation exposure to patients and hospital staff is up to 40% lower.

Our physicians will be able to see more anatomical information than previously thought possible.

According to our new Internist, Dr. Joe Hubbard, “We can diagnose problems like blood clots, infections, and cancer in greater detail and with more clarity. As a result, we will have the ability to make an accurate diagnosis at earlier stages. This means that patients can begin receiving treatment sooner for potentially better outcomes.”

For instance, the system has the capability to measure and check for the amount of plaque buildup in an individual’s coronary arteries (called calcium scoring). A high score can be lifesaving by alerting a patient and their physician to the presence of heart disease and the need for further evaluation. A low calcium score indicates less risk of a heart attack.

Dr. Hubbard further commented, “Calcium scoring lets us determine if there is any evidence of Coronary Artery Disease. Coronary Artery Disease is progressive, early detection and treatment is the key to minimizing the need for surgery.”

With the coverage and speed capabilities of the scanner, a wider range of patients also may have more options to undergo noninvasive procedures, such as a virtual heart catheterization and virtual colonoscopy.
Coronary angiography is a fairly routine procedure – in fact, nearly 2 million are performed every year. However, it usually requires an overnight stay in the hospital for additional monitoring. There also can be significant risks associated with the procedure, including stroke, heart attack, and for approximately 1 percent of the population, death.

Cardiac catheterization has been the main option for evaluating the heart for blocked arteries. Twenty to 40 percent of these procedures are diagnostic only and require no intervention. But, the developments in multislice CT imaging technology has played a significant role in providing patients with an alternative to traditional coronary angiography.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Comanche County Medical Center will soon be installing a new cutting-edge 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system – the EXCELART Vantage™ powered by Atlas – from Toshiba America Medical Systems, Inc.

The system will be installed in a new addition attached to the hospital to eliminate the need to go outside into the elements. The system delivers unmatched image quality that allows faster imaging times, quick and accurate diagnosis and maximum patient comfort. Our facility will be one of the few in the nation to have this technology.

The new Atlas system design features an integrated coil concept that allows clinicians to perform multiple exams without repositioning the patient. Also, the Vantage Atlas allows for feet-first imaging for the entire body for most tests, except the neck and head. This helps patients who feel claustrophobic in many of the other scanners on the market.

The Vantage Atlas also features Toshiba’s patented noise-reduction technology, called Pianissimo™ which dramatically reduces acoustic noise. This is often considered to be the most significant cause of patient discomfort during an MRI exam.

New UltraSound Technology

Further improving the delivery of cardiac care to the community, Comanche County Medical Center will soon be offering the latest ultrasound technology – designed to improve diagnosis of heart disease and enable faster treatment decisions.

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By LAURA KESTNER, Editor

The contract with the city’s solid waste disposal provider -- IESI -- was among the items discussed during the most recent meeting of the DeLeon City Council, Thursday, April 24.

Council members Mayor Danny Owen, Howard Gifford, Norma Locke, Roy Dale Freeman and Gayle Stroud were all present for the 6 p.m. beginning, with Councilman Avery Carlisle arriving later. Also present and participating were City Secretary Karen Wilkerson, Police Chief Ralph Dickey, Sgt. Dustin Paulsen, Emergency Coordinator Ray Helberg and Public Works Administrator Rob Duncan. Two representatives from IESI -- Jerry Alston and Ronnie Duley -- were also present. Both men also attended the March 27, 2008 meeting, when the city’s contract was first discussed.

“I hope each of you had time to go over the proposed contract with IESI,” Mayor Owen said, inviting each council member to feel free to ask questions.

Councilman Gifford expressed concern about communications within the company, but noted later that things “have improved considerably since the rocky beginning.”

A lengthy discussion ensued, with most of the council members asking questions at least once, and considerable attention was paid to the unpredictability of fuel prices. There were also questions as to whether or not the proposed contract covered the extra pick-ups needed during the city clean-up week, the P & M Festival and Golden Saturday.

“This contract is just a typical contract,” Alston, IESI district manager, said. “Once you guys vote to go with that, then we can sit down and work out all the city needs. Then we’ll list them in that (contract). Every city has different needs.” At further requests for clarification, Alston said, “The same thing you’ve had in the past, you’ll have going forward.”

Several council members made remarks regarding the positive aspects of the polycarts provided by IESI, including only having to make one trip to the curb and a tidier appearance for the town.

After more discussion, including assuring there were provisions for disposal of animal carcasses from the DeLeon Animal Shelter, Mayor Owen said, “When we started talking of going out for (bids) contracts for our waste services, we gave ourselves enough time that if need be we could make a decision to accept, deny, or go out for more bids. To my way of thinking, and this is just my thinking here, that some of the other agencies that are around us, but not real close, the thing I see is that the fuel adjustment charge could be higher if someone were coming from Abilene and so-forth, and that’s a concern there.”

Mayor Owen noted that waste disposal businesses weren’t just “tearing down the door” to do business in DeLeon. After speaking again of the improvements made since the “rocky start” Owen said, “After what we’ve seen, and the gentlemen trying to work with us, and trying to cure problems that we’ve had on both sides, and so forth, I would like to not delay any longer trying to get into a contract, and suggest we go with IESI again. That’s strictly my opinion, each one of you have your vote.”

Councilman Freeman then asked where in the contract was IESI’s “feet being held to the fire.”

“Do you mean if we aren’t taking care of business?” Alston asked. He then pointed out that contract section to Freeman. After reading it, Freeman asked for further clarification.

“What kind of guarantee do we have here?” Freeman said.

“All I can say, is that we are a public company, and we will not allow any city to think bad of us,” Alston said. “We’re not going to let it get to that point.”

“I’m interested in performance,” Freeman said, “not having to call and raise cain and go back and forth on this. Actually, I would be glad to see y’all put up a bond.”

“We do that in some cities,” Alston said.

“What about in this city?” Freeman said.

“We can,” Alston said.

‘I think that’s something we need to look at,” Freeman said. “You’re a nice guy, but that has nothing to do with it. We would rather you have something at stake, other than future business. It would give you more leverage in holding your own company’s feet to the fire.”

“If you guys want a performance bond, then we’ll do it,” Alston said. “We don’t like to, it costs us money to pay for it.”

“Perhaps after a period of time we could wave that,” Freeman said.

Karen Wilkerson pointed out to Freeman that if IESI failed to live up to their promises, constituting breach of contract, then the city could “get out of a contract anyway.”

“If you want me to look at a performance bond,” Alston said, “and get you prices for that, I will. But honestly, everything trickles back down into the pricing.”

“I understand that,” Freeman said. “But I would rather look ahead at this, than look back on it.”

Freeman then asked Wilkerson if she would contact the city attorney, Lois Rockefeller, and get her opinion on a performance bond. Mayor Owen noted that Rockefeller would be reviewing the contract anyway.

Although there was a suggestion of tabling any action, pending advice from the attorney, several council members objected…

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

VAN DYKE -- In a Monday interview, Comanche County Medical Center CEO Kevin Storey described the action taken by the Hospital Board at a special called meeting on the previous Wednesday morning, April 23.

Most of the meeting took place in closed, executive session. In the brief public session portion of the meeting the Board approved and authorized Storey to execute equipment financing agreements as discussed during the closed session and to continue work on additional financing.

Storey stated that he presented the Board a scaled-back medical imaging equipment purchase financing proposal, the result of negotiations completed since the previous Board meeting on March 25. Various items proposed to have been financed and purchased at that meeting were eliminated in the approved financing, which has since been executed.

The purchase of a new computer software system, new ambulance trucks, a new orthopedic operating room table and surgical instrument sterilizer, a new PACS digital medical image archival system, a new mammography machine, new radiography and fluoroscopy equipment and a some other items have been eliminated from the planned financing.

Planned equipment purchases in the smaller financing include a new 64-slice computed tomography (CT) scanner, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system, a nuclear medicine imager, a new ultra sound imager and the refinancing of the hospital's current equipment-related debt.

All of the equipment being purchased is supplied by Toshiba Medical Systems, who also participated in arranging the financing.

The debt refinancing will also allow the hospital to obtain a new laboratory analyzer. The new lab machine will enable many more patient samples to be quickly analyzed at the hospital, aiding both physicians and patients in obtaining faster treatment, and at a lower cost to the hospital than at present.
Citing competitive reasons, Storey did not disclose the total amount of the financing approved. He described it as significantly less that the earlier proposed $6.5 million financing, and that the price for the equipment purchased had not changed. He stated that the interest rate is under 5% and has a seven year term.

The new debt is not taxpayer guaranteed.

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

By JERRY MORGAN, Reporter

COMANCHE -- The Commissioners Court was advised that the county may have yet another financial obligation, the maintenance of flood control dams built around 40 years earlier.

All members were present, Commissioners Garry Steele, Kenneth Feist, Bobby Schuman and Jimmy Dale Johnson, and County Judge James Arthur at the Monday morning regular meeting.

Other county officials present included County Clerk Ruby Lesley, County Auditor Joey Boswell, Sheriff Jeff Lambert, County Treasurer Billy Ruth Rust, County Attorney Craig Willingham, Emergency Services Coordinator Ray Helberg and his assistant Trish Grimshaw.

The first significant agenda item involved a presentation by Nancy Jewell, District Technician with the Upper Leon Soil & Water Conservation District regarding 19 flood control structures in Comanche County. She was introduced by ULSWCD Board member Norman Moore.

Moore noted that although the flood control structures are younger than their 50 year designed life, many of the dams have been overgrown with trees and woody weeds. He added that they have worked well in controlling flood damage and continue to serve that function, but do need some maintenance work.
Moore also noted that there have been more buildings constructed downstream from the structures, with a lot more people living there and that creates a liability concern.

Jewell reported on her recent round of mandatory inspections made in 2007. She distributed copies of the inspection reports and cost estimates for needed maintenance. She noted that the cost estimates, which were based on less expensive fuel costs in effect at the time, were being collected by the state Soil and Water Conservation Board to support a request to the Legislature for maintenance funding.

Jewell also drew the Commissioners’ attention when she mentioned that the county had agreed to do the maintenance work on the dams.

Jewell noted that her inspections did not reveal any dams needing repairs, but only operational maintenance, primarily the removal of brush overgrowth on the dams and spillway area, and the clearing of accumulated flood debris. Some were described as "pretty bad situations."

Jewell’s cost estimates for needed maintenance of the 19 flood control structure totaled almost $55,000.
Commissioners asked numerous questions regarding landowner responsibilities, access rights, whether the removed brush could be burned or piled on the subject property.

Bobby Brinson, who had earlier been involved in removing a beaver dam blocking the discharge on one of the structures, noted that ordinary road maintenance equipment could not be used for some of the brush removal and that specialized equipment would have to be rented.

Jimmy Dale Johnson asked Jewell, "How long are we liable for doing this, forever?"

Jewell responded that the NRCS and the Soil & Water Conservation Boards were planning to be "moving on" at the end of the 50 year planned life span of the dams, but would not be "dropping the ball" because if there was a dam failure, everyone involved would be sued.

She added that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had gotten involved in the situation and would likely be "asking" for dam inspection reports in the future.

Jewell stated that there was a need for a maintenance plan as well as for an emergency action plan involving downstream homes and roadways in the case of a dam failure. She advised the Commissioners against starting any immediate work, however, pending the state's adoption of a plan with funding.

Garry Steele noted that in light of the flood control structure liability situation that the county might need to take another look at its development permitting process. He also noted that he had not always been aware of the county's maintenance obligations for the structures. He added, "If we don't get some funding on these things, we're going to be in major trouble financially."

The problem of locating affected landowners was discussed. Jewell stated that the ULSWCD does not have good current information. The problem of access was also further discussed, as was unapproved dam structure modifications…

For full article, subscribe to the DeLeon Free Press. E-mail edition is only $20/year.

DeLeon Animal Control Officer Chuck Crawford announced last week that a skunk found in the City of DeLeon tested positive for rabies.

“Somebody called from West Ayers Street last Wednesday and said that their dog had killed a skunk,” Crawford said. “It was shipped out, and the results came back early Thursday morning -- it was positive. We don’t send them in unless there’s contact. If somebody gets bit, or there’s an animal involved, then we have to have them tested.”

Crawford said the two dogs who made contact with the rabid skunk have been put down.

“If an animal that makes contact is not vacinated, then there’s a 90 days quarantine and they have to have three shots,” Crawford said. “If they are vacinated, then there’s a 45 day quarantine period, with one shot. So the owners opted to have them put down, because of the risk involved.”

Crawford urges all DeLeon area citizens to make all their pets are vacinated, and to watch them closely.
“If you see anything unusual in your animals, contact your vet immediately,” Crawford said. “The best defense and barrier between us and wildlife are our pets, so watch them carefully. And if you see skunks, raccoons or bats in the daytime then call dispatch 893-5710 and we’ll come and take care of it. Don’t get close to the animals.”

Crawford said this is the first case of confirmed rabies in Comanche County this year.

My name is Lisa Nowlin and I am running for a position on the De Leon I. S. D. School Board. I have lived in De Leon for the past 19 years with my husband Mark Nowlin. We have two children, a son, Shalor, who graduated from De Leon High School in 2007, and a daughter, Marki, who is currently a freshman at DeLeon High School.

I am a certified public accountant with a practice located in De Leon.

I have served on the De Leon I. S. D. School Board for 9 years and the past 4 years I have served as president of the board. We are fortunate to be part of a district that is financially sound and dedicated to the children of De Leon. We have many good teachers, administrators, and support staff that believe in and work for our children.

Unfortunately our district is facing many challenges. Over the next few years our district will have to make critical decisions concerning facilities, funding, and the academic needs of our children. My desire is to provide an education for all students. Some students will pursue higher education and others will choose to immediately enter the workforce. It is imperative we provide all students with the vocational and academic tools needed to succeed. I believe my past experience on the board provides me with the expertise needed to face the upcoming challenges. My role as a concerned parent and active community member also provide additional insight to the needs of our children and our community.

Don’t Forget! The 2008 Relay For Life Comanche County is this Friday, May 2, 2008 at Comanche High School Football Stadium.

Team Registration begins at 4:00 p.m.

Opening Ceremony will be held at 6 p.m.

Survivor’s Lap is at 6:30 p.m. followed by the Team Recognition Lap.

Locks of Love is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (you can still sign up for this event).

The Luminaria Service will be after the sun sets.

A Silent Auction will be held from 6:00 p.m. until Midnight.

For more information or to make a donation contact Melanie Haile at 254-356-1515.

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