Ascension Making Investments to Improve and Expand Services at Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital

October 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital is upgrading and expanding services thanks to investments by Ascension, the parent organization of Saint Thomas Health.

According to Brad Mullinax, Chief Administrative Officer of Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital the improvements include a new CT scanner, pharmacy renovations, and cardiac rehab sevices among others.

“Ascension has really invested back into our hospital. We have some new renovations going on. We have a new CT scanner, a GE optima 540 that will bring some advanced technology as far as CT imaging back to the hospital. Our old machine was about 15 years old and was getting less reliable and efficient. That new CT scanner is now on line,” said Mullinax.

“Our pharmacy is also under renovation here to make us more compliant with new standards coming out from the Joint Commission next year. We’re projecting that  renovation to be finished up by the first of November,” he continued.

“After the first of the year we have a new service line coming to DeKalb in which we will be offering phase II and phase III cardiac rehab services. Any patients who have been at Saint Thomas West, Mid Town or Rutherford for cardiac procedures like stints or bypass surgery will no longer have to travel to another county to get their cardiac rehab done. That is a pretty big investment of about $100,000 that Ascension has made to make that service available and we are happy to be adding it at Saint Thomas DeKalb,” added Mullinax.

“We have more new equipment coming our way soon for pulmonary function testing and new IV pumps that will be more focused on safety and quality for the patients to help prevent any kind of medication errors”.

“Middle Tennessee Emergency Physicians has also taken over our emergency room services. They have been in the Rutherford and Mid Town West area for about 25 years and they are here now providing 24/7 care”.

“We’re excited about these investments Ascension has made into our hospital to better serve the people in our community,” said Mullinax.

October 6, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

Nearly a quarter of a million people will be diagnosed with breast cancer this year. Chances are you’ll know at least one of those people. It could even be you.

In conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Hospital,  Ascension Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital is offering a $94.00 mammogram special during the month of October. To take advantage of it call the hospital at 615-215-5000 and follow the prompts to schedule your visit and make your payment at www.mdsave.com.

“It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we are offering a special through our radiology program here at Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital. We are offering a 2D (two dimensional) screening mammography during the month of October for anyone who wants to come in. The cost is $94.00 for the procedure and radiologist reading the exam. That is a flat fee and you pay it through  www.mdsave.com.,” said Brad Mullinax, Chief Administrative Officer of Saint Thomas DeKalb Hospital.

“Last year we partnered with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to bring awareness and promote screening of Breast Cancer for the month of October and this year we are really trying to follow up on that and push this to improve the lives and health of our community,” said Mullinax.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. A mammogram can detect cancer early, when it is most treatable.

October 5, 2019
By: Dwayne Page

A man arrested in February for breaking into a candy vending machine and caught with methamphetamine was sentenced in Criminal Court Monday.

34 year old Michael Pierre Rose entered a plea to theft under $1,000 and simple possession of a schedule II drug. He received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days in each case to serve concurrently and with a General Sessions court case against him. He was given jail credit of 307 days and he must pay a fine of $750 and make restitution.

Smithville Police were called to Park & Wash Laundry Mat on February 27 to investigate the theft of a candy vending machine and the vandalism of three security cameras.  Officers reviewed the video footage and saw Rose committing the crimes. Warrants were issued for his arrest and police found him later that day. While placing Rose in handcuffs the officer learned that Rose had something in his cigarette pack.  Inside the pack, the officer found a crystal-like substance that field tested positive for methamphetamine. Rose was issued a citation for simple possession but Rose refused to sign it. A warrant was then issued for his arrest for simple possession.

In other cases, 43 year old Tyrone Owens entered a plea to sale of a schedule II drug (methamphetamine) and received an 8 year sentence to serve concurrently with other cases against him.

50 year old Shannon Tayes entered a plea to reckless endangerment and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on supervised probation.

47 year old Kristie Shehane entered a plea to a 2^nd offense of driving under the influence. She received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on supervised probation except for 45 days to serve. She may be furloughed to treatment after serving 15 days. Her license has also been suspended pursuant to Tennessee Department of Safety regulations.

38 year old Julian Guerrero Soto entered a plea to driving under the influence and received a sentence of 11 months and 29 days on supervised probation except for 48 hours to serve. He may serve his time in a DUI education center.