HERMANN — The relationship between Hermann Area District Hospital and Missouri University Health has grown stronger.

The hospital’s Board of Directors last Monday week approved an expansion of services by MU Health through a one-year contract adopted at the board’s regular monthly session. Administrator Bill Hellebusch noted that the contract extends services by MU Health in the Emergency Room to include services on the inpatient medical and surgical floor.

The two organizations originally entered an agreement in November of 2022 making MU Health the sole professional provider for the Emergency Room.

Last Fall, Hellebusch issued a Request For Proposals (RFP) for expanding the clinical coverage to include all acute and medical observation patients admitted to the hospital in addition to Emergency Room coverage. That RFP was issued to three other organizations, but MU Health was selected as the provider after establishing a good track record with the hospital in recent years, the administrator said.

HADH officials cited several advantages about staying with MU Health for clinical coverage, including continuity of care for Emergency Room patients who are admitted to the hospital, MU Health having a good track record and reputation in the Hermann community and having a good working relationship with MU Health for the last three years.

“These, coupled with the fact that the two parties share a common electronic medical record (system) made MU Health an obvious choice to seamlessly assist HADH in providing high-quality care to Hermann and surrounding communities,” Hellebusch said.

The contract extension was a pleasant cap on the meeting for Board President Dale Ridder, who was recognized by hospital staff attending the meeting as he celebrated his birthday.

In another MU Health-related matter, Hellebusch told the directors that a MU physician assistant wants to perform his residency at HADH, and that he wants to work in Hermann.

“I think it’s only a good thing,” the administrator said.

Meanwhile, Hellebusch noted that the hospital’s administration will be paying more attention to the facility’s needs, pointing to the lingering elevator upgrade that’s needed, as well as other areas of the operation. A full restoration of the lift is projected to cost about $160,000.

“Right now, the elevator is working,” he said.

To be determined is whether the elevator will be rehabbed or replaced.

Also, he advised the directors that the air handlers on the roof soon will need attention. The units “are starting to fail,” he said.

The parking lot also is in need of attention, he added. “We definitely have some areas that are concerning,” he said.

Hellebusch said the administration will start being more proactive regarding the facility’s needs, rather than acting once a problem develops.

“We need to start looking at that,” he said.