By Jesef Williams - Reporter

Tom McDougal listens intently as cardiologist Mark Ciminelli discusses some of the new equipment in the cath lab at Springs Memorial Hospital.

This is the first time that McDougal, the hospital's chief executive officer, has gotten a walk-through of the room, which includes an X-ray station, information screens and about 50 different type of catheters. All of the equipment is just a few weeks old.

Moments prior to that visit to the cath lab last week, McDougal talked about the new digital-imaging system for radiology that eliminates the need for film. The hospital also now uses electronic nursing notes that provide real-time information about a patient's condition.

These additions and some other changes are part of the reason why McDougal is upbeat about the future of Springs Memorial Hospital.

McDougal, who's been at Springs Memorial since January, says the hospital's staff is committed to providing quality services for the community. The goal is for SMH to be the medical facility of choice for all Lancaster County residents.

"It's a fantastic hospital," McDougal said while sitting in his office. "I've been very impressed with the quality of the staff. I'm honored that the employees have welcomed me as their leader and one of the newest members of the team."

McDougal, 39, joined SMH after serving as CEO for five years at Parkway Medical Center in Decatur, Ala. Before, that he was CEO at L.V. Stabler Memorial Hospital in Greenville, Ala.

What attracted McDougal to Springs Memorial was its strong reputation within that network of hospitals. He says his job will be to add to the hospital's sturdy foundation and to build new relationships that can complement the existing ones.

Chief Financial Officer Julie Soekoro says McDougal's enthusiasm has made a positive impact during his first three months.

"Tom brings a lot of energy and new ideas," Soekoro said. "His strategic direction for the company is important with the changes in our economy. I think he's going to get us through."

McDougal lauds the recent opening of Springs Memorial's outpatient surgery center in Indian Land. He believes there will be an increased need to provide "infrastructure from a health and medical standpoint" in the Panhandle and other areas of the county. He says SMH staff continues to explore what other services need to be added here.

When asked about the possibility of a second hospital in Lancaster County's future, McDougal said "it's something that could be considered."

He also looks forward to the expansion of some of the hospital's popular programs, such as Senior Circle and Healthy Woman.

Emergency department changes

McDougal says the hospital's emergency department has just gone through a structural change that significantly reduces the time a person has to wait before seeing a physician.

Before it would take on average 50 minutes for a patient to enter the emergency department's door, go through triage, a nursing examination and then to screening by a physician.

Through reorganization, that average waiting time has been cut to 30 minutes, McDougal says.

"It's made a big difference in a short period of time," he said. "The time it will take a patient to drive to another hospital, they will have already seen a physician (if they were to come to SMH)."

McDougal says the hospital has changed what he calls its "customer service culture."

To help ensure patient satisfaction, a customer service representative will visit patients early during their visit.

The hospital has also begun hourly rounding, where nurses check on patients every hour from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. During the night hours, the check-ups will be done every two hours.

In the past, nurse visits were inconsistent, as the hospital saw more patient use of the call button. Those calls have reduced significantly since the hourly rounding started.

The strategy will be fully implemented by May 1.

And within the next two months, staff will focus more on house keeping – that is, making extra rounds to ensure the rooms are clean.

"As far as I'm concerned, you can never be too clean," McDougal said.

Another change at Springs Memorial will be the additional beds.

The hospital has been a 200-bed facility, but recently received permission from the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control to move up to 231 beds.

McDougal says those 31 extra beds will be added by summer, but within the next year, he believes the hospital will need to add more space for patients.

"I do anticipate it will be an issue within the next 12 months," he said.

McDougal in Lancaster

McDougal still has permanent residency in Decatur, where his two children – Mary Ann, 11, and Madden, 8 – attend school. He's renting a place here for now, and says his wife, Wendy, and children will move to Lancaster this summer.

He says he looks forward to buying a house here and truly becoming part of the community.

As for now, McDougal wants to continue meeting people and sharing information about what's happening at Springs Memorial.

He spoke at the Lancaster County Chamber of Commerce breakfast Thursday and has other upcoming dates with different civic and community groups.

His goals are to talk about the hospital's services, remind people how important the facility is and offer a glimpse of the hospital's vision for the future.