Dickinson County Memorial Hospital (Theresa Proudfit/Daily News photo)

IRON MOUNTAIN — An emergency department renovation at Dickinson County Memorial Hospital will be designed to provide a safer, improved patient experience, hospital officials said Friday.

The hospital board Thursday authorized a project of up to $1 million. The planned renovations include glass partitioned private treatment rooms with negative air pressure, a high level respiratory triage area, an updated heating, venting and air conditioning system, and new flooring.

“This is a great enhancement for our area’s only emergency department that every day provides essential lifesaving services,” Board Trustee David Brisson said. “It provides the residents of our community and many of our surrounding communities access to the most updated, safest, state of the art facility to treat any emergency that pops up.”

In other action, the Dickinson County Healthcare System Board of Trustees approved a financial report for August that showed $8,387,805 in total operating revenue and operating expenses totaling $8,381,873, resulting in operating income of $5,932.

After the calculation of non-operating revenue and expenses, August closed with a bottom line of $24,388, bringing the year-to-date bottom line to a positive $3,918,115.

Dr. Eric Toth and members of the emergency department team provided an update on the new telestroke program in place at the hospital. In a collaborative effort with St. Vincent Hospital in Green Bay, Wis., the program offers patients greater access to specialty physicians at all times, improved neurology response times, and helps avoid unnecessary transfers.

Chuck Nelson, DCHS president and CEO offered the following:

— The Dickinson Regional Heart Care Clinic, with Dr. Clay Shaker and his team, will start seeing patients in the new clinic Sept. 30, located in the Dickinson Medical Building, suite No. 115.

— A urology clinic is opening Monday in suite No. 325 in the Dickinson Medical Building.

— Adrienne Chase has been hired as corporate compliance officer and Mandy Shelast will join the staff as vice president of physicians services.

Data reviewed for August showed that DCHS cared for 144 inpatients along with 12,472 patients in the outpatient hospital setting. In addition, 7,192 patients were seen in physician offices. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, visitor restrictions remain in place. Pandemic updates are available at https://www.dchs.org/about-us/covid-19-news-and-updates.

On behalf of The Dickinson County Hospital Foundation, Board Chairwoman Margaret Minerick shared a message from Foundation Director Tamara Juul thanking everyone involved in the golf outing Sept. 10. Next year’s event will be held Sept. 9 at Pine Grove Country Club.