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Hilo Regional Medical Center reports rising patient encounters, capital projects and state reimbursements
Summary
Hospital CEO reported higher ER and outpatient use, swing-bed growth and state reimbursements received under SB 161 and HDAA; the hospital said it received $700,000 in capital outlay for a new CT scanner and continues several federally funded facility projects.
Hilo Regional Medical Center officials updated the county commission on facility activity, revenue and capital projects during the April 10 meeting.
Hospital representative Whitaker told commissioners that discharges and deliveries remain roughly even with last year, while swing-bed days are ‘‘significantly over’’ last year and emergency department and outpatient visits are increasing. He said the hospital is on track for more than 90,000 patient encounters for the fiscal year. For the month of February the hospital reported $8.5 million in operating revenue and a monthly surplus of $345,000; year-to-date surplus was reported at about $2.7 million. Whitaker said those figures exclude certain state program dollars.
On state assistance, Whitaker reported Hilo has received about $2.4 million in SB 161 reimbursements (the program was described as having a $5.7 million reimbursement pool) and about $6 million in HDAA cash payments to date. He said the hospital received $700,000 in state capital outlay in the most recent legislative session to replace a CT scanner. Hospital projects in progress include MRI and OR HVAC work (federal projects) and replacement of outpatient and ER registration areas; the hospital has an architectural agreement in place for those renovations. Whitaker also said the hospital has finished several other grant projects (telephone and telemetry) and expects to complete a nurse-call upgrade by June. The hospital board has signed a contract with Ovation Healthcare for management and consulting services. Whitaker added that general-surgery coverage expanded with Dr. Lamore starting in March and that the facility will celebrate hospital week May 11–17.
Whitaker closed by describing workforce training and recognition programs, mock-survey preparation ahead of the Joint Commission accreditation survey in 2026, and ongoing EMS support for county events.
