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Regional medical center reports improved operating income, presses for capital funds for CT and MRI
Summary
The hospital CEO updated the Grant County commissioners on November operational volumes, year-to-date financial performance and capital projects including a CT replacement and a federally funded MRI.
At the Jan. 9 Grant County Commission meeting, the chief executive of the county'area regional medical center, Mr. Whitaker, gave a month'and'year'to'date operations and finance briefing, reporting higher patient volumes and improved operating income compared with the prior year.
"We have 97 discharges, for the month," Whitaker said, reporting other monthly and year-to-date service metrics including increased ER visits and outpatient activity. He said surgeries for the month were 194 and that year-to-date operating revenue was roughly $41.9 million compared with $37.7 million in the prior year.
Whitaker reported a net operating income of $345,000 for November, and a year-to-date operating income of about $1.4 million versus an operating loss last year, and he gave a days-cash-on-hand figure of 134 days. He noted the hospital made capital investments late last year, including a telemetry upgrade, phone and wireless work and a new patient-bed purchase program; those capital projects totaled roughly $3,000,000.
On requested capital priorities, Whitaker said the hospital will pursue a CT-scanner replacement and expected to press the legislative session for capital outlay help. He reported the hospital had secured a $1,000,000 congressional direct appropriation from Sen. Ben Ray Luje1n toward an MRI replacement and said HRSA approval was in hand to proceed with procurement steps.
Why it matters: Whitaker said operating performance improved versus the prior year and noted the hospital intends to proceed with capital purchases whether or not outside capital aid is awarded; legislative and federal funding would reduce the facility'level capital burden.
Commissioners thanked Whitaker and asked to schedule a follow-up meeting for more detailed discussion of capital and operational issues. Several commissioners commended recent investments in EMS and staff salary increases that Whitaker had cited as part of stability and morale efforts.
Ending: Whitaker asked county leaders to coordinate on potential capital support and said construction assessments and the nurse-call system replacement remained on the near-term project list.
