SMH BOARD: Inpatient admissions up, as are expenses

Angela Christesen was recently brought on as director of quality for SMH. Her main focus is to ensure plans are in place for surveys and other quality assurance.

Numbers for inpatient admissions in December of 2022 were attributed to the season, totaling 119, over 60 compared to December 2021. Swingbed days totaled 186, over the 85 budgeted.

Long-term care still has a long waiting list. Forty patients were transferred from the emergency department and 60 were admitted.

Cash projections are approximately $2.4 million in January. Salaries and wages are higher due to the increase at the clinic with new providers and an increase in staffing due to patient volume and holiday pay. Totaling $1.143 million, the amount is approximately $200,000 higher than budgeted. A decrease was noted in supplies as the contract with HPG continues to lower costs. The days cash on hand is lower, year-to-date settling at 33, after the average of 54 in 2022.

Two full-time night nursing positions and one full-time nursing position are available.

A human resources update was given. There were 12 new hires between November and December, with 10 leaving employment. Noteworthy hires include a lab director, director of quality/risk management and a business development coordinator.

It was noted that some wages are reaching pre-pandemic levels.

The hospital foundation is hosting a cornhole tournament March 11, and the annual golf tournament is scheduled for June 2.

Three people filed for the open seat in the April election. It was noted that two withdrew, due to not residing in the district of the open seat.

Visitors were present at the meeting, including Gina White, a 38-year employee who had several questions about insurance and payments. The insurance broker has been contacted and the enrollment error is being addressed for the employees affected.

A wrap will be installed on two of the new ambulances soon.

The next SMH board meeting is Feb. 21. The employee awards banquet is planned for Feb. 24 with a prom theme.

• Salem Memorial Hospital Board of Directors met for a special board meeting Jan. 10. Financial standings were discussed for the month of November, since no board meeting was held in December.

Year-to-date expenses totaled $1.05 million, more than the $622,500 budgeted.

Special attention was brought to the total amount of accounts payable. The current year totals $2.171 million, which is $1.055 million less than the previous year.

The census has been low and high. With these numbers, it is difficult to keep staff without overtime.

“The clinic had an amazing month,” said Joe Ann Hammond-Baue, SMH controller.

Charity Gott started with SMH and is “looking at patients to see who can stay, actively pulling patients, and watching patients to bring them back here, if needed,” shared chief executive office Wayne Reid. “Our swing beds continue to be a large factor.”

Board member Ray Bruno raised several concerns about insurance and billing.

The board moved to go to closed session, and then returned back to open session before moving to go back to closed session again, with two no votes from board members AJ Seay and Willie Strader.