The hospital is off to a record breaking pace in 2017, bursting through its monthly budgets for February and notching major year-to-date gains. The news came during the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors regular monthly meeting March 21. Among the specific figures highlighted by Chief Financial Officer Monica Gargus is that last month the hospital passed the $1 million gain threshold, whereas at this time last year they endured a $1 million loss.
“We had an outstanding month in February,” Gargus said. “We are way ahead of our budget.”
The total patient revenue for February was $4.4 million, far exceeding the budgeted expectation of $3.3 million. Year-to-date, patient revenue has increased by almost $5 million. The days cash on hand measure also now stands at 85, which is more than double than the 2015 monthly average of 38.
The summary of operations report indicated higher patient volume helped drive up the hospital’s finances.
Inpatient admissions for February stood at 91 versus a budgeted expectation of 77. Census days were 365 versus an expectation of 204. There were 162 more emergency room visits than budgeted as well as 530 outpatients registered. Year-to-date those numbers were also up with a total of 497 more emergency room visits recorded at his point than last year.
February also saw a monthly increase in expenses with $1.64 million versus a budgeted expectation of $1.58 million. However, Gargus said the bump was nothing to get excited about.
• Hospital Administrator Kasey Lucas reported the City of Salem has approached the SMDH administration with an offer to extend sewer services to the hospital’s campus. The board discussed the proposal and asked Lucas to invite representatives from the city to speak with them so they can learn more about the opportunity.
• Lucas reported the next community health screening will be May 10-11 at the Community Center @ the Armory. The SMDH Foundation will hold its next fundraiser on May 5 at the Spring Creek Golf Club as part of its annual golf tournament. The foundation’s next meeting will be May 10. The hospital auxiliary will hold its next meeting April 4 at the Armory with lunch provided. The upcoming auxiliary fundraisers include Scrub Hub on March 31, Shoe Road Productions on May 3 and Masquerade Jewelry Aug. 31 and Sept. 1 at the Dent County Fire Station. Lucas also reported the hospital will be represented at the upcoming Girls Night Out event and the upcoming business expo.
• Board member George Gruendel reported he resented attended a meeting of the Healthy Dent County Prevention Coalition. Gruendel said there will soon be a lot of movement to address the issue of drug and alcohol abuse.
• Lucas reported the first contribution to the hospital’s new OneAmerica retirement plan was made March 17. The hospital will be holding a finance committee meeting at 11:30 April 11. Lucas also reported the hospital will be pursuing USDA grants for the potential replacement of the hospital’s roof and generator.
• The board voted to approve three purchases including a three replacement Zoll defibrillators at a cost of $49,344, a replacement Stryker emergency department stretcher at a cost of $5,134 and a four additional Direct Supply acute care vital sign monitors at a cost of $8,212.
