Chief Financial Officer Monica Gargus reported to the Salem Memorial District Hospital Board of Directors April 19 that March was a good financial month for the institution.
The monthly budget was exceeded in nearly every revenue line item on the operating statement. The hospital inpatient total was $677,729 versus an expectation of $442,988. Outpatient revenue was $3,035,274 versus an expectation of $2,806,927. Although the deductions from revenue were higher than expected, the net operating revenue was nearly $100,000 over the budgeted amount.
The summary of operations report indicates this higher revenue amount was due to an increase in patient volume. There were 32 more emergency room visits than what was budgeted, 15 more inpatients admitted and 128 more inpatient census days than expected.
The hospital also kept expenses down by more than $60,000 for the month.
Hospital administrator Kasey Lucas reported the Director of the Popular Bluff VA Medical Center Dr. Patricia Ten Haaf has emailed him in reference to the Salem VA Clinic. Lucas said Ten Haaf informed him she in now planning to attend Veteran’s Affairs Day in Salem Friday and would like to meet to discuss potentially expanding the clinic. Lucas said he will schedule a meeting.
• Chief Nursing Officer Mary Lou Brooks reported the top three health problems in the community indicated by the community health needs assessment are alcohol/drug abuse, cancer and obesity. A total of 73 percent of respondents said alcohol/drug abuse was a top three problem followed by 35 percent saying cancer and 35 percent saying obesity. The results are based on 832 survey responses. More data will be available in connection to the survey by the end of May. Brooks also reported the untick trend in patient volume was reflected in the acute care and nursing services. The critical access length of stay, acute care patients per day and surgical services were all above budget. The EMS service was also busy with 45 more ambulance runs than budgeted and 33 more patients transported than budgeted.
• Lucas reported the hospital auxiliary met April 5 with 11 members attending. The group is planning for four fundraisers this year including Books are Fun in the hospital library Sept. 7, Masquerade Jewelry at the Dent County Fire Station Sept. 22-23, Purse-palooza at the Dent County Fire House Oct. 13-14 and Scrubs and Beyond in the hospital library Oct. 27. The next auxiliary meeting will be noon May 3 at the Salem Community Center @ the Armory. Lucas also reported the hospital is expanding its community marketing and perception by taking out ads on three more FM radio stations including KKID 92.9, KXMO 95.3 and JACK 103.1. The hospital is also now advertising its services in the Reynolds County Courier and Three Rivers Publishing. The next health screening dates will be May 11-12 and Sept. 14-15. The hospital participated in the Salem Chamber of Commerce Business Expo Saturday and the Missouri S&T Health and Wellness Expo April 9. Lucas reported the hospital’s annual strategic meeting will be June 10-12 at the Lodge of the Four Seasons.
• The SMDH Foundation will be holding its annual golf tournament May 9 at Spring Creek Golf Club. The teams are four persons each at a cost of $300 per team or $75 per individual with lunch and dinner included.
• The board voted unanimously to purchase a replacement Hillyard floor buffer at a cost of $1,098, a Sawyer Mailing System at a cost of $18,360 and an A&W Communications extender unit at a cost of $13,408.
• The board voted to purchase a replacement General Electric CT Scanner at a cost of $604,061 with board member Ray Bruno dissenting.
• The board authorized the sale of a three-point mower as a surplus item.
