Hospital Finances Still Sound Published: Claiborne Independent November 26, 2008 by W. Lee Brame It would be typical to write that “employees of the Claiborne County Hospital will be pleased to note that the hospital finances are sound,” but the reality is that careful management by individual supervisors are continuing to keep hospital finances in the black. Weekly performance evaluation (against the Delta standards) by managers and supervisors are key factors in October’s hospital financial performance with an overall net income of $141,000 for the month. This contrasts favorably with a net loss of $79,000 for October last year. The financial report indicated that three out of five financial cost centers (nursing home, home health care, and emergency services) operated with a profit and that losses within the hospital and employed physicians were less than expected. With tough times hitting Claiborne County residents as well, charitable services as well as bad debts were ups well for October. Board members congratulated the hospital staff and administration on their efforts to control costs and to reduce the number of claims denied by Medicare. The Medicare payment system is fairly intolerant of even minor administrative errors. After hearing several consecutive financial reports over late summer and early fall, the Hospital Board responded favorably to a request for a Christmas “bonus” for hospital employees. The Board approved a $50 dollar bonus (less taxes) for each employee. The Board decided on a bonus this year instead of a gift card to comply with payroll accounting rules. In other business, the Board approved the emergency purchase of a nurse call system in the south wing and the replacement of a colon scope that had failed and was no longer reparable. The Board also voted to appoint Lindsey Cole Cadle, of one of the two newly appointed Board members as Secretary to the Board. The position is significant in that Cadle will be added to the bank’s signature card as the Board member authorized to sign hospital checks. Russell Essary was also appointed to the Hospital Board by the County Commission this last week. Before closing, the Board voted to have a workshop that will discuss the hospital’s contract with Mercy Health Systems. The workshop is scheduled for Dec.12 at 11 a.m. at the Chamber of Commerce. The workshop is open to the public. The Board also rescheduled the December Board meeting for Dec. 16.
Hospital Board welcomes two new members Published: Claiborne Progress Wednesday, November 26, 2008 Andrea Schneider/Staff Writer TAZEWELL—The Claiborne County Hospital Board welcomed two new members at their November meeting. Russell Essary and Lindsey Cole Cadle were recently appointed by the Claiborne County Commission to fill two vacant seats on the board. During the meeting, Cadle was also elected as a board secretary. The meeting was brief as the board only had a few items to discuss. During the Administrators Report, Hospital Administrator Dan Colón reported the hospital needed to purchase a colon scope. He asked the board to give him approval to purchase the item. The board approved the purchase and instructed Colón to accept bids and go with the lowest bidder. Jessica Justice gave the hospital’s financial report informing the board the Combined Net Income for October is $141,341 compared to a budgeted Net Income of $37,525. She said areas of improvement were in repairs, which were down, in supplies, which were also down, and in volumes, which were increasing. She reported volumes were increasing significantly in labs, X-Rays, and CT’s. The board also discussed and approved the Employee Christmas Gift for this year. The date for the December Board Meeting was rescheduled from December 23 to December 16 due to the holidays.

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