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.
