Hospital
Board
Hears New Development Plans
by Andrea Schneider/Staff
Writer
Claiborne
Progress
Published:
Thursday,
October 1, 2008
TAZEWELL — The Claiborne County Hospital Board of Directors
met on the evening of September 23, 2008. During the meeting, Betsy Maples,
Director of Development for Claiborne County Hospital and Nursing Home,
presented the Medical Staff Development Plan to the board.
The plan focuses on
physician recruitment and retention, which are crucial for growth at any
hospital. It also include research on specific specialties need for this
region.
Maples discussed the
future direction of the hospital saying, "the vision of the hospital is to
evolve to a regional provider of high quality, cost effective healthcare
services and be the facility of choice for residents of its region."
The development plan
outlined steps the hospital plans to take to fulfill their vision. As a part
of the plan, a survey was taken regarding specific specialty physicians
needed in this region.
The survey results showed
an immediate need for a cardiologist, an orthopedic specialist, and a
primary care specialist. Results also showed a moderate need for specialists
in fields such as pulmonary medicine, dermatology, and gynecology.
The financial report for
the month of August 2008 was presented by controller Jessica Justice.
Justice reported combined total revenue increased slightly over the past
month and the overall contractual adjustments were good.
The combined net income of
Claiborne County Hospital and Nursing Home, which includes Home Health and
Claiborne County EMS, is $112,259 compared to a budget net loss of $92,690.
The board agrees they need
time to continue to drive these good numbers. Dan Colón,
Hospital Administrator says he is very proud of the staff and the work they
have done over the past year.
Scott Warwick was present
at the meeting to discuss the status of the Irene and Howard H Baker Cancer
Treatment Center. He said operating expenses are going down and they are
improving ways of handling money.
Warwick also reported that
over the past several months the Baker Center has more than doubled the
amount of patients being seen from 12 to 27.
He added that the Baker
Center has some new technology in the form of Intensity Modulated Radiation
Therapy (IMRT). This therapy focuses radiation on just the cancer spots and
prevents the good tissue around the spots from being exposed to radiation.
In response to a concern
about not having reports from the Baker Center in previous meetings, Warwick
said the board would be getting monthly statements to be looked over at each
meeting.
At the close of the
meeting, Mayor Joe Duncan suggested the board put together some workshop
dates to discuss the upcoming contract end with St. Mary's. He felt the
board needed to discuss whether the hospital would continue their contract
with St. Mary's or look in other directions.
Mayor Duncan also said the
workshop dates will be put in the paper so the community will be aware and
anyone will be welcome to attend. He added that all input is helpful.
