The Board of Trustees’ eyes are on the future at Newman Regional Health as lengthy talks took place during Wednesday afternoon’s meeting at the hospital.
The hospital recently announced a restructuring plan intended to revive the hospital's dwindling income. The plan includes several changes to services at the hospital, including eliminating Newman Home Health, the employee assistance program and Recovery Road.
During the board meeting, the hospital’s February financial report was discussed. Inpatient revenues were under budget for the month by $1,425,236 due to decreased patient days and admissions in nearly all services. Patient days fell 448 under the budget amount and admissions fell under by 72. Outpatient revenues fell short as well by $471,602. The hospital experienced a operating loss of $358,338 for the month. Net operating revenue was unfavorable by $1,098,142. Year to date net loss was $886,659. The budgeted net loss was $122,156.
Following the financial report, board member Don Bailey said the top priority for the hospital is excellent patient care and a minimization of staff reductions. The board also discussed the formation of a Public Building Commission, which would save the hospital $300,000 per year.
“That’s four full-time registered nurses,” Bailey said.
The formation of a public building commission must gain Lyon County Commission approval. Total savings could be $3 million. The issue is still being studied by both parties.
The board also talked about 10 years of hospital history including how much the hospital billed for in the past 10 years. The hospital billed for $634,000,000 and 40 percent of that was written off. The hospital also has given $10,000,000 worth of charity care in the past 10 years and has saved the taxpayers $4 million by not taking their allotted tax levy of two mills.
In other business:
• The board approved a capital equipment purchase of $42,562 for ICU/telemetry monitoring equipment.
• The board discussed the facilities master plan, which will be presented in August. The master plan will use a firm to evaluate current and projected workloads; hours of operation; services provided; assessment of current space allocations and associated limitations; identifying space availability for present needs and future growth; site analysis; code deficiencies; immediate needs/issues; present mechanical and plumbing issue. The consultant will be asked to provide reports based on the above information gathered as well as benchmarking information.
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Joe_Strummer (anonymous) says...
$300,000 equals 4 full time nurses? Not in Emporia Kansas. Closer to 6-8 nurses. I think you would be hard pressed to find anyone but the CNO of the hospital making this kind of coin.
March 25, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
busybody (anonymous) says...
Don Bailey needs to get his facts straight. $300,000 equals 4 full-time nurses. HA !! They would be having to make $75,000 per year and that isn't happening. Maybe it is that kind of money sense that has gotten the hospital in trouble.
March 27, 2009 at 12:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
My wife was a full time RN at Newmans and she sure as H... didn't make this kind of money. What financial report is Bailey looking at? If Bailey has this kind of money, maybe he can direct some to the worthless ER.
March 27, 2009 at 11:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )