Newman Regional Health’s financial numbers are looking up since the hospital implemented its labor management plan, trustees learned during Wednesday’s monthly board meeting.
Holly French, chief financial officer for Newman, said salaries and wages are seeing a significant improvement.
“We have had four labor productivity pay periods that we have exceeded our labor productivity projections,” French told the board.
According to a written report, the salaries are favorable to budget by $161,843 and employee benefits are running $27,486 under budget.
“This is due to decreased volumes and increased efficiencies in staffing,” the written report stated.
The hospital saw an operating income of $233,782 for the month of April. Net income for the month was $261,453 compared to the budgeted income of $142,730. Year-to-date loss is $513,185. The hospital had budgeted an income of $306,614.
French said patient accounts in account receivable has improved dramatically. The average days in receivable is 40.5 for the month of April.
“We’re continuing to focus some attention to turnaround time for documentation and coding,” French said.
Only about 20 percent of hospitals operate below 45 days in accounts receivable, said Robert Driewer, chief executive officer of Newman.
In other business:
• Board members approved a capital equipment purchase in the amount of $53,363 for a glucose monitoring system. The monitoring system measures blood sugar levels in patients. The equipment the hospital uses is no longer compatible with the system results are downloaded to.
• The board heard a presentation about the 2009 registered nurse education program. The hospital will be implementing mandatory RN continuing education, which began on May 11. About 60 of 150 RNs have completed the course.
spectator (anonymous) says...
Why was the recent article by the ceo about the alleged wonderful hospital and all the negative comments removed ? ?
May 28, 2009 at 7:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gooseylucy (anonymous) says...
Yeah spec, I was wondering the same thing. It was getting quite a few interesting posts, and then it just disappeared. Hmmm....it makes you wonder, did NRH Admin have it pulled? Just like they are telling NRH staff not to sign a letter dealing with some grievances or else???? Last I knew, we still lived in the "land of the free". But perhaps not.
May 29, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
hawks422 (anonymous) says...
It's nice to see the hospital doing better...but I'm affraid it's a little to late...the hospital's reputation around town of poor service & the disrepecting of many of it's employees has possibly ruined it's chance for recovery! The tough choices were made but many people go else where for service...they rather spend a little more than put up with what is offered to them in emporia...I hope for the sake of the employees who are left... the hospital can get back to profitablitly or else more people will be left without work...thats the last thing the city needs is more people out of work!
May 29, 2009 at 9:29 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gooseylucy (anonymous) says...
Oh yeah, I'm sure they will get back to profitability. But, at what cost? Right now they are cutting staff hours to the bone. This includes not only nursing, but all supporting staff. Patient care will suffer. Has NRH Admin cut their hours or their pay?? (I know, that's a silly question.) But they have enough $$ to buy yet another house. Wow!! Does anyone else see what's wrong with this pictue??
May 29, 2009 at 10:52 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
spectator (anonymous) says...
The in-the-trenches staff is taking the nasty end of the stick yet again and it's reflected in patient care. Last week the outpatient department 'doctor', and I use that term only because someone saw fit to give him a piece of paper, was rude, demeaning and downright nasty not only to a nurse, but also a patient and a family member. My family knows that I'll go to nrh only if I won't survive the trip to Topeka in a private vehicle. And then they better think twice. I wouldn't want to be in court for battery on the greg-house-wannabe.
May 29, 2009 at 12:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dhcc66 (anonymous) says...
funny, i thought this was a "county" hospital that was loosely associated with county government....which means, as most government entities do....that they are a non-profit business. i can see them wanting profits to maintain equipment and appearance and to improve the quality of patient care, but i think they have gotten a little to carried away with the profit side and a little to removed from the quality of care side.
May 29, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
seriouslyfolks (anonymous) says...
All will be fixed when the federal government takes over health care. Be patient.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C97P1...
May 29, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )