Monday's Internet Edition, September 06, 2010.
on target for late June opening
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| JUNIOR HIGH INVENT AMERICA WINNERS – Students at Hamilton Junior High were notified recently of awards they received from last year’s Invent America Contest. Pic-tured are Shelby Rogers, honorable mention for Bloat-B-Gone ($1,000 savings bond); Josh Zschiesche, second place for Historical Marker Buff ($500 savings bond) and Will Lamb, third place for Flavor Cups ($250 savings bond). |
“The patients and staff have been amazing,” said Clinic Director Barbara Herring. “Everything is going smoothly, and everyone is excited and anxious to see it completed.”
Clinic employees moved into the new portion of the clinic about three weeks ago. Temporary walls were erected, which virtually eliminated the reception area and halved the waiting area.
“We had to move out of the old part, then we will have to move some people back into it when the remodel is complete,” Herring explained. “But it is worth it, because it is going to be so nice when it is finished.”
“It’s very noisy,” agreed Lab Director Joyce Ward. “There are sometimes jackhammers right on the other side of the wall.
“It’s hard to look through a microscope with that,” she joked, “but it sure will be nice when it is completed.”
At the new Wellness Center, the therapy pool has been filled and is being tested. Staff members are being instructed regarding pool maintenance, flooring is being installed, and hospital officials are targeting the end of this month for a grand opening/open house.
“I have to commend our Plant Services and clinic staff,” Administrator Jim Shafer told the Board of Directors on Friday. “They have been well organized and have planned well to keep this project moving forward. They worked into the night to get everything moved into the new portion of the clinic.”
In their regular monthly meeting, the board re-elected last year’s officer slate by acclamation, retaining Neil Muxworthy as president and Bill Craig as vice-president and re-appointing Maria Weaver as secretary. Since there was no election, unopposed candidates Muxworthy, Doug Forrest and Robert Witzsche were sworn in for another term.
The board approved a recommendation of the Medical Staff to expand the credentials of Dan Werlinger, CRNA, Director of Anesthesia and Pain Management, to include facet joint injections.
In her financial report, Chief Financial Officer Michele Cathey reported revenues for April were $2.9 million with adjustments of $1,684,949 and expenses of $1,174,577, resulting in net income of $152,696.
There were 147 hospital admissions in April for an average daily census of 17. There were 1,994 visits to the rural health clinic and 445 emergency room visits.
Cathey said that gross revenues for the year are at 68%, net patient revenue is at 61% and expenses are at 58%, which is on target for seven months into the year. Year-to-date census is up 9%, clinic visits up 4% and ER visits up 9%; however, it was noted that visits have been down in May.
The directors also voted to accept a proposal from Scott & White for employee insurance coverage for 2008-2009 and proposed renewal of the Emergency Medical Services agreement with Hico.