|
Low patient volume has
resulted in the Bamberg County
Memorial Hospital experiencing
its third consecutive month of
losses. “I wish I had better news
to tell you,” hospital administrator
Carl Menist told board members
at their September meeting.
Menist stated that low patient
volume continues to be a problem
experienced by other hospitals as
well in the low country area the
last few months.
Because of the reduction in
patient volume, the hospital’s
average daily census went from
11.5 in July (347 days) to 9.93 in
August (290 days) for a decrease
of 14 percent in average daily
census. Laboratory procedures
were down seven percent from
5,958 to 5,498 over the time
frame, while radiological
procedures held steady at 2,926 to
2,923. Operating room
procedures were down three
percent from 988 to 983, while
surgeries went up four percent
from July to August.
All said revenue for the
hospital remained “very flat”
down to $2.987 million in August
from $3 million in July. Net
revenues for the hospital were
down from $1.585 million in July
to $1.566 million in August. On
the positive side expenses were
$36,000 less than July for total
expenses of $1.593 million which
resulted in a $26,000 loss for the
month.
For the year the hospital has
shown a profit of $521,000. While
not expressing alarm at the three
consecutive months of losses
Menist stated that the
administration is working on
“options” to cut expenses further
if the low patient volume persists.
• Also during the meeting in
other financial matters it was
reported that the hospital’s capital
budget for 2010 was $344,000
and of that amount $184,688 was
spent. It was reported that with
$64,287 coming out of the
nursing center reserve fund, the
hospital only spent $120,401 of its
own money leaving a balance of
$223,598.74. The hospital hired a
firm to “review” its financial
statement and the next fiscal
year’s budget should be available
by next month’s meeting.
• The board gave approval to
hire architectural firm L.S. 3P to
do various work in the hospital. It
was noted that L.S. 3P would
require less architectural drawings
to do work around the hospital
which would reduce cost to the
hospital. “Their people can work
with our people,” said Finance
Committee Chair Al Palmer.
• Tuesday October 19, at
10:00 a.m. was the date and time
announced for the grand opening
of the OB-GYN Clinic. The clinic
is slated to be open on Tuesdays
and Thursdays of each week.
|
