January 26, 2017 at 2:10 a.m.
Hospital to partner with Quorum
Jay County Hospital Board
Hospital to partner with Quorum
Finances continue to be a challenge for Jay County Hospital.
On Wednesday, the board took a key step toward addressing those issues.
Jay County Hospital Board entered into an agreement with Quorum Health Resources for strategic planning for the future of the facility.
The review of hospital finances was similar to what it has been for months now, with patient revenue falling short of projections. Patient charges were about $1 million below projections for November and about $1.7 million below projections in December.
Meanwhile, expenses are on budget for the fiscal year, which began in October, leaving a deficit.
Jay County Hospital CEO Dave Hyatt noted that the facility had planned for a deficit of $360,376 at the three-month mark of the fiscal year, in part because it is traditionally a slow time. However, the actual deficit thus far is nearly $2.34 million.
“The hospital continues to be challenged with maintaining a positive cash flow,” said board member Bill Hinkle. “We are continuing to pursue growth strategies. We have ongoing strategic planning sessions to try to find ways to improve our revenue and reduce our expenses.”
The agreement with Tennessee-based Quorum Health Resources, one of several firms the hospital interviewed, is part of an effort to turn back that tide. The plan is for the board, staff and community to be involved in a strategic planning process about the future of the facility under the guidance of Elizabeth Walker, Quorum’s director of strategy and marketing.
“We all know healthcare is a team sport,” said Hyatt. “We’ve got a history here at Jay County Hospital of partnering with people who are the best at what they do so that we can offer that care locally to our patients. Now it’s time to take that a step further and analyze what other partnerships are potentially out there so we can make sure this community has access to the best care possible.”
“I’m very much looking forward to helping you guys find your way forward,” added Walker. “I’m very committed to rural and community hospitals.”
The first step in that process will be discussions with community leaders, with Walker already planning to be in Jay County several times in early February for that purpose.
Hyatt emphasized the importance of reducing expenses, including doing a better job of controlling staff when patient loads are low, and increasing revenue. One way to bring in more revenue is to attract more doctors, and thus more patients, with a focus on general surgery and orthopedics.
He noted a couple of upcoming additions, including plans for a new Convenience Care clinic to open in late February. The goal is for the facility to be open from 2 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 to noon on weekends to provide an alternative to the hospital’s emergency room.
Also, a new nurse practitioner is expected to be ready to begin seeing patients in March.
The board also approved the purchase or lease of several pieces of medical equipment, including:
•A 60-month lease with Toshiba America Medical Credit for two portable ultrasound imaging systems.
•The purchase of two Carescape B650 anesthesia monitors and five Carescape B450 anesthesia monitors for $151,923.61 from GE Healthcare.
The ultrasounds are being purchased to help expand obstetrics offerings at the hospital. All three obstetricians on staff have been trained to use an ultrasound in their offices.
An ultrasound will also be available to the emergency room for initial exams to check for internal bleeding in instances of trauma.
“This is investing in technology that improves safety, patient experience, and keeps us where we want to be for our community from a technology and patient care standpoint,” said Hyatt
In other business, the board:
•Approved the appointments of Dr. Joellen “Jody” Vormohr (internal medicine) as active staff, and Dr. Norman Jones and Dr. Faheem Hussain (both teleradiology) as courtesy staff. Also approved the reappointments of Dr. Herman Burgermeister (general surgery) as active staff and Dr. Wayne Gray (cardiology), Dr. Patsy Detamore Brush and Dr. Stephen Morse (both emergency medicine) and Dr. John Crouch, Dr. Virginia Schreiner, Dr. Brian Holmes, Dr. Koreen Potts, Dr. Laurie Gutstein, Dr. Monte Zarlingo and Dr. Donald Nicell (all teleradiology) as courtesy staff. Also approved additional privileges for Dr. Kristy Mount.
•Accepted the resignations of Dr. Tarek Gharibeh (pulmonary) and Dr. Rachel Lagos (teleradiology).
•Heard from auxiliary president Bonnie Coffel that 76 volunteers worked 1,780 hours in November and 77 volunteers worked 1,325 hours in December.
Proceeds from the Festival of Lights went toward the purchase of a recumbent bike for the hospital’s pulmonary rehabilitation center.
Coffel also noted that a scrub sale is scheduled for Feb. 17.
On Wednesday, the board took a key step toward addressing those issues.
Jay County Hospital Board entered into an agreement with Quorum Health Resources for strategic planning for the future of the facility.
The review of hospital finances was similar to what it has been for months now, with patient revenue falling short of projections. Patient charges were about $1 million below projections for November and about $1.7 million below projections in December.
Meanwhile, expenses are on budget for the fiscal year, which began in October, leaving a deficit.
Jay County Hospital CEO Dave Hyatt noted that the facility had planned for a deficit of $360,376 at the three-month mark of the fiscal year, in part because it is traditionally a slow time. However, the actual deficit thus far is nearly $2.34 million.
“The hospital continues to be challenged with maintaining a positive cash flow,” said board member Bill Hinkle. “We are continuing to pursue growth strategies. We have ongoing strategic planning sessions to try to find ways to improve our revenue and reduce our expenses.”
The agreement with Tennessee-based Quorum Health Resources, one of several firms the hospital interviewed, is part of an effort to turn back that tide. The plan is for the board, staff and community to be involved in a strategic planning process about the future of the facility under the guidance of Elizabeth Walker, Quorum’s director of strategy and marketing.
“We all know healthcare is a team sport,” said Hyatt. “We’ve got a history here at Jay County Hospital of partnering with people who are the best at what they do so that we can offer that care locally to our patients. Now it’s time to take that a step further and analyze what other partnerships are potentially out there so we can make sure this community has access to the best care possible.”
“I’m very much looking forward to helping you guys find your way forward,” added Walker. “I’m very committed to rural and community hospitals.”
The first step in that process will be discussions with community leaders, with Walker already planning to be in Jay County several times in early February for that purpose.
Hyatt emphasized the importance of reducing expenses, including doing a better job of controlling staff when patient loads are low, and increasing revenue. One way to bring in more revenue is to attract more doctors, and thus more patients, with a focus on general surgery and orthopedics.
He noted a couple of upcoming additions, including plans for a new Convenience Care clinic to open in late February. The goal is for the facility to be open from 2 to 8 p.m. on weekdays and 8 to noon on weekends to provide an alternative to the hospital’s emergency room.
Also, a new nurse practitioner is expected to be ready to begin seeing patients in March.
The board also approved the purchase or lease of several pieces of medical equipment, including:
•A 60-month lease with Toshiba America Medical Credit for two portable ultrasound imaging systems.
•The purchase of two Carescape B650 anesthesia monitors and five Carescape B450 anesthesia monitors for $151,923.61 from GE Healthcare.
The ultrasounds are being purchased to help expand obstetrics offerings at the hospital. All three obstetricians on staff have been trained to use an ultrasound in their offices.
An ultrasound will also be available to the emergency room for initial exams to check for internal bleeding in instances of trauma.
“This is investing in technology that improves safety, patient experience, and keeps us where we want to be for our community from a technology and patient care standpoint,” said Hyatt
In other business, the board:
•Approved the appointments of Dr. Joellen “Jody” Vormohr (internal medicine) as active staff, and Dr. Norman Jones and Dr. Faheem Hussain (both teleradiology) as courtesy staff. Also approved the reappointments of Dr. Herman Burgermeister (general surgery) as active staff and Dr. Wayne Gray (cardiology), Dr. Patsy Detamore Brush and Dr. Stephen Morse (both emergency medicine) and Dr. John Crouch, Dr. Virginia Schreiner, Dr. Brian Holmes, Dr. Koreen Potts, Dr. Laurie Gutstein, Dr. Monte Zarlingo and Dr. Donald Nicell (all teleradiology) as courtesy staff. Also approved additional privileges for Dr. Kristy Mount.
•Accepted the resignations of Dr. Tarek Gharibeh (pulmonary) and Dr. Rachel Lagos (teleradiology).
•Heard from auxiliary president Bonnie Coffel that 76 volunteers worked 1,780 hours in November and 77 volunteers worked 1,325 hours in December.
Proceeds from the Festival of Lights went toward the purchase of a recumbent bike for the hospital’s pulmonary rehabilitation center.
Coffel also noted that a scrub sale is scheduled for Feb. 17.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD