The Bradley County Medical Center Board of Directors met Thursday, Sept. 24, and reviewed improved financial results, continued growth in swing-bed services and several upcoming projects during its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday.
Controller Matt Pace reported that August was a stronger month for the hospital, with most business areas showing improvement. Home health was the exception, with activity slightly below the previous month.
Gross patient revenue was approximately $3.7 million, while net operating revenue was about $1.8 million. The hospital reported a monthly operating loss of approximately $143,000, although administrators noted the results represented one of the smallest operating losses seen in recent months. Pace also stated that $130,000 was added to the sales tax fund in the month of August.
The hospital also collected approximately $1.7 million in cash through Sept. 23, putting collections on pace for one of the strongest months in recent history.
CEO/CFO Leslie Huitt said the improved revenue and cash collections have continued into September, with patient revenue projected to again reach approximately $3.7 million.
Huitt highlighted the performance of the home health department, noting that accounts receivable days over 90 days remained at zero and overall accounts receivable days were approximately 28. The department also continues to collect more cash than the cost of operating the service. Home health volume dipped in August but had begun increasing again in September.
Huitt stated the Rural Health Clinic activity also continued to grow in August with Dr. Gregory having 19 new patients and Dr. Biggers with 15 new patients. Huitt said schedules continue to show a steady stream of new patients.
Some patients are coming from outside the hospital’s traditional service area, while others are residents who previously did not have a primary care provider.
The hospital is also preparing for the end of its fiscal year on Sept. 30. Officials said the coming weeks will include preparation of the annual budget, inventory, cost reports and audits. In addition, the hospital is preparing to onboard a new revenue-cycle vendor beginning Nov. 1.
CNO Jamie Wolfe stated that swing-bed services were helping improve revenue and collections. Wolfe said the hospital has averaged approximately four swing-bed patients per day, with the service generating an important source of revenue for the medical center.
Wolfe also recognized the work of the therapy departments, including physical, occupational and speech therapy staff, in helping patients meet the requirements necessary to remain in the swing-bed program. He said therapy staff frequently have to be persistent and creative when working with patients who may not feel well or may initially be reluctant to participate in rehabilitation.
A multidisciplinary meeting is held each morning to review swing-bed patients, their progress and discharge plans.
Wolfe went on to say that the hospital recently implemented new telemetry monitoring equipment for the emergency department and medical-surgical unit. The new equipment allows the medical-surgical unit to monitor up to eight patients, compared with six previously, while also providing updated functionality and equipment expected to remain useful for years.
COO Leeanna Williams updated the board on recently awarded Rural Health Transformation funding obtained through partnerships with the Arkansas Rural Health Partnership and other organizations.
Approximately $250,000 will support Innovator Health telemedicine services, which officials hope will allow specialists to consult with patients remotely and reduce the need to transfer some patients to Little Rock or other larger medical centers simply for a consultation.
Another approximately $125,500 will support reopening and renovating the hospital’s former intensive outpatient therapy facility, including recruitment efforts.
Through a partnership with the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, BCMC also received approximately $100,000 for information technology infrastructure improvements. Officials said the funding will help prepare the hospital’s technology infrastructure for expanded telehealth services and address areas where connectivity has been unreliable.
Williams also highlighted several upcoming community events.
BCMC is partnering with Commercial Bank for a tailgate event connected to the Warren-Monticello football game.
The hospital’s radiology department also is preparing for “Pink in the Park,” scheduled for Oct. 3 at 10 a.m. at the city park. The breast cancer awareness event will include entertainment, speakers and activities for children, including bounce houses and face painting. Community members will also have an opportunity to schedule mammograms during the event.
Members also discussed renewal of a lease involving a DaVita Dialysis. The lease includes a 2 percent annual increase tied to the consumer price index. Huitt said the provider had not previously applied increases allowed under the existing agreement but agreed to the contractual 2 percent increase moving forward.
The board also approved moving forward with a project to replace outdated pneumatic controls for the air-conditioning system serving the hospital’s operating rooms.
The estimated cost of the project is $126,434 and is included in the hospital’s capital budget for the upcoming fiscal year. The project will be subject to the required bidding process.
Administrators explained that the existing controls are outdated and increasingly difficult to repair because replacement parts are becoming unavailable. Updating the system is important because operating rooms require precise environmental controls, including maintaining appropriate temperature, airflow and positive pressure to protect the sterile environment.
The board approved proceeding with the project and required bidding process.
The board approved annual policy and procedure manuals for the radiology and risk-management departments. With no further business, the board dismissed into executive session. The next Bradley County Medical Center board meeting will be Thursday, Oct. 22, at 12:30 p.m.
