Bradley County Medical Center administrators reported continued growth in several key service areas during the hospital’s July board meeting, highlighted by a significant increase in swing bed utilization, while also warning that statewide hospital bed shortages are creating lengthy delays in transferring patients to higher levels of care.
Chief Executive Officer Leslie Huitt presented the hospital’s monthly financial and operational report, noting that patient volumes increased in several departments compared with June 2025.
The most notable improvement came in the hospital’s swing bed program, which increased from 10 patient-days in June 2025 to 74 in June 2026. Huitt credited the growth to marketing efforts and close coordination between hospital staff and case managers at other healthcare facilities.
She said swing beds remain an important source of revenue for critical access hospitals while helping stabilize hospital census. “Successful critical access hospitals have thriving swing bed programs,” Huitt told the board.
Physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy also posted year-over-year increases, as did emergency room visits, radiology services and Rural Health Clinic visits. Home Health surpassed 1,000 patient visits for the second consecutive month.
Huitt said increased swing-bed utilization was the primary driver of higher monthly revenue. Although gross revenue increased by approximately $350,000 from the previous month, net patient revenue rose by about $95,000 after contractual adjustments and collection allowances were applied.
Operating expenses declined slightly from May, allowing the hospital to reduce its monthly operating loss by approximately $70,000.
The Rural Health Clinic added 43 new patients during June. Dr. Bradley Biggers accounted for 22 of those new patients.
Huitt also reported Bradley County Medical Center received $115,468.90 in county sales tax revenue for the month.
Chief Nursing Officer Jamie Wolfe discussed an increasing challenge affecting healthcare facilities across Arkansas: transferring patients to hospitals with available specialty beds.
Wolfe said the hospital is experiencing delays comparable to those seen during the COVID-19 pandemic, with some patients remaining in the medical-surgical unit for several days while staff makes repeated attempts to locate an accepting facility.
Wolfe said the delays increase financial strain on the hospital by extending observation stays and inpatient days while also creating additional challenges for patients awaiting specialized care.
Hospital leaders said the issue is affecting facilities statewide and is not unique to Bradley County Medical Center, with hospitals throughout Arkansas competing for limited bed availability in larger medical centers.
The board also received an update on the hospital’s Senior Care unit. Administrators reported the unit had recently returned to near capacity after targeted marketing efforts and an increase in referrals from surrounding communities, including Monticello, Crossett, Camden, Hampton and Pine Bluff.
Officials noted that Bradley County Medical Center continues to attract radiology patients from neighboring communities because of shorter wait times and positive physician feedback.
The emergency department also received positive reviews following the addition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurse B.J. Kidwell. Administrators said both patients and staff have responded favorably to his care.
Chief Operating Officer Leeanna Williams highlighted continued growth in the cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation program, which surpassed 100 patient visits during June. They noted that many patients cannot begin rehabilitation immediately following cardiac procedures because physicians typically require a recovery period before therapy starts.
Williams also reported four registration employees have completed the Healthcare Financial Management Association’s Certified Revenue Cycle Representative program as part of an ongoing effort to improve front-end registration processes and strengthen the hospital’s overall revenue cycle.
During the meeting, the board approved annual policy updates covering respiratory services, swing bed operations and utilization review.
Following the regular meeting, the board adjourned into executive session. The next Bradley County Medical Center Board of Directors meeting will be Thursday, Aug. 27, at 12:30 p.m.
