Craig Daily Press / CEO: Hospital below budget, going in right direction

Archive for Wednesday, October 25, 2006

October 25, 2006

The Memorial Hospital finished its fifth consecutive month, September, with a net gain from operations, George Rohrich told the TMH board on Wednesday night.

Even though the hospital fell short of budget by nearly $42,000 for September and inpatient and outpatient revenues are down by more than 20 percent of budget, the progress made is still positive news, said Rohrich, TMH's chief executive officer.

"Everything is headed in the right direction. Services are down, which causes revenues to be down, hence we must keep our expenses down," Rohrich said.

Also on the board agenda was a recommendation from the TMH finance committee to move $421,926.91 from the new TMH funding account into the hospital's general operating account.

"This fund was set up to be a slush fund, so that we could draw funds from it when we needed it for the new building," board member Sue Lyster said.

Member Ron Danner said, "I believe since 2000, we have been buying services such as planning, surveying and architects for the new building."

These expenses have been paid out of the general operating fund. "This move simply replenishes the operations fund," Rohrich said. "We are shifting an expense from the restricted fund to the operating fund. This will not change the balance sheet."

The board of trustees unanimously approved the transfer.

"We are still progressing," Rohrich said of the development of a new building that will house TMH on the west side of Craig.

The board approved a memorandum of understanding between the Moffat County Affiliated Junior College District and landowner Arthur Dubs. The agreement has yet to be signed by either party.

Rohrich stated at the meeting that all parties are prepared to sign, and they will host a ceremony to sign this agreement publicly within the next month.

The memo creates easements and rights of way through Dubs' property, which is in middle of the property on which Colorado Northwestern Community College and TMH are building.

TMH will pay Dubs $3,900, which is $1,390 per acre for the 2.77 acres it is purchasing.

TMH also agrees to construct a "healing garden" in recognition of Dubs' contributions to the new hospital project and development of the construction site.

Bryce Jacobson can be reached at 824-7031, ext. 206, or bjacobson@craigdailypress.com.

The Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees also:

Discussed the visit of Joint Commission on Accreditation of Health Care Organizations. The visit was prompted by a complaint submitted to JCAHO. Pamala Thompson, service excellence officer for TMH said, "We have some improvements to make. We were given a correction plan ... The deficiencies that were identified do not put patients care at risk."
Discussed beginning a strategic planning process -- a one-year plan for 2007, which will be completed by the end of 2006, and a five-year plan, which will be completed by the end of 2007.
Approve the purchase of recliners, in the amount of $7,077.
Approved the purchase of 12 security cameras in the amount of $6,200.
Approved the purchase a service agreement for the use of copiers from Capital Business Systems.
Nurse Beka Warren presented statistics regarding pain assessment throughout the hospital. Warren also presented information regarding the three types of flu -- seasonal flu, pandemic flu and avian flu. She discussed the symptoms of each type of flu and prevention ideas for each type.
Sue Lyster, board of trustees member, presented information from The Memorial Hospital Foundation. There are 17 unpaid pledges, which foundation members will try to recoup.