3D mammography machine to arrive this month
Oohs and aahs filled the room Tuesday, Aug. 25, as radiology director Tim Johnson gave a department update at a regular meeting of the East Phillips County Hospital District board of directors.
Photos and videos gave board members an idea of the great things the radiology department is doing, as well as a glimpse of where technology can take Melissa Memorial Hospital in the future.
The biggest news for the four-person radiology team is the new 3D mammography machine set to arrive mid-September. “We’ll have the best mammography machine in this corner of the state,” said Johnson.
The department is also thrilled to be working with a new CT machine that was installed at the beginning of the year.
Johnson used graphs to show board members upward trends for numbers of CTs, MRIs and mammograms performed at MMH in recent years.
“We’re doing great,” he said.
CFO hired
MMH CEO Cathy Harshbarger was pleased to report that David Applewood was hired as the hospital’s chief financial officer, with a starting date of Sept. 24.
Board member Gary Rahe inquired about the loss of some key providers in the specialty clinic, noting it was brought up as a concern by community members.
Harshbarger said the clinic is working on filling the spots and is also taking into consideration the need to provide specialists that MMH’s providers will feel comfortable referring patients to.
In Harshbarger’s report, she also said MMH is looking into working with a group called Heart Centered Counseling. The hospital is a finalist for a $100,000 grant for telemedicine. She also mentioned they will be reviewing the mission, vision and values, and the MMH business model will be changing.
Utilization levels up in July
During Tuesday’s financial report, controller Julie Vernon said utilization levels are getting back into the swing of things after the COVID-19 pandemic hit in the spring.
In comparing June utilization to July, Vernon said surgical procedures increased from 30 to 45, inpatient days rose from 17 to 31, swing bed days were up from 44 to 89, emergency department visits increased from 82 to 85, Family Practice clinic visits rose from 476 to 635 and specialty clinic visits were up from 116 to 179.
Net income for the month of July was $335,900. Year-to-date net income was $1,363,007, which was $975,783 over budget.
July’s total revenue was $2.1 million, and total expenses were $1.8 million.
MMH exceeded the budgeted amount for gross patient revenue by $151,000 in the month of July, but it was still below budget by $3 million year-to-date.
The hospital didn’t receive any additional COVID-19 relief funding in the month of July, but it did recognize grant revenue (from previous funding that had originally been recorded as a liability) in the amount of $173,000 for Small Business Administration Paycheck Protection Program loan forgiveness. Those funds have now been fully exhausted.
Vernon was happy to report 313 total days cash on hand in July, which is an increase of two from June, and 123 operating days cash on hand, which is an increase of 10.
Other business
In other business at the Aug. 25 meeting, board members:
— Reviewed Policy 2.8 regarding compensation and benefits, Policy 4.3 regarding agenda planning and Policy 3.1 regarding unity of control.
— Heard a quality committee report from Jenn Cano.
— Approved credentialing for four initial applications and 11 reappointments.
— Extended the declaration of local disaster emergency for another 30 days.
— Held a 14-minute executive session on strategy for the Holyoke Community Childcare Initiative land request.