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Financial picture improves for FMC
Though the hospital is treating fewer patients, its overall fiscal health continues to improve.
That's the word from new hospital administrator Blake Kramer, who delivered Franklin Medical Center's financial report to the board of commissioners at its regular meeting Thursday.
Kramer attributed the improving financial picture to increased revenues and improved efficiency.
"The numbers all move in the right direction," Kramer told the board Thursday. "Income was up on just about every aspect of the hospital's operations."
So far in 2009, the hospital is posting a loss of more than $267,000. That's not bad news, according to Kramer.
"These aren't horrible numbers, considering we are in the slow period," Kramer said. "In the summer months we just don't see a whole lot."
Kramer noted a significant portion of the loss was due to a higher-than-expected chargeback from Medicare.
Periodically, Medicare reviews payments made to hospitals and requests refunds for over-payments. During the past couple of months, Kramer said that figure increased.
"That was a little higher than expected and it cut into the revenue quite a bit," Kramer said.
The overall picture of services at the hospital continues to improve, though, and Kramer said that should be good news to the board.
"Every single service line for the hospital had an upsurge in income," Kramer said.
In other business, Kramer said the state has made some progress in freeing up funds approved for the establishment of a clinic in Crowville.
The funds were approved by the Legislature in 2007 and have been tied up as plans for the clinic move between the various state agencies involved.
Kramer said the state Dept. of Health and Hospitals has signed off on the plans, which should move the project forward.
Also, the proposed clinic has a strong supporter, according to Kramer.
"The good news is that the Governor's office has gotten involved and is trying to make sure these things happen like they should," Kramer said.
The board of commissioners also approved the purchase of two new anesthesia machines to replace aging equipment.
The two systems will cost almost $70,000, but the purchase was made necessary because the manufacturer will cease making replacement parts for the system currently employed in the hospital.
"If it breaks, we'll be without parts," Kramer said. "So we need a couple of new anesthesia machines."
Both the old and new systems were manufactured by DataScope, which also holds the hospital's maintenance and warranty contract for the anesthesia equipment, Kramer said. |
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