The Authority of Memorial Hospital and Manor, at its Tuesday meeting, accepted the bid of PDC Construction to renovate the Amelia Avenue buildings formerly occupied by the Department of Family and Children’s Services. This is the future site of the hospital’s primary care clinic, which will provide office space for new and existing physicians.

The amount of the winning bid was $1,863,700, and the project is to be completed in 240 days. PDC was the lowest of five bids submitted.

The Authority also approved the reappointment credentials for Dr. Jason Moye, Dr. Ileana Popa, Dr. Raymond Otis, and allied professionals: Gary Wood and J. Marvin Martin, CRNA’s; P.A. Jim Franklin, and D.P.M. George Merritt, podiatrist.

Capital equipment purchases

The following purchases were approved:

• 15 high back guest chairs for patient rooms at a total cost, including freight, of $7,569.80;

• Reactivated the workstation replacement program that expired November 2010, by purchasing six computers per month for the current fiscal year (a total of 72 replacement computers) at a total cost of $51,048;

• An additional Arthroscopy instrument tray for the surgery department — cost $10,350;

• Cardiac monitors for ICU/Emergency Department, post anesthesia care unit, endoscopy and nursery units, at a total cost of $324,352.23;

• Arthoscopic shaver system disposable agreement for two years for purchase of disposable shaver blades. In exchange will obtain additional arthroscopic equipment valued at $49,336, following a $5,000 purchase commitment on shaver blades over 24 months.

• Stereotactic breast biopsy system to be used in conjunction with the new digital mammography system. Another disposable agreement over a five-year commitment at $13,200. At the end of two years, the hospital will own the equipment valued at $22,000.

Additional expenditures approved were to contract for services to conduct an employee satisfaction survey over a three-year period in the amount of $8,109, and for a service contract to provide training in use of the Access E forms — the electronic patient registration process —  in the amount of  $9,950.

Financial

Key indicators for May showed a net income of $159,591, with a year-to-date net income of $344,871. Last YTD was $230,735. Net revenue was down $202,490 from April, but some of the decrease could be explained due to the mammogram unit being closed for alterations.

Financial committee chair Glennie Bench commented that in the last 18 months only four months have reported losses.

Other financial discussion revolved around the possibility of elimination or reduction of the 0.30 millage rate for the Hospital Authority under consideration by the Decatur County Commission in its budget planning. This amounts to $250,000 annually and is used by the hospital towards the care of uninsured patients.

CEO Billy Walker has written a letter to the commission explaining the hospital’s position on the matter. Included in the letter was information that in the recent fiscal year ending March 31, 2012, the hospital provided $8,072,533 in uncompensated care. He also pointed out the continued cuts in Medicare/Medicaid payments being made to the hospital, with the Medicare program proposing an additional 2.7 percent reduction in reimbursement rates for the upcoming year. Walker also addressed the SPLOST funding received by the hospital, indicating those funds can only be spent on capital improvements and equipment — not for patient care.

An additional concern for hospitals is the policy change coming in Medicare on Oct. 1. If a patient is readmitted to the hospital for the same condition within 30 days after discharge, the hospital will not be paid. Discussion followed that this will make the hospitals responsible for follow-up care following discharge. This would involve making sure patients fill their medications and that they take them property. It would also incorporate education concerning lifestyle changes.

 

Employee of the Month

It was announced that Amanda Mills, a floating administrative assistant between the hospital and the manor, was selected as the employee of the month for July. She was not present to receive the recognition, as she was on vacation.

The Authority voted to cancel the July meeting.