Show A Need Fulfilled A Problem Increased The I. I W. W Allen hospital a anew anew new modern building located on I the South side of Moab was dedicated dedicated ded ded- to the service of humanity j less than two years ago It was built by the citizens of Grand county with the help of I the Federal government through the Hill Burton Act at a cost of I approximately To help helpmeet helpmeet helpmeet meet this cost the voters authorized authorized auth auth- a bond issue of Around was pledged from citizens and industries of the community and area through the efforts of the Grand County County County Coun Coun- ty Chamber of Commerce In the planning stages every More public support Is needed If the hospital financial difficulties difficulties dif dif- dif dif- are to be decreased Is the belief of Ed Mehle manager effort W woe W made to make the new hospital a modern medical center which could adequately i serve a growing community Inthe Inthe In the construction plans were a d fully equipped major surgical room a second operating room room for minor surgical needs and emergency treatment and a third surgical room loom for obstetrics Estimated on n the population at the time of planning and the apparent future the hospital was planned to 32 beds in either private or semi-private semi rooms One wing planned to take care of general patients and isola isolation iso iso- la lotion lation tion cases and another wing to serve for IncludIng including ing the baby nursery A modern kitchen was included in the plans with facilities which would make possible the best of food and diet requirements for patients The heating system laundry room offices nursing i I stations all planned for the benefit of the patient to fulfill a health need of Grand county long felt and long recognized recognized- I This planning do done ne in 1954 came to realization with the completion and opening of the new hospital building and the dedication brochure indicated the pride felt by the County Commissioners Commissioners Com Corn missioners ers and all who had worked worked work work- ed hard in its planning and construction construction construction con con- stages In the brochure are the words The new I. I W. W Allen hospital dedicated to the service of humanity is a quiet haven where the sick siek may receive receive receive re re- re- re the tender efficient care of a trained staff working with the most modern equipment and I service facilities The people of Grand county can be proud of this new Medical Center in the beautiful Moab Valley But there were more than beauty beauty beauty bea bea- uty than efficiency than fulfilling fulfilling fulfilling ful ful- ful- ful filling a need that came with the building and opening of the new hospital There were problems problems problems lems unforeseen or unrecognized unrecognized unrecognized with the major problem being a continuing financial def def- This modern efficiently equipped equipped equipped equip equip- ped hospital is costing the taxpayers taxpayers taxpayers tax tax- payers over per year over over over ov ov- ov- ov er and above the amount collected collect collect- ed from patients Only a small part of this deficit is due to un unpaid unpaid unpaid un- un paid accounts Collections currently currently currently cur cur- are over 80 per cent This deficit is In the main a cost of operation and maintenance over actual patient in-patient charges To meet this deficit the Grand county county commissioners are lecy- lecy Ing 4 mills each year It Is takIng taking tak- tak Ing the full amount of Income from this levy to keep the hospital hospital hos hos- pital operating The financial situation at the hospital Is an Increasing ever-Increasing worry and concern to the county commissioners the h hospital 0 s p pit 1 t a 1 board and Ed Mehle hospital manager These people are continually continually continually con con- making efforts to keep the deficit from mounting higher than can possibly be met They also have the aim and hope that thata a way can be found which might make it possible to reduce the tax levy Is the deficit due primarily to lack of patients Is the hospital hospital hos hoe pital over-built over for the needs of the community Are there ways by which expenses might be reduced re to Finances are of course a problem problem lem of practically all ail hospitals with very few being able to operate op erate crate completely on income from patients I However those directly direct direct- ly Jy concerned with the situation as it ft exists at the I. I W. W Allen hospital believe something can be bo done to alleviate the financial conditions at this institution They believe too a successful remedy re reo medy can be achieved only through public ro operation and support It is believed better sup sup- fort from the public will be obtained ob oh tamed through their understanding understanding understand understand- ing ing and knowledge Th The Times Independent will continue its Iti series rl of articles article on the hospital next nut week |