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Show t Y Gunnison based hospital "f'. "L :: 1 - activities without proper direction and 3) He delegates Administrative Evaluation McDermott first of all explains that some have charged that the administrator has not efficiently organized and managed the financial resources of the hospital. He pointed out that he found nothing that would raise any suspicions of wrong doing. What he did find was $995,051 in Patient Service Revenues against $1,126,508 in expenses for a loss of $ 1 3 1 ,457 (an average of $ 1 8,780 per month). If the conditions generating these losses are not changed, the hospital will lose $225,511 for the fiscal year ending June 1988, he explained. He cites volume as one reason for the loss. Medicare days are down 15.29 percent. Pediatrics days are down 16.56 percent and regular days are down 29.55 percent, all from the previous year. Newborn days and skilled nursing facility days, both of which have relatively low reimbursement were both up 7.94 percent and 1.78 percent respectively. Operating room revenues were also down 30.85 percent from the previous fiscal year which reflects a significant decrease in surgery utilization. Anesthesia revenues reflect this same trend. Nursery revenues are also down 21.4 percent. McDermott said this was unusual since newborn patient days are up by 7.9 percent. In investigating this, he found that the hospital recently changed its billing policy on newborn babies, allowing babies to room in with mothers at a significantly reduced price. Low Rates.... While discussing revenues, McDermott felt it was important to mention another reason for the financial problems at the hospital. According to officials at Blue Cross, Gunnisons rates are among the lowest in the state. This apparently reflects thepast philosophy of administration, the board, and the medical staff that the hospital should be a low cost facility. Total Expenses were up at the hospital 3.34 percent Total inpatient revenues per adjusted patient day were $324.75 in 1986 at the hospital. This is significantly lower than the national average for hospitals the same size (6 to 24 beds). These hospitals averaged $447.49 in inpatient revenues. The average for hospitals of all sizes in 1986 was $639.38. For the mountain Region, the average for hospitals of all sizes was $675.38. In Utah this figure was $702.36. Operating Expenses rising Operating Expenses per adjusted patient day increased 26.56 peris caused mostly by the decrease in patient days according to McDermott. What would it have taken for the Gunnison Valley Hospital to have broken even this year? The hospital would have had to have generated 3,582 adjusted patient days or 18.03 percent more adjusted patient days than charges actually generated, said McDermott. He also stated that per-diewould have to be increased $150.64 for the hospital to have broken even. cent in 1988. This m Who is to blame? The Soling Sun School Board during working hours. ' ' Education The Salina Sun Hospital decisions Continued from pad u ' ' h Continued from page McDermott stated that during the course of Dales tenure, he has done a number of good things including running the hospital in the black, with few resources and little direction from the Governing Board. He did not feel Rosenlund was strong in finance nor is he able to organize the hospital financial and business offices. Collections in a timely manner has also contributed to the current cash crisis. Also the administrator has not kept the board adequately informed on the operation of the hospital. Along with this and showing poor judgement in adjusting his own salary without board approval, loosing the confidence of the majority of the medical staff and offending or intimidating many of his employees through inappropriate questions and comments McDermott recommended to the board the dismissal of Dale. Future of the Hospital McDermott feels the hospital is currently experiencing a sever financial crisis. Part of the problem has been caused by the administrator, the board and the medical staff. This can be corrected, said McDermott. Part of the problem, however, is the environment in which the hospital must operate. Rural hospitals, as a general rule, are having a difficult time finan- cially. To have broken even during the first seven months of its current fiscal year would have required the e hospital to have increased its volume by 8 1 percent or to have increased its daily charges by $ 1 50 per patient day. The hospital needs to do more than break even, however, if it is to provide quality care, and compete with Intermountain Health Care, said McDermott. The present hospital facility is crowded, and needs new equipment. Financing for the plant and equipment will be difficult to obtain, he continued. He pointed out that the hospital has borrowed substantial funds from the bank to continue operations, and board members have personally signed for these notes. This is an unreasonable liability for members of a voluntary community board to be asked to assume, he said. One of the questions that needs to be answered is should the facil ity 3 1 Richfield. Anyone with concerns or questions is urged to attend. Legion prepares The Salina Legion Post 36 is starting to build a new Scrapbook for the Legion and the Legion Auxiliary. The post is requesting pictures of veterans of any war that would be of interest to the people in the North Sevier Area. Also articles of past events. The Post is in the process of having plans drawn up for a memorial of veterans of the North Sevier Area to be built as money is available to be built on the lawn by the Legion building. We are renewing our plea for donations of any kind to help build the memorial. The kangaroo rat, a tiny desert m third quarter named The following students were named to the Salina Seminary Honor Roll for third term of 1987-8Kimberly Fillmore, Cameron Holt, Ryan Braithwailc, Matthew Crane, Matthew Kjar, Heather Mason, JodyParker.JewlyannDcMille, Christine Smith, Lisa DcMille, Warren Brown, Paula Barnes, Brooke Curtis, Billy Hales, Cassidi Hatch and Hansen, Stephanie 8: equipment With proper leadership, community support, and financing the facility can probably continue, said McDermott. Even with the best of McDermott states that the administrator is not solely to blame for the leadership, however, the size of the facility and the environment in which decrease in patient days. Nor are the physicians. He points out that hospitals it must operate indicate that long term profitability will never be easy. of all sizes are seeing decreases in patient volumes caused by increasing technology, more cost conscious consumers, and prospective reimbursement. Beverly Evans review the personnel and the policies and procedures . of the business office operations department and found the following problems: 1) Accounts receivable levels are excessive with average accounts outstanding at 110 days. Average in the hospital industry is 70.87 days. 2) With a modem and the proper software it is possible to bill Medicare on Tuesday and be paid on Thursday. Under the present system, it is taking an average of 90 days to receive Medicare payments. j-a-e. 3) The hospital has no program. 4) Most hospitals ask for deposits on admission. 5) It is imperative that hospitals ask for payment at the time of delivery for outpatient and emergency room service. 6) The hospital is not currently able to produce a bill at the time of discharge. 7) Business office personal have not been following through on Plan to attend the 1988 Women's insurance companies that do not pay after an initial billing. has business been office The to former Health Forum Saturday, May 7. It 8) allowing patients hospital bill for their own insurance. Many keep the money instead of paying the will be held at Utah Valley Commuhospital. nity College in Orem, and features a 9) The business office is experiencing long lead times in billing day-lon- g program of stimulating and insurance and private pay patients. practical health care topics. There 10) The accounting system is old and antiquated and the hardware will be workshops to help you deal obsolete. Mrs. Evens felt that the business office personnel at the hospital with life from infancy to the later Insert Photo H were intelligent, hardworking and willing to learn. Better training and years You nw y choose from 1 6 inforequipment were recommended. mative sent&urs, each presented by a McDermott and Evans did not feel thatRosenlund had acted over the professional in women's health care. years in an appropriate manner in handling this part of the hospitals finances. Cost for the Forum is $15. This They felt that he should have obtained additional training in finance. He has not obtained the necessary training, and presently lacks the registration form must be postfinancial skills necessary to administer a health care facility, points out no later than Friday, April 29. marked KEYNOTE SPEAKER McDermott. There is no at the door, Crisdy Peterson. Also Lorie Taylor, Jennifer Steven Crane, Hatch, Kerri Malmgrcn, Becky Reese, Jann Burr, Mike Peterson, Cheri Squires, Mark Travis Tuft, Brian Terron Gladwell, Barney, Brady Newby, Robby Forsyth, Aaron Mason, Tammy Hales, Cody Foote, Robyn Huntsman, and Gro Hanne-myFreeman, r. of A Woman s Life WOMEN'S HEALTH FORUM CAROL LYNN PEARSON Relationship with Medical staff and Employees During the course of this study McDermott interviewed all four members of the medical staff. He found Dr. Pratt to be supportive of administration and the other three physicians not He also found mixed support among hospital department heads. Most of the employees that were interviewed expressed dissatisfaction with the administrator. Some of their complaints concerning the administrator were registration and no infants or toddlers please. Schedule Of Events - Saturday, May 7 4r - 8 30 Registration 8:30 COMPUTER CONSULTANTS RE 130 3:00 Workshops (Please mark your first and second choice) Celebrating Y our Self: Enhancing Self Esteem From Donuts to Discipline: Current Concepts m Weight Management Female Surgery: Know Your Choices Breast Cancer: An Update on Early Detection and Treatment From Bag Lady to Golden Girl: EHspelling Some Myths About Aging Insight Into Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS) 3:00 10:00 Workshops (Please mark your first and second choice) Celebrating Your Self: Enhancing Self Esteem Depression: Out of the Blues When The Bough Breaks: Risks in and Alternatives to Home Birthing Minor, Mirror, On The Wall: Choices in Cosmetic Surgery Crowded Nest: Coping with Adult Children and FradParents at Home From Donuts to Discipline: Current Concepts m Weight Management -- 529-757- 6 FINANCIAL PLANNING MONTHLY ACCOUNTING 10:00 - 10:15 Refreshment Break 10:15 QUARTERLY REPORTS PAYROLLS HEATH'S ACCOUNTING & MANAGEMENT SERVICES VALDO D. HEATH Enrolled to Practice Before Internal Revenue Service 550 West Main - Salina. Utah 84654 at Intermountain Health Care Facilities BUSINESS-INDIVIDUA- L HARDWARE-SOFTWA- best-sellin- Sevier Valley Hospital And The Women's Health Centers Of Central Utah Please use this schedule lo resen j place in the Women's Health Forum workshops of your choice. Pleav l.urh your first and second choice for each time slot. A confirmation of your registration and class schedule will be mailed to you. INCOME TAXES The luncheon session ( included in the cost of registration) features keynote speaker Carol Lynn Pearg book son, author of the "Goodbye, I Love You." (Her books will be for sale) She has been featured in "People" magazine, "CBS Sunday Morning News," "Good Morning, America," "Hour Magazine," and "The Oprah Winfrey Show." She has published books of poetry, and is also a playwright and composer. For additional information about Women's Health Forum '88, call Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., By ed : 2) The administrator spends excessive time away from the hospital 12:00 -- 11:45 Workshops (Please mark your first and second choice) Women Coming Of Age: Exploding the Superwoman Myth Stress Management: Alternatives to Tearing Your Hair Out Dimensions of Sexuality: Body, Mind, and Spirit Twixt Twelve and Twenty: Coping with Adolescent's Crises Depression: Out of the Blues Hot Flashes! A Overview of Health Issues for Women at Midlife 1:15 Luncheon And Keym c Featuring The Sea-on- Car-i- l ,f I n I iVjr.vn I . speaker ro- dent, has never been known to drink water. It gets all of the moisture it needs from desert roots and herbs. Seminary Honor Roll for continue as a short-tergeneral hospital or should the building, equipment and resources be used for another purpose? Factors to consider this decision include the future ability of the board and administration to provide leadership and management. It will also depend on the willingness of the medical staff and community to support the facility and can the hospital increase patient volumes and prices sufficient to generate a profit that will pay back the funds that have been borrowed, and provide the financial base necessary to purchase additional space and Seasons 13. 1988 of Education will be held April 14, 988 at 3 p.m. in the District Office, 1 the Elementary next year, and only three will be needed to house the students. SuperintcndcniTuftnotcd that the Middle School will likely maintain enrollment because the elementary students transferring in the near future arc in large groups and should fill the void left by the loss of the 5ih graders. The Board then approved the motion that the 5th grade students be moved back to Salina Elementary beginning next school year. Other items discussed included: Supt. Tuft noted that planning is underway for a proposed vocational program to be shared by three school districts with headquarters likely at Sevier Valley Tech; The question was asked concerning procedures used in purchase of track equipment for North Sevier High Schools Track and Field Complex. It was explained that the purchase of this equipment was made and negotiated by the Salina Chamber of Commerce. There had been comment on renaming the North Sevier High School football and track complex, but the Board went on record slating that they were not interested in changing the name. The Board will proceed with interviews for candidates for Superintendent of the Sevier District School Board. Those being interested include Boyd Gurney, Mark Litllcford, Dr. Jerry Hawley, Brent Rock, Ivan Rowley, and Dr. Kenneth Olsen. The next meeting of the Board Other complaints related to the need of separation of church and and State interviewing tactics that caused intimidation. McDermott expressed that an hospital administrator is responsible to maintain a credible image with at least the majority of those with whom he must work. This he was not doing. Other areas of concern found by McDermott was the relationship between the administrator and the governing board, hospital audits that are presently going on and hospital productivity. A more detailed analysis should be made on some of these issues. Wednesday. April 3:15 Refreshment Break a 3:15 4:45 Workshops (Please mark your first and second choice) Women Coming Of Age: Exploding the Superwoman Myth Stress Management: Alternatives to Tearing Your Hair Out Female Surgery: Know Your Choices Breast Cancer: An Update on Early Detection and Treatment Hot Flashes! A Overview of ! leallh Issues for Women at Midlife Please mail this form no later than Friday, April 29, along with a check for the $15 registration fee. This fee includes all workshops, luncheon, refreshment breaks, and workshop materials. If you need assistance or have 9 a m. to 4 p.m. Monday-Fridaquestions, call Mail registration form and payment to: Women's Health Forum '88 P.O. Box 692 American Fork, Utah 84003 Name Address CityStateZip Telephone -- Age, J |
