JMH Annual Audit Performed

The 2005 numbers are in, though unofficial and unqualified, for Jasper Memorial Hospital, according to Jean Aycock, Oconee Regional Medical Center (ORMC) financial representative.

Ms. Aycock’s brief presentation to Jasper Health Services, Inc. board members Monday evening covered the highlights of the medical facility’s financial profile over the past year.

Her report reflected an increase in JMH cash flow in the amount of $179,000 from 2004 to 2005; assets increased 23 percent to a value of $615,000; and the medical group had a net income of $321,000 for 2005.

With regard to revenues, Ms. Aycock reported a $9.82 million operation expense for 2005. The current figure is $900,000 less than 2004, she said.

She also presented several selective JMH statistics and indicators from the period between 2003-2005. Those noted included a decrease in admissions; increase in patient days; steady growth on nursing home days; and increased emergency room (ER) visits.
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Also, Medicare utilization increased which Ms. Aycock pointed out was the key to cost reimbursement; bad debt is down; and accounts payable days are down from 90 to 38.

She noted that three reclassification entries and three audited entries were performed with the 2005 audit.

“The audit went well. The auditors didn’t find any big issues.”

Ms. Aycock informed board members that the cost report analysis would be presented during the March meeting.

In current monthly finances news, comptroller Laura Hammonds reported that the system including JMH, the Retreat, and Primary Care Center (PCC) earned a $15,000 loss in January while making a $60,000 profit for the fiscal year.

Administrative reports were kept to a minimum in the essence of time therefore only the main highlights were provided.

David Owens of JMH said that meetings with David Dyer are still in the works in order to form a Friends of the Hospital group. He also reported that a security system for the facility could cost up to $25,000.

Donna Holman of the Retreat shared results from the satisfaction survey recently conducted at the nursing home.

With a 50 percent response from families, the facility received 93 percentile ratings in overall satisfaction and recommendation to others. Areas listed for improvement included quality of rehabilitation therapy, laundry services, adequate staff to meet needs, quality of CNA care.

Mrs. Holman also made reference to a complimentary letter from Phyllis Cunard about patient care at the facility.

From a 23 percent response from employees, the Retreat scored 77 in overall satisfaction, 71 on recommendation of job, and 88 on recommendation of care. Areas listed for improvement included assistance with stress, attentiveness of management, comparison of pay, and care of management.

Jan Gaston of PCC reported that the facility is still in the process of locating a replacement for Dr. Wanes Barsemian, who will be leaving PCC this Spring.

Also obstetrician/gynecologist Dr. Marisol San Inocencio may soon rejoin the rotation at PCC. She previously participated in the local practice beginning June 2000 before conducting her private practice on Lake Oconee.

Nursing director Nancy Taylor will provide graphics at next month’s meeting.

Board members voted to approve several issues Tuesday night ranging from policy to capital repairs. Six administrative policies, three new and three updates, were approved unanimously.
Additionally board members voted to purchase a power transformer for MRI services. The $13,226 cost will be deducted from the contingency budget leaving $34,000, according to Mrs. Hammonds.

A facility safety manual was approved and adopted; a management plan was presented for review and will be up for action in March; and a board by-laws discussion was tabled.
Other actions was taken following an executive session for the discussion of quality assessment and assurance, state survey, and strategic issues. Those actions included appointing physicians Paul Allen, Michael Austin, and Reginald Smith to the ER and reappointing Alvin Bryan to pathology, Jamie Mitchell as dental consultant, Kenny Blake as staff physician, Laura Moore to the ER, Steven Mullins.

Board members also took action to revise the board by-laws to include the chief of staff as an ex-officio member of Jasper Health Services, Inc.