On Monday, July 24, the Drew Memorial Health System’s Board of Directors held their monthly meeting. Mike Akin called the meeting to order at 12:40 p.m. with all members except Lagarian Cross and Jay Jones present.
The meeting started off with a call to Tiffany Martin from TruBridge. Martin stated that gross revenue for June was slightly below the six month average, coming in at $9.5 million. Martin noted that the payer mix had changed slightly with Medicare coming in at 65 percent. Patient admissions were down five percent in June with 4,714 visits. Inpatient admissions saw a six month high, but outpatient and Emergency Room visits were below the six month average. June cash collections were 93 percent of net totaling $2.3 million.
After the call with Martin ended, the board approved quality and credentials, as well as the minutes from the June board meeting.
Chief Financial Officer, Melodie Colwell, presented the financial report. For the month of June there was a cash increase of $567,000, which is due in large part to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds they received. Colwell added that operating expenses were under budget, but a couple of line items came in over budget. Supplies came in over budget due to some expired supplies which had to be written off, and utilities came in over budget due to an increase in utilization, and the increase in rates that have affected all of Drew County.
Scott Barrilleaux, Chief Executive Officer of DMHS, gave his report, and stated that the hospital is still actively recruiting a general surgeon. He said that there is something in the works, but that he can’t give any details at this time. He will let everyone know what is going on whenever he is able. Barrilleaux added that he and the rest of the staff are working very closely with Baptist Health to help with the transition. The relationship is currently a good one and getting better as communication improves. Barrilleaux has been invited to sit in on their weekly meetings, and members of Baptist’s Transition Team have been sitting in on DHMS’ weekly meetings as well. Conversations with Cerner, who provides electronic medical records (EMR) software are progressing.
“Hopefully by next meeting we will have an idea of how to terminate this relationship, or if the Baptist deal falls through at the eleventh hour, we can return to the relationship,” Barrilleaux said. “Either way, we know our EMR needs desperately to be replaced.”
With no further business, the board adjourned until the next scheduled meeting on August 28.
