Staffing tops agenda for RCH board
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by Brenda Grose
Restructuring departments, recruitment efforts and finances showing up and down trends were all topics of discussion at the Ringgold County Hospital’s Board of Trustees regular monthly meeting, Monday, February 28.
Hosptial CEO Joe Mangiameli explained restructuring of departments that will now be limited to five or six newly created director positions. The limited number of directors is a move toward increased accountability and better and more frequent communication for those assuming the director positions.
Departments and positions within departments will be restructured into the five or six groups and overseen by a single director. Specific director positions had not been finalized at the meeting, but were expected to be announced to staff within the week.
The directors will meet regularly with Mangiameli as this new restructure works toward making more group decisions, creating more transparency and ensuring committed participation from those in leadership.
In other news reported by Mangiameli, recruitment continues and is focused on finding a provider attuned to taking care of patients as a primary care physician. There has been some contact with interested recruits and a visit planned for last week for one candidate to spend time in the actual setting and one-on-one conversations with both Dr. Katie Wilcox, chief of staff, and Mangiameli. In board discussion it was agreed that there would be additional focus on finding a provider not only committed to the position, but to staying in the community.
On the financial side, Missy Walter, hospital CFO, reported in-patient revenue was up by $182K in January, for the fourth month in a row, with 94 in-patient days and 101 skilled days—both far exceeding budgeted amounts.
Out-patient revenue; however, was short of budget by $63K with only 963 total visits due to several areas with less activity. Noted by Walter was the resignation of Dr. Scott Bland, the retirement of Dr. Bruce Ricker, and the maternity leave of Erin Leonard, ARNP, all impacting the lower number of visits.
Leonard was scheduled to return to practice Monday, March 7, and it was mentioned Dr. Ricker may resume practice potentially two days per week sometime within the next few months. Leah Kipfer, ARNP, has also joined RCH/MAMC and was officially appointed to staff at the meeting, all of which should impact more positive revenue numbers in the coming months.
Overall, gross revenue fell short by $127K and net revenue short by almost $26K. Net 340B revenue was $32K and total operating revenue was $1.95M for the month.
On the expense side, salaries and wages were under budget by $38K; benefits were up 37%; contract labor was over budget by $13K; fees were under budget by $16K; supplies and drugs were over budget by $28K ; depreciation expense was over by $16K and three new assets were put into use during the month. Total operating expenses for the month exceeded total budget by $80K. Resulting year-to-date bottom line was $958K, which is below budget.
The next board meeting will be held Monday, March 14, as budgets are required to be presented to the county by March 15. The meeting will begin with a review of the budget at 5:00 p.m., followed by the regular monthly meeting. Regular monthly meetings will return to the fourth Monday of the month in April.
