Veterans Memorial Hospital turns small profit for November, looks to have stronger month of December

by Brianne Eilers

The month of November ended with a small profit of $2,641 at Veterans Memorial Hospital (VMH) in Waukon. According to statistics shared at the hospital's recent Board of Trustees meeting, acute patient days were down 10.4% and skilled days were up 27.1% at the hospital.

“After December, I would guess that it will be the first time in the history of this place that we have more skilled (patient) days than acute (patient) days,” VMH Administrator Mike Myers said.

He noted that statewide and nationwide, inpatient volumes are dropping. “You have to be really sick to be in (the hospital), and they (hospital staff) work really hard to get you out,” he added.

In other areas, deliveries were up 35.8%, total surgeries were up 23%, outpatient lab was up 10.9% and cardiac rehab was up 21.1%. Emergency room visits were down 4.3%. Looking at year-to-date statistics, the hospital is currently sitting at a net loss of $44,136. Myers noted that December has been a busy month at the hospital, and is looking for the hospital to see a profit in December.

The hospital has also shaved $700,000 off of its accounts receivable (A/R) in November. The number of days in accounts receivable is down to 90.4, but Myers noted he has a goal of 60 days or less for days in A/R and the hospital is working towards that.

In other matters, the hospital has been getting estimates to remodel the OB and ER departments and is also looking at funding options for these projects. VMH has offered its open CRNA position to Mark Bishop, who will be starting in May when Rich Keppler retires. VMH continues to interview for its Assistant Administrator of Finance position. Myers is hoping that sometime in January they will be through with interviews and have someone in place for that opening.

The Foundation letter write-in campaign, employee campaign and Christmas Tree Fantasy are on track for fundraising. Myers noted that the write-in and employee campaigns usually raise between $35,000 and $40,000 each year. The goal is to use the money to purchase needed equipment.

On the AthenaHealth front, VMH is looking to convert to its financial package sometime in March. Patient satisfaction scores continue to be strong on the inpatient side, while Myers stated that the ER side needs some work. The x-ray equipment has been installed and is in use, as Myers noted that the radiology department is now digital. Doctor privileges have also been granted to Dr. Coley L. Barbee, MD.