Hutcheson Medical Center officials reported the hospital’s best financial results since February 2009 at today’s Board of Directors’ Budget and Finance Committee meeting. The announcement marks four consecutive months of improved financial reporting for the North Georgia health system, including two consecutive months of positive hospital operating revenue, officials said.
Hospital leadership said positive earnings from operations in August were $185,762, up more than $100,000 from last month. Factors contributing to the gain included an increased hospital census, up 35% over last year, and improvements in the number of surgeries performed. There was a 29% increase in outpatient surgeries and 18% increase in total surgeries over August 2011.
Hutcheson also saw a spike in commercial payer insurance last month and the hospital’s case index continued to increase, meaning patients of a more serious nature are being treated at the facility.
Including physician clinics, Hutcheson officials reported a consolidated loss of $20,836 in August 2012 as compared to a budgeted loss of $162,263. August earnings reflect a $1.52 million improvement over Hutcheson’s August 2011 financial report. Similarly, hospital officials announced last month a $1.62 million improvement over July 2011 numbers.
“This month’s financial report is encouraging to all of us,” stated Roger Forgey, president and CEO of Hutcheson Medical Center. “It is a result of hard work by the Hutcheson team, increased involvement by physicians, and a renewed commitment by the community to support their local hospital.”