Hutcheson Medical Center officials reported an overall system profit for September at today’s Board of Directors’ Budget and Finance Committee meeting. While the North Georgia health system reported profits in July and August from hospital operations, September marks the first month since January 2009 that Hutcheson has reported a system-wide profit.
Hospital leadership reported that positive earnings for the hospital system were $91,104 in September, reflecting a $323,499 improvement over the monthly budgeted loss and a $1.87 million improvement compared to last year. Factors contributing to the profit included a higher hospital census, more surgeries, and an increase in emergency room patient volume.
Compared to last year, the hospital census for September was up 60 percent, total surgeries were up 32 percent, and seven percent more patients visited Hutcheson’s emergency room. Officials also noted that the hospital has seen a steadily improving commercial and Medicare payer mix as compared to 2011.
“Obviously, we are excited to announce the hospital’s first system profit in almost three years. It demonstrates our employees’ dedication to turning this hospital around and indicates the growing support of physicians and residents in the North Georgia community,” stated Roger Forgey, president and CEO of Hutcheson Medical Center.