The Board of Trustees of the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital District held their monthly meeting Tuesday.
Highlights of the meeting included:
Special Report
Miki Martin, Director of LIFT Wellness Center, provided a special report on the Medical Fitness Center Difference and the importance of preventing chronic disease through lifestyle change. Ms. Martin also provided a report on the impact of COVID-19 on the business. Congratulations to LIFT Wellness Center on their recertification through the Medical Fitness Association in December 2020.
Medical Staff Privileges
The Board approved recommendations for medical staff privileges at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital as presented by Dr. Michael Osayamen, Secretary, JMCGH Medical Staff.
Resolution: Cardiac Cath Lab Replacements
The Board approved a resolution presented by Tina Prescott, Chief Operating Officer, to purchase and install equipment and software to replace existing equipment in Cath Labs 2 and 6 at JMCGH at a cost of $1,880,059 from budgeted District funds.
Resolution: HVAC Upgrades
The Board approved a resolution presented by Tim Adams, VP, for critical infrastructure upgrades necessary for the HVAC systems at JMCGH (to be completed over the course of 18 to 24 months) at a cost of $17,926,234 from budgeted District funds. This project will improve temperature and humidity control at lower costs and provide for more reliable and energy efficient performance from the equipment.
Quality Dashboard and COVID-19 Report
Dr. Jackie Taylor, Chief Physician Executive, presented the WTH Quality Dashboard.
CFO Report
Jeff Blankenship, CFO, provide an update on the health system’s financial performance through January. COVID volume began to decline during January. For the month, combined hospital census for the health system was approximately 10% over prior year.
Continued extended length of stay and higher acuity drove the increase in inpatient census, while the number of patient discharges was actually 10% below prior year. Surgery, outpatient and clinic volumes continue to track below prior year, generally, with some modest improvement in January.
Revenue for the system was up 4% in January, driven primarily by increased inpatient acuity. Expense was up 13% for the same reason with additional staffing and supply cost. The system’s operating margin for January was negative: -5.9% vs. 2.4% budgeted, before consideration of any relief funding.
For the fiscal year to-date through January, the system’s operating margin was -3.2% vs. 2.1%, reflecting an operating loss. We await further guidance from federal agencies on relief funding guidance to determine how much relief funding may be retained to offset this loss.
President’s Report and Closing
From James Ross, President and CEO:
JMCGH was awarded two awards by the Tennessee Initiative for Perinatal Quality Care for their accomplishments in the two-year Opioid Use Disorder During Pregnancy and Opioid Exposed Newborn Projects, and for progress in Safe to Sleep Project.
JMCGH and Martin received the BEST Award from TDH and THA for efforts to decrease infant mortality.
It’s also coming up on the end of Heart Month, and even our babies are getting into the act by wearing Heart Warrior shirts this month!
Congratulations to Karen Utley on her upcoming retirement on March 12 after 44 years in healthcare. She will be missed greatly!
In closing the meeting, Curtis Mansfield, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, recognized the medical staff, the employees, and management for all of the successes in the organization since the beginning of the pandemic one year ago. Mr. Mansfield said that no words can adequately express the appreciation he feels.
(PHOTO: Curtis Mansfield, far left, serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees at West Tennessee Healthcare)
