JONATHAN CANADAY
SW ARKANSAS RADIO
NASHVILLE — The Howard Memorial
Hospital Board of Directors
approved three new growth initiatives
during a Tuesday meeting.
HMH Radiology Director Stacy
Harberson presented information
on developing an outpatient Radiology
Center in De Queen.
The walk-in clinic at De Queen
has a need for this service and currently
has an x-ray room that is not
being used.
Harberson said that the local
hospital receives a large volume of
patients from De Queen and that
many patients are unhappy with
the turn around time for results to
be received.
The space will be leased and include
new digital equipment setup
similar to Howard Memorial. The
clinic is open 54 hours a week and
about seven additional employees
will be needed.
HMH Chief Financial Officer Bill
Craig said they expect to break even
within one year of operation, with
estimates of just over 5,000 procedures.
Craig said the actual number
should be above 7,000 procedures
with an average revenue estimate
of $230 per procedure.
Clinic staff would send patients
to Howard Memorial for any additional
services or screenings that
might be needed. HMH Chief Executive
Officer Debra Wright said this
would protect their market share
in that area, as well as providing a
needed service to the community.
Total expenses for this project
would be around $182,000.
Other initiatives approved during
the meeting occurred during a
presentation by Gayla Beaird.
The hospital board gave the go
ahead to a 30 day heart monitor
program and stress testing. Three
cardiologists currently operate
satellite clinics at Nashville and at
least one has expressed interest in
providing stress testing.
Beaird said this service was
provided in the old hospital facility,
however the equipment quit
functioning and was never repaired
or replaced.
Local physicians have also given
their approval for stress testing and
the expense to get the program
started will be almost $27,000. CFO
Craig said that stress testing budgets
estimate that there will not be
much revenue generated, however
this should improve and only five
patients are budgeted per month.
During the financial report, Craig
noted that the Days Cash on Hand
indicator did not meet target because
of significant capital outlay
with the new buildings and furnishings
exceeding $600,000.
The month of September had outpatient visits,
emergency department visits and surgery cases above
budget. Outpatient visits have grown by over five percent
from last year.
Craig said that all of the new clinics are up and running,
seeing large volumes of patients. He informed
the board that the inpatient average daily census did
not meet budget and said there were also unfavorable
results from a rate study used for valuing Physician
Accounts Receivables.
The board appointed Dr. Andre Paixao to the medical
staff and also approved Dr. Glenn Lance to the board
of directors. Lance will replace board member Barry
Wright in January.
Board member Julie Rhodes volunteered to also
serve on the HMH Foundation Board. Bylaws require
that two board members represent the board of directors
on the foundation board, with the other member
being Dr. John Hearnsberger.
