By John R. Schirmer
News-Leader staff
Howard Memorial Hospital has received its second round of funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, according to CFO Bill Craig.
The hospital received $1,376,735 June 28, Craig told the board of directors Tuesday, July 23.
HMH was among 18 Arkansas hospitals which were awarded a total of $60 million to help them during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Federal Covid relief funds were distributed by members of the Arkansas Legislature.
Second round funds also went to Fulton County Hospital in Salem, Eureka Springs Hospital in Eureka Springs, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center in Paragould and Baxter County Regional Medical Center at Mountain Home.
Craig announced the receipt of the federal funds during his financial report to the board.
For June, Howard Memorial had 135.9 days cash on hand, compared to the target of more than 145 days.
HMH collectible revenue from patient services for the month was about $118,800 above budget, Craig said.
The hospital’s average daily census was 8.2 compared to the budgeted 5.5.
Swing bed volume was 33.5 percent of June’s inpatient days, more than the goal of 30 percent.
Emergency Department visits totaled 740, Craig said, 8 percent below budget.
The hospital’s 90 surgical cases for the month were below the budgeted 100.
Operating costs for June were nearly $151,500 over budget, according to Craig.
Year-to-date employee health insurance was $260,300 below budget.
Chief Operating Officer Stacy Harberson told the board that the additional cardiology clinic day offered by Dr. David Griffin “has been successful.” Dr. Griffin was reappointed to the medical staff during the meeting.
The Emergency Department physician group is ‘working togged everything in place for a Sept. 1 start date. Everything is moving along very well,” Harberson said.
A task force continues to plan a celebration Sept. 20 to mark the hospital’s 75th anniversary and its listing among the top 100 Critical Access Hospitals in the United States. “I hope everyone associated with HMH is as pleased as all of the staff for receiving this recognition two years in a row,” Harberson said. “We want to celebrate with the communities we serve. Without your support, these honors would not be possible.”
