Hospital board reviews budget

The Nevada Regional Medical Center board of directors approved a 2009 budget with $35,056,106 total operating revenue, non-operating revenue of $689,037, and expenses of $33,737,465 resulting in a net income of $2,007,678. The budget includes more than $10 million in salaries and wages with an additional $2.9 million in employee benefits and $1.8 million in professional fees.

The capitol budget calls for $2,171,409 in spending for a variety of equipment from office furniture to surgical equipment to hardware and software.

CEO Judy Feuquay said two physicians have announced they will be leaving the area, Drs. Scott Compton and Angie Whitesell have both notified the hospital they will be leaving, Compton will take up his practice in Kansas City and Whitesell will join an existing practice in her hometown of Lockwood.

Feuquay said that both would be missed and that recruitment for their replacements is already under way.

"Both of these physicians will be missed, they have provided us with wonderful service," Feuquay said. "Dr. Compton will report to his new job Aug. 1 and Dr. Whitesell will relocate by the end of the year."

The loss of the two physicians meant the budget assumptions were reworked to reflect the loss of income the two helped bring into the hospital.

"We looked at the budget numbers as a result of these physicians leaving and tried to reflect the impact," Feuquay said. "We originally thought we would have six months before Dr. Compton left but he will be gone by the end of July. That may impact the numbers we have but I think we can still use them."

Feuquay said the hospital's transition to the new computer system also is well under way and that despite the size of the project, things have been going well.

"It's a huge, huge project, and it's going very well," Feuquay said. "Most departments continue on schedule with work required to convert to the new Meditech system. The Inteck application training analysts are providing the technical support needed for team members. Phase one will go live July 1 and phase two will go live Sept. 1."

The board applauded the announcement that Feuquay had received an award from Quorum Health Resource for Best Overall Performance in hospitals with $16 million to $40 million in net revenue. The award was announced at the QHR Annual CEO Conference held June 4 and 5 in Franklin, Tenn.

In other business the board:

* Approved professional, general liability and excess liability insurance from Missouri Hospital Plan.

* Approved a one-year contract for two OATS vans and the staff to operate them not to exceed $72,000.

* Approved offsetting contracts with Dr. Daniel Barnes and the Schumacher Group. One contract generates $242,000 revenue, while the other costs $265,000 for a net cost of $23,000.

* Approved a $158,080 contract with Dr. John Torontow for physician services and his services as medical director of the Rich Hill and Sheldon Clinics.

* Approved a lease with Dr. Glenda Young for space for her podiatry services.