Hospital Board Meets/Discusses Auditor

During the regular monthly meeting of the Bradley County Medical Center Board, members were updated on the current financial status of the hospital and provided reports on the various departments within the hospital.  CFO Brandon Gorman reported the hospital had a net loss o $350,755.00 for July but had several bright spots financially.  Home Health Care continues to do well and use of the MRI machine was up along with x-rays and physical therapy.  Use of the hospital is up over last year.  Mr. Gorman told the board that the hospital has over three million dollars available in the sales tax fund.

The Medical staff recommended and the board approved the following to be given credentials to practice at Bradley County Medical Center:
Lydia Barley, RN, Wound Care Specialists
David Jong, M.D.
Sanjeeva Onteddu, M.D.
Angela Simmons, APN, Wound Care Specialists
S. Killen DesLaurieers, M.D., OB/GYN
Michael Kittell, M.D., ER/Family Medicine



CEO Rex Jones provided an executive report and provided an update on the lastest building project, the wound care program and the Medicaid/Private Option.  Mr. Jones told the board that the recent decision by the State Health Department to terminate it's home health care program could benefit the hospital by granting an opening for the hospital's home health care program and the staff is moving to participate quickly.

Mr. Jones spent some time discussing the 'hospitalist program" stating that the local doctors had asked that this be researched.  The concept of the hospitalist program is for the hospital to hire doctors and have them on staff at the hospital to handle most medical care once a person is placed in the hospital.  This would relieve the private physicians of making hospital rounds and allow them to spend most of their time in their offices.  Mr.Jones told the board he would look into the matter but is concerned the cost to the hospital would be substantial. Dr. Wharton, a member of the board, urged the CEO to study the matter but indicated he did not want to put the hospital in a bad situation financially.

The Hospital CEO informed the board that a study of the senior care program is underway to look at the profitability of the service and ways to improve it.  Mr. Jones told the board the main hospital transformer must be replaced and Keith Wright is working with Entergy to get this done with minimum impact on the hospital.

Board members voted to upgrade the existing CT machine to comply with radiation regulations. The total cost is $120,000.00.  A new machine cost around $600,000.00.  Failure to upgrade or purchase a new machine would result in the hospital having to pay a penalty.

During the meeting there was discussion with the Hospital's auditor, Mr. Bill Couch.  Chairman Mobley told Mr. Couch that he and the board had recently learned that Mr. Couch was not just doing audit work for several hospitals in south Arkansas, but is actually working as CFO of the Crossett hospital.   Mr. Couch explained his role for the Crossett facility and what he does for other hospitals in the area.  He indicated there was no conflict.  There was considerable discussion back and forth.  No action was taken.  Mr. Mobley stated he was pleased with the work Mr. Couch was doing for Bradley County Medical Center but wanted the board to be fully aware of his duties for other hospitals.