CRMC loses $114,660 in July

By Tiffany Green

The Cullman Regional Medical Center board met Tuesday night for its monthly board meeting. Topics discussed included the hospital’s role in helping with the hurricane evacuees and the budget for July.

Chief Financial Officer Jete Edmisson reported that July operating margin was a loss of $114,660.

Jim Weidner, CEO said, “The sluggish economy and the requirement of the hospital to write-off collections that is caused by patients without insurance not paying their bills [are the major reasons for the deficit].”

Weidner added that because of the worsening economy, many people are having to drop their insurance coverage and it is hard to collect from these patients.

“The hospital is not insulated from an economic recession,” Weidner said.

He discussed the importance of getting back on track with the budget and reported a cost-reduction plan to help manage losses.

“We have lost money, so management has put together a plan to get expenses in line with revenue,” Weidner said.



New Equipment, Doctors

The finance committee also approved new equipment for the endoscopy services totaling $48,426.

“This is to upgrade and maintain our equipment for patient safety,” Weidner said.

Dr. Rick Gober presented the board with the medical staff report. He reported on the addition of two doctors to CRMC’s medical staff. Dr. Bruce Morgan, otolaryngologist/ENT, and Dr. James Rinkle, emergency medicine specialist, were approved by the board to join CRMC’s medical staff.

The addition of two new doctors to the medical staff at CRMC will improve patient care, Weidner said.

Morgan was trained at UAB in general surgery and otolaryngology (ENT), while Rinkle comes to Cullman from Newark Beth Isreal Medical Center in New Jersey. Rinkle has completed his fellowship in emergency medicine and is now working on his fellowship in emergency medical services.

“When Dr. Rinkle completes his fellowship, CRMC will have the highest trained fellowship physicians in the state of Alabama,” Weidner said.

“We want the highest credentialed medical staff,” Weidner said.



Evacuee Care

CRMC provided care for over 40 hurricane evacuees who stayed in Cullman County after Hurricane Gustav hit the Gulf Coast last week, Weidner said.

“Our emergency room is incredible,” he said.

Weidner commended his staff, especially Dr. Shamban, Dr. Ashar, Dr. Warner, Dr. Schendel and the entire ER staff for the excellent job they did with the evacuees.

Weidner said they had many severe patients. He added they had on-site physicians and CEMS at Wallace State for the evacuees and to help transport them to the hospital.



Other Business

David McKoy reported on the audit and compliance committee and stated he had no compliance issues to report. Auditors Draffin & Tucker are at the hospital this week for field work on audit.

Dr. Robin Hall provided an update on physician recruitment activities and the status update on the strategic plan.

Dr. Gober presented medical staff applications. The board approved Bruce Morgan, M.D., who will be joining the ENT department.

Board approved James Rinkle, M.D., to the emergency medicine department.