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May 12, 2009

Cullman hospital's profitability improving

By Tiffany Green

Cullman Regional Medical Center’s board reported a positive operating margin for March, which makes the fifth month in a row with gains.

“We did have a positive operating margin,” said Jete Edmisson, the hospital’s chief finacial officer.

He reported that due to the cost saving measures put into place over the last several months, the hospital is beginning to see positive outcomes. Cost saving measures include reduction in some staffing hours, consolidation of departments and eliminating some positions.

“We have had a significant impact from the cost reduction plans that were implemented,” he said.

Edmisson credited managers, staff and all hospital employees for their actions in the cost reduction plan.

David McKoy gave an update on the building and ground committee and said Professional Building III is coming along.

“We feel it will break ground this next week, and we will move forward with this project,” he said.

He announced that because of the construction, traffic routes will be changed.

Effective Monday, May 11, all traffic flow to the back side of the CRMC campus going to the Community Education Center and POB II will need to use a different entrance.

The front loop road will be closed, and all guests will need to use the Parkland Drive entrance, just past Cullman Oncology. If traveling east on Alabama Highway 157, people should enter the second road on the left, just after the traffic light. Call 737-2600 with any additional questions.

“It is progress and we are moving forward,” McKoy said.

He also informed the board the emergency department is moving forward with its additions.

“We are getting closer on the ER and will see some activity there shortly,” he said.

The emergency room will have an additional 3,000 square feet and renovation of the current 5,000 square feet. The present emergency services facility was built in 1995 to treat 19,000 patients each year. CRMC now treats approximately 32,000 patients annually. The new building will feature dedicated treatment rooms for heart, stroke, and trauma care.

CEO Jim Weidner updated the board on the Medicaid crisis in Alabama.

“Good news,” he said. “Looks like the governor will not veto the bill and we will have a Medicaid stimulus bill.”

Weidner said provided there is no veto, it will become law.

“Currently we are getting 70 cents on the dollar for true cost,” Weidner said. “If the bills passes, we will receive 90 cents on the dollar.”

Weidner also told the board of a meeting he and Clint Frey, who oversees the Golden Window Campaign, had with Rep. Robert Aderholt and representatives from Sen. Jeff Sessions and Sen. Richard Shelby’s offices and asked for $1million from each of them for the Golden Window Campaign.

“Congressman Aderholt has been great in our Golden Window Campaign funding,” Weidner said.

Earlier this year, Aderholt appropriated $238,000 in federal funds through the Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Bill to the campaign.

In other business the board:

‰ Announced the annual meeting of the healthcare authority and the CRMC board meeting will be Tuesday, June 2.

‰ Weidner announced Terry James will be joining Cullman Primary Care in the summer.

‰ Weidner announced the Cullman OB/GYN group is now accepting more Medicaid patients from Blount County.



‰ Tiffany Green can be reached by e-mail at tgreen@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 221.

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