Additional sections of roof to be replaced at hospital
Staff reporter
A mistake by a roofing company will give St. Luke Hospital more than expected.
Wray Roofing of Newton was contracted to replace a portion of the hospital's roof but also replaced another portion that was not a part of the original contract. The roofing company will cover the expenses associated with the error and offered the hospital a deal on the remaining portion of the roof.
At the Jan. 22 meeting of Marion County Hospital District #1, chief executive officer Jeremy Armstrong informed the board that to finish the section of roof that was erroneously replaced would cost the district $9,800, which is half of the price of the entire section.
Armstrong said that particular section of roof was over the medical records office and there had been leaks.
The board approved the expense which will be paid from the operating fund. The original roof project was $56,956, well below the amount hospital officials believed it would cost which was more than $100,000.
In other business:
— Chief financial officer Hilary Dolbee reported that expenses for the new clinic had used most of the cash in the hospital's budget leaving a balance of $72,000.
However, the hospital was anticipating its share of ad valorem tax revenue from Marion County this week. In 2007, the tax amount was $375,000, and Dolbee anticipated at least that amount.
Inpatient revenue was up from December but still below the anticipated budgeted amount.
Outpatient revenue was down except laboratory. Physical therapy revenue was down the most.
St. Luke Physician Clinic had fewer visits in December than what was desired. Marion County Home Health also was slightly lower. Officials are looking at ways to market the clinic.
St. Luke Living Center remained full.
— Home health director Janet Herzet informed the board that the agency received the Homecare Elite Award, making it in the top 25 percent of providers in the U.S.
— Armstrong read a memo from Dr. Don Hodson of Marion Family Physicians, regarding his appreciation of a new treadmill for heart stress testing and new endoscopy equipment.
— Contracts continue to be negotiated with physicians for the outreach clinic that include a second cardiologist, a second audiologist, and an orthopedic surgeon.
— The board entered a 30-minute executive session to discuss personnel with Armstrong and Dolbee. The meeting reconvened with no decisions.
