ARCHIVE

Negotiations continue for new equipment at St. Luke Hospital

Staff reporter

Perseverance may pay off for St. Luke Hospital.

Ongoing issues between the hospital and General Electric regarding the installation of new nuclear medicine equipment may result in better equipment at a discounted price.

Joe Pickett, director of the hospital's radiology department, reported Thursday to the board of directors of Marion County Hospital District #2 that he had requested bids from three vendors and G.E. remained superior. Price quotes were received for both single head and dual head cameras.

Pickett explained that a dual head camera was faster and produced a better image. He suggested purchasing a G.E. camera to incorporate it with the hospital's current nuclear medicine work station. Also the camera could be used for renal transplant patients and cardiac work-ups, said Pickett.

Originally the nuclear medicine equipment was $157,795. A dual head camera that meets all other requirements will cost $232,240 which would include a work station. Chief financial officer Hilary Dolbee said Marion National Bank was willing to finance the additional cost.

The board approved the purchase but the additional cost would be paid outright and not financed.

If G.E. accepts the proposal, delivery would be in four to six weeks.

Pickett also reported that since new CT equipment had been installed, the hospital had provided 177 CT exams in the past two months. Previously, the hospital averaged 20 per month.

In other business:

— A monthly financial report indicated statistics for the hospital, living center, and home care stayed consistent. However, there was a loss of $60,000 for the month.

The loss was attributed to purchasing supplies and posting bad debt. Another factor was a change of paying physical therapy director Michael Jacobs hourly per a contract instead of as a salaried hospital employee.

— Auditor Jason Barb of BKD presented preliminary audit information.

Barb noted all three areas (hospital, living center, and home care) had positive contributions. Ultimately there was a loss of revenue that was covered by the hospital foundation.

— Dolbee reported she and hospital staff were trying to find ways to reduce expenses.

Janice Richmond, who orders pharmaceutical supplies, has negotiated and reduced costs for medicines.

Savings also will be realized regarding the facility's telephone bill. Various unnecessary charges were discovered and corrected which will save the district approximately $468 per month or $5,400 per year.

Also the district signed with a new workers compensation insurance carrier which will save the district $11,000.

— Chief executive officer Jeremy Armstrong reported a physician who was considering relocating to Marion has decided to teach instead of practice medicine. Two other prospects also are being considered but won't be available until 2007 when they graduate.

— Hett Construction was awarded the low bid of $8,300 for hospital driveway repair. Brunner Construction also presented a bid of $9,384.

— Dolbee said she would like the board to consider changing the hospital's charity care policy to become more lenient. It also would reduce the hospital's bad debt percentage.

— The board instructed Armstrong to distribute information from a community-wide survey to department heads.

— Armstrong reported he wanted to conduct more research before implementing measure for a tobacco-free campus.

The next hospital board meeting will be at 7 p.m. May 23 when election of officers will be held. Two positions, currently held by Gene Winkler and Greg Bowers, will be chosen.

Anyone living within the hospital district is eligible to be a candidate. Anyone interested in filing for the position should contact Armstrong at the hospital.

Quantcast