Salem Township Hospital Administrator Alex Nazarian says the hospital had another strong financial month in March, but usage of the hospital is changing back to levels seen before the COVID-19 pandemic. He explained some of the changes.
“We did have a lower census during the month, the average was 5.9 patients a day. We are seeing a reduction in the number of inpatient days. However, we are seeing an increase in outpatient, and areas like infusions, and in therapy, but lower lab volumes.”
Nazarian says the hospital had a positive bottom line of $471,883 in net revenue.
While COVID-19 may be less of a problem, another problem brought on by the pandemic is not fading.
“A lot of items are being rationed. You have to be on a waitlist. When you order let’s say you need 100 items, they will give you 10 because that is what they are allocating to you. So they are always on the lookout to buy and stock up on items that we know we are going to need in the future.”
Nazarian says they did complete 778 COVID-19 tests during March, but only had seven positives.
He reported a record number of low-cost blood test vouchers were purchased during the recent one-day sale. 1,356 were purchased. Nazarian says part of the reason may be the vouchers were not sold last September due to COVID and they are good through the end of the year allowing some to purchase vouchers for two separate tests during the remainder of the year.
Nazarian reported two physicians had made visits to the community, but one declined the hospital’s offer and the hospital decided against an offer to the second. He reports efforts to recruit a new general practice physician for the West Whitaker medical facility will continue.
