Salem Township Hospital President Alex Nazarian has provided an update on two major construction projects underway at the hospital.
The first is the raising of the front parking lot to the same level as the front lobby entrance.
“Our front parking lot you may have seen the complete mess we are in. There is still a lot of work happening for the retaining wall and pouring of the concrete, etc… It looks pretty bad right now, but it’s a work in progress and will be nice when it’s done.”
Nazarian says it was not possible for those with trouble walking or using a wheel chair or walker to negotiate the stairs from the parking lot to the front entrance.
He reported work on renovation of the A wing into three medical offices is also continuing.
“We have installed the studs for the walls and not its time to put the HVAC and electrical systems in. And that is a slower process than demolition or putting up walls.”
Nazarian says he is still being told the renovated A wing will be completed by the end of the year.
In other action, the board was told the hospital had a net operating revenue of $641,000 in June, $440,000 over budget. However, the number of inpatients continues to lag over last year. Nazarian reported 160 inpatient days in June compared to 220 last year. He feels part of the reason is the tightening of requirements by insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid on medical issues they will pay for inpatient stays. Meanwhile, numbers are up for surgeries and usage of the Rural Health Clinic and West Whitaker Family Medical Center.
The board also approved $478,000 to be written off as bad debt and charity care.
