The Salem Township Hospital Board on Wednesday passed an $8.8-million budget for the coming fiscal year that begins April 1st.
Hospital Interim President Lisa Ambuehl says a 20-percent net profit is forecast.
“We are very strong. Our budget will obviously have a positive bottom line. He are hoping the new year is going to be as prosperous as the year we are just finishing up. We do have a couple of large projects he are paying out of our cash. That will affect that sum, but for the most part we are expecting to have a positive bottom line budget-wise.”
Ambuehl says the largest project is the completion of the conversion to a new electronic health record system that is expected to be completed by September. Work is also underway on converting half of the inpatient rooms to positive airflow needed to help control some contagious viruses. There will be more planning for the expanded emergency and operating room area on the lower level of the hospital, but no actual construction is anticipated until 2025 if it gets board approval.
Ambuehl says comments on the new A wing renovation during the open house and during the initial days of operation have all been positive. The Rural Health Center, Dr. Mossad, and a mental health clinic have all moved from the lower level to A wing. Ambuehl says the new front elevated parking lot is now busy with the relocation of the medical services.
The hospital had another positive month in February, finishing $95,000 above budget. All areas of the hospital’s operations were above budget, except inpatient and swing beds.
Chief Financial Officer Amy Gray also reported the hospital provided $3,085,000 in charity care in the current fiscal year that ends March 31st. The amount is above the budgeted amount. She said the hospital has also seen a $ 4.6 million increase in assets, mostly from new construction.
