Salem Township Hospital finished the just completed fiscal year on March 31st 17-percent above budget.
Chief Financial Officer Amy Gray says the accomplishment was realized while moving the hospital forward.
“We were able to finance the A wing project and didn’t have to borrow money and still finished at 70% above budget. I think we had a strong performance we are able to continue to basically fund projects out of our operating cash which is advantageous. We are able to keep up with the market on employee salaries because we are able to budget or exceed budget.”
Interim Hospital President Lisa Ambuehl says much of the remaining work in the A wing, including the installation of a permanent HVAC system, has been finished. Work remains to be done on the outside wall. Ambuehl says improvements will also be made to the new front elevated parking lot.
“They are going to widen the parking lot out here, the drive..the entrance in is too narrow so that is something you will see in the next couple of weeks. They are going to widen that.”
Ambuehl says the hospital is exploring options for an expansion to the north parking lot that would add approximately thirty extra parking spaces. The upcoming OR/ER project is moving from the pre-design phase to the design phase. As planning continues and estimates come in, board approval could see work on that project begin in 2025. The new electronic health record system is in the implementation phase, set to go live on September 18.
In capital expenditures, approved purchases include security alarm door upgrades at the Family Health Care Center for $10,464, security alarm upgrades at the hospital for $39,220, a new ultrasound machine for $130,696, replacement AEDs for $12,000, negative pressure rooms for $12,690, and life safety drawings for $4,175.
The next hospital board meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 29.
