Board member Terry Deschaine said SRMC has made profit for 2 months in a row
by James Jordan, Sumner Newscow — Sumner Regional Medical Center board member Terry Deschaine told the Wellington City Council, Sumner Regional Medical Center is doing better. It is not out of the woods by any means, but he said progress is being made, as he gave the city a report on the hospital’s condition.
On the positive side, the hospital turned a profit of $155,000 in December, and has had a modest profit now for two months in a row. He said he could not recall the last time that happened.
For the year, the hospital had revenues outpacing expenses, but when depreciation is added in, the net for the year was a loss of $600,000. The hospital had operating expenses of just over $1 million in 2015, and total revenue of $1.3 million.
The hospital has had issues with coding and billing, but he said they have changed coding companies and is seeing some positive results.
Deschaine also told the council losing the hospital would have a harmful effect on the city. Apart from quality of life issues, it would have a negative impact on jobs, income and retail sales. The hospital has the equivalent of 133 full time employees. Those people make about $6 million a year combined, and 15 percent of that is spent in Wellington. Based on figures from the state hospital association, the city would lose those jobs and $1.7 million in retail sales as a result.
The city has expressed its commitment to seeing that the hospital survives, but it has been less willing lately to pour cash into the facility.
The hospital is getting two surgeons to come down to Wellington and have office hours on a part time basis. They will be having an open house from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Wednesday in the out patient area.
In other matters:
Mark Chesney, CEO of the Kansas Power Pool told the council the power adjustment for Wellington has been lower than anticipated, and he expects that trend to continue well into 2016. The reduction in the power charge is mostly because of lower natural gas prices. He said that could change, but for now they believe the charge will remain lower.
This is a charge that is passed to the customers in Wellington, and the other 20 or so cities in the power pool, to pay for power.
He also said the power pool is relying more on wind turbines, and as much as 20 percent of the power used in the state comes from renewable energy.
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Mayor Shelley Hansel said this month’s town hall meeting will be at 7 p.m. on Jan. 11 at the Wellington Council Chambers.
The city also plans a work session meeting on Jan. 20.
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The city agreed to enter a contract with Professional Engineering Services of Wichita for use of an engineer. The city will pay a $800 per month retainer fee, and then will pay for work done by the hour. City Manager Roy Eckert said this would cost a lot less than if the city hired a full time engineer, and the city can still get the engineering work it needs done.
