A lengthy discussion was held at Bradley County Medical Center’s monthly board meeting Thursday about much-needed infrastructure repairs weighed against the possibility of building a new hospital in the next few years.
Extensive repairs are needed to the hospital roof, as it has leaked in several places. Maintenance Director Tim Saunders joined the discussion late in the meeting and said about 80 percent of the leaks occurred in the 1950 addition.
Top photo: Bradley County Medical Center board of directors held its monthly meeting Thursday at the hospital conference room. A discussion was held about necessary repairs. Photo by Tim Kessler.
A master plan was presented recently to the board that showcased repairs needed in several areas or consideration of building a new hospital, which would take two to three years to complete.
CEO Leslie Huitt said a few roof bids were received but more bids were expected before next Monday’s deadline. The repairs would be paid for out of county sales tax funds. The hospital had applied for a USDA grant to cover part of the cost, but the grant fund was depleted and the hospital did not receive any grant funds.
“We’re going to have to fix some things now irregardless of what we do in the future,” board Vice Chairman Joe Don Greenwood said.
Chief of Staff Dr. Joe “Hank” Wharton added, “When you’re dealing with sick people, you have to be prospective on how you spend money.” He noted, “We have to fix it to perform the way it’s expected to perform.”
In considering whether to fix the roof in sections or repair the whole roof, board Chairman Freddie Mobley said, “I think we need to roof the whole thing. Anytime you have a flat roof, it’s a leak waiting to happen.”
“If you get a good roof on this thing, even if you built a new hospital down the road, you’d be able to salvage things from here,” Greenwood said.
“If you had one contractor do the whole thing, it would keep them responsible,” said board member French Wynne III.
As for the possible new hospital, Huitt stressed the hospital would have to be as transparent as possible in explaining the issue to the public. “The decision needs to be a community decision,” she said.
The board is expected to have a special meeting in the next few weeks to address the roof bids.
Also relating to infrastructure, Saunders said bids on sewer improvements at the Brunson Medical Complex should be ready in two weeks. He also indicated the main hospital building may need some sewer repairs.
Another area addressed was increasing the amount of diesel for an emergency generator from 72 hours capacity to 96 hours. Saunders said either a 96-hour tank could be installed or a second tank could be added to bring the capacity up to 96 hours.
A boiler will also have to be repaired at an estimated cost of $10,000.
In other action:
- A video conference was held with Bethany Adams of the Delta Region Community Health Systems Development Program about a three-year grant program that the hospital was awarded.
She said the program was offered in an alliance with Delta Regional Authority and the U.S. Department of Human Services’ federal office of Rural Health Policy, in conjunction with the National Rural Health Resource Center.
The program serves 43 hospitals and clinics, and BCMC was one of only five hospitals in the state to qualify.
The purpose of the program is to make in-depth system enhancements such as implementing best practices procedures, build partnerships and collaborate for sustainability. It will involve a community care coordination team; improve financial, operational and quality performance; and support the hospital workforce and leadership development.
Huitt said she wanted BCMC “to be the program you point to as a success” when the program is completed.
- Controller Matt Pace said the hospital had $4.1 million in gross revenue in January but had a net loss of $185,000. Accounts receivable increased by $220,000. Sales tax brought in $112,000 with about $4 million available in that account. However, Huitt said $15,000 of sales tax funds would be spent on C-Arm equipment.
Huitt also added that $1.7 million in cash receipts were “the highest I’ve seen since I’ve been here.” She explained the net loss as including $108,000 which had to be paid back to Medicare due to a cost report. She added that some changes were made at the Rural Health Clinic which should improve revenues.
She said an operational assessment will be done on March 16. An audit report will be presented at the next board meeting.
- Vice President of Support Services Marilyn Johnson said repairs are continuing at Kids First following some flooding. Arrangements are being made to secure funding for vendors in that project.
She said a new chiller was installed which was paid for through a SHIP grant. Bradley County Health Foundation will have a fundraiser on May 5 featuring Warren Athletic Director Bo Hembree and former Lumberjack, Razorback and former NFL Minnesota Vikings/Carolina Panthers player Jarius Wright.
Johnson explained a revised COVID-19 policy on vaccinations for healthcare workers and non-employees and a revised wound care policy. Board members approved the changes.