Pinckneyville Hospital shows profit in October; board sees future in specialty surgeries

Pinckneyville Community Hospital had $152,674 in operating income and $182,410 in net income for the month of October 2014. Net income includes revenue from sources other than operations.

Year-to-date operations are still showing a loss of $117,053. However, PCH has a net profit of $217,771 as of Oct. 31, six months into the fiscal year.

In other business, the board:

• discussed a report from the finance committee on the the future of surgery at Pinckneyville Community Hospital. The board agreed that there is not enough general surgery available in town to lure a surgeon to Pinckneyville. A study by the hospital's auditors, Wipfli, showed that the greatest profitability for the hospital would be in offering gastrointestinal surgeries. Other speciality surgeries are also a good fit for the hospital. Techs at PCH already perform a number of gastrointestinal scopes each year; others are referred to doctors at nearby hospitals. Dr. Gregg Fozard told the board that having a GI specialist visit regularly would be a great benefit to patients. They would not have to travel to see a specialist and the specialist and primary care physician could work together. Fozard also suggested the hospital look at getting a plastic surgery clinic or orthopedic surgeon to come regularly. Hospital Administrator Tom Hudgins said he will gather more information on gastrointestinal clinics.

• approved the purchase of $229,572 in infrastructure items for the new hospital. CFO Kara Jo Carson said the total cost of IT equipment for the new hospital is still under budget.

• passed a resolution authorizing a settlement of all matters and disputes with Jerry Bolandis for $350,000. The dispute has been going on for more than 10 years and the settlement was reached with the help of a mediator.

• agreed that the board officers will remain the same in 2015.