Plans to cut costs at Westlake Regional Hospital got a boost this month will a little help from its friends.
The hospital auxiliary offered to pay for a new telemetry system that will allow the hospital to close the ICU downstairs and move patients that need monitoring upstairs. With the move, nurses caring for other inpatients can also care for the patients who need a higher level of care.
The auxiliary is paying the full cost of the new machine, around $32,000, hospital CEO David Rasmussen told board members Tuesday night during the board’s regular monthly meeting.
Rasmussen gave the board a general financial report but did not provide detailed reports usually provided at the monthly meeting. Tammy Curry resigned as chief financial officer and another person is helping on a temporary, part time status.
Rasmussen said cost saving measures approved by the board last month are now 80 percent complete. In addition, gross revenue was up for the month of December and patient volume in the emergency room is on the rise, he said.
Rasmussen said Reliant Management provided a “friendly review” at no cost and reported what “we already knew.” The hospital needs a cash infusion and tax revenue on a regular basis, Rasmussen said.
All board members were present for the meeting. They are chairman Craig Pyles, Richard Grant, Neal Gold, Bruce White, and Brad Keltner.
By Sharon Burton
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