Small Town News

CT scans in high demand at South Big Horn County Hospital

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South Big Horn County Hospital staff have performed nearly 600 CT scans in the first 10 months of operation and credit the new high-tech equipment for a large jump in revenues generated this year.

Margie Triplett, manager of radiology services reported to the board of trustees at the August meeting that CT scans are being done at a rate of two per day, every day, holidays and weekends included.

In April radiology services showed a gross billable revenue of $144,000.

"The key word is 'gross'," said hospital administrator Jackie Claud-son. "But it was a very, very busy month."

Triplett said by offering more outpatient services, the number of new patients is increasing dramatically.

In 2009 the hospital opened 472 new charts for patients that haven't seen a physician or received services in recent years.

If the pattern of growth in the first half of 2010 continues on its current path, the patient base this year promises to far exceed 2009, according to Triplett.

In the first seven months 357 new patient charts were added.

Triplett praised the benefits of the CT scan to patients and to the hospital, but advised the board to invest in a service agreement.

A power surge last week meant a power source needed to be replaced, a repair that once the one-year warranty expires would have cost the hospital about $10,000.

The board earlier this year voted in favor of setting aside money in a special account that would be used to cover major repair expenses in lieu of paying for an expensive service agreement.

The agreement is estimated to cost upward of $80,000 per year. Claudson reasons that amount can be invested in a money market account and would soon add up to the cost to buy a new CT scan should the most expensive part, a tube, fail. Triplett also told the board the service agreement is necessary because beginning at the end of 2011, all CT scanners must be certified.

In order to meet certification requirements, Triplett said, yearly preventive maintenance is required and is provided under the service agreements.

Also discussed at the Aug. 19 meeting: A new electronic health records system is in place and carried a direct cost price tag of about $63,000. Claudson said the system is necessary to meet the minimum new federal requirements.

MediCare will reimburse some of that money Claudson said. The hospital foundation is actively selling raffle tickets for a 4-wheeler and trailer, the proceeds of which will go to partially fund mammography equipment. Scratch tickets with cash prizes and a raffle for non-winners is also planned.

Midway Clinic staff was invited to the Hands Across the Saddle fundraiser event in Shell Valley and used the facilities bus to transport guests from the parking lot to the event.

The annual employee picnic is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 10. Four new staff members have been added to Bonnie Bluejacket Memorial Nursing Home recently.



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© 2011 Basin Republican Rustler Basin, Wyoming. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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