2019

Unfortunately, thin margins have long been a reality for most rural hospitals, but a worsening array of issues—from decreasing reimbursements to declining populations—have forced growing numbers of them into financial distress. By monitoring indicators, creating transparency and responding swiftly to warning signals, financially stressed or distressed hospitals can get turned around before bankruptcy or closure become imminent threats. In this interview, Jim Kendrick, president and CEO of Community Hospital Corporation, discusses best practices for diagnosis and prevention of financial woes. His insights come from years of experience as a community...

Rural and community hospitals are in a unique position to meet the healthcare needs of the communities they serve. They are also especially vulnerable to the types of challenges that significantly impact operations and long-term financial viability. To maintain or regain a position of strength, here are some tips for improving access to care and delivery of services.

Cater to Market Needs

Use market demographics and payer mix data to drive a strategic approach to new services and program offerings. These market-specific ideas have worked for CHC client hospitals:

Becker’s Hospital Review reported the following hospital and health system CEO moves in the last week.

The moves are listed below, in alphabetical order.

1. Baton Rouge, La.-based Woman’s Hospital selected Robert Burgess to serve as interim CEO, effective immediately.

2. Albuquerque, N.M.-based Lovelace Health System named Buddy Daniels CEO of Lovelace Regional Hospital in Roswell, N.M., effective April 29.

3. Jay Kreuzer, CEO of Honolulu-based Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s West Hawaii Region and of Kona Community Hospital in Kealakekua, Hawaii, is retiring, effective at the end of the year.

‘Not out of the woods’ yet, but progress being made

A financial recovery effort at Southwest Memorial Hospital is gaining momentum, officials said during a public forum Wednesday.

About 40 citizens and hospital staff attended the quarterly joint board meeting between the Montezuma County Hospital District and Southwest Health System, the nonprofit corporation that operates the hospital.

Southwest Health CEO Tony Sudduth presented a financial update on the encouraging results of an aggressive recovery effort that began after the public was notified in May that the hospital was in danger...

The Southwest Health System Board of Directors has announced that Anthony Sudduth has been named the CEO of Southwest Health System, effective March 28.

Sudduth joined SHS in April, fulfilling the role of interim CEO.

“During this time, he has led the significant financial turnaround of our organization, and in doing so, has improved every financial metric of our organization,” according to a press release.

Read the full article in The Journal, March 29,...

Cortez, Colo.-based Southwest Health System tapped Anthony Sudduth to serve as permanent CEO, effective March 28.

Four notes:

1. Mr. Sudduth became interim CEO of the health system in April 2018.

2. He has experience serving in CEO, COO and CFO roles at both nonprofit and for-profit healthcare facilities.

3. He holds an MBA from Eastern Kentucky University in Richmond.

Read the full article in Becker’s Hospital Review, March 28,...

Plano, Texas – March 28, 2019 – The Southwest Health System Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Anthony Sudduth, CPA, FACHE, FHFMA has been named Chief Executive Officer for Southwest Health System, Cortez, Colo., effective today, March 28, 2019. Sudduth joined Southwest Health System in mid-April 2018, fulfilling the role of Interim CEO.

“During the past year, Tony has led the significant financial turnaround of our organization, and in doing so, has improved every financial metric of our organization. This success could not have been possible without the...

When an effective hospital risk management program is in place, the most critical element—maintaining a culture focused on patient safety—is intangible. Safety culture is a shared belief among the entire hospital staff that safety is important, and a shared responsibility.

By definition, safety culture is part of organizational culture and is upheld by staff at all levels and in every department. Risk management is not just a clinical concern. Everyone contributes. Maintenance workers identify and remove trip hazards in and around the facility. Housekeeping plays a vital role in infection...

Freestone Medical Center has received the TMF Hospital Quality Improvement Silver Award from TMF® Health Quality Institute.

“We are very proud to be recognized for our quality. Our success illustrates our commitment to patient safety and consistent delivery of quality healthcare,” said John Yeary, CEO, Freestone Medical Center. “It was a significant amount of work, but well worth it because it was the right thing to do for our patients.”

Yeary shared, “I congratulate all Freestone Medical Center team members for their hard work toward achieving this outstanding level of...

FAIRFIELD, TEXAS – February 7, 2019 – Freestone Medical Center has received the TMF Hospital Quality Improvement Silver Award from TMF® Health Quality Institute.

“We are very proud to be recognized for our quality. Our success illustrates our commitment to patient safety and consistent delivery of quality healthcare,” said John Yeary, CEO, Freestone Medical Center. “It was a significant amount of work, but well worth it because it was the right thing to do for our patients.”

Yeary shared, “I congratulate all Freestone Medical Center team members for their hard...