(Jan. 28, 2016) Atlantic General Hospital improved its operating margin, increased productivity and continued to have a positive effect on the community during the previous fiscal year.
That’s according to AGH President Michael Franklin, who spoke for just over 20 minutes at the Monday night Berlin Mayor and Council meeting.
AGH presents an operational summary to the council each year. As part of a 2014 stormwater settlement, the town provides an annual minimum grant of $10,000 to the nonprofit.
Franklin said AGH has focused on creating a coordinated care system and becoming more efficient, including reducing potentially avoidable hospital stays.
He said the “telehealth” partnership between AGH and the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has resulted in a reduction in the number of nursing home patients admitted to the hospital from 17 percent to 8 percent. Transfers and readmissions also decreased, and the hospital saved close to $1 million because of the program.
Franklin said AGH improved access to primary and specialty care in the county, with several new practices opening, and broadened its health literacy programs in local schools.
During the last fiscal year, AGH improved its operating margin by more than $2 million, reduced readmission by 42 percent and saved $2.3 million because of improvements in efficiency.
With a medical staff of 227, AGH had a total payroll of $46 million. Community benefits, which included financial assistance and community needs services, totaled nearly $12 million, according to Franklin.
“We’re continuing to do our part in making sure that this is a great community and a growing community, and we’re supporting the growth that’s happening … and making sure that this is also a good investment for your support,” Franklin said.
Councilmember Lisa Hall said she spent “quite a lot of time” at AGH and called the hospital “a great asset to the community.”
“Unfortunately, my husband is there,” she said. “The level of care that were receiving in Berlin now is par to none.”
Hall praised the hospital for addressing behavioral health issues, which she said was a need in the area.
“I’m sure everyone in this room knows someone with mental health issues,” she said. “We need more of these services.”
Councilmember Dean Burrell said he also spent significant time at AGH as a former worker.
“We appreciate the leadership of the hospital in our community,” he said. “I’ve seen the systems in place that were designed [to provide care] to my neighbors and my constituents, and it is second to none.
“I am so glad to have Atlantic General Hospital in our community, because it is one of the best endeavors that has ever taken place here in Worcester County,” Burrell said. “I applaud you and your staff.”
That’s according to AGH President Michael Franklin, who spoke for just over 20 minutes at the Monday night Berlin Mayor and Council meeting.
AGH presents an operational summary to the council each year. As part of a 2014 stormwater settlement, the town provides an annual minimum grant of $10,000 to the nonprofit.
Franklin said AGH has focused on creating a coordinated care system and becoming more efficient, including reducing potentially avoidable hospital stays.
He said the “telehealth” partnership between AGH and the Berlin Nursing and Rehabilitation Center has resulted in a reduction in the number of nursing home patients admitted to the hospital from 17 percent to 8 percent. Transfers and readmissions also decreased, and the hospital saved close to $1 million because of the program.
Franklin said AGH improved access to primary and specialty care in the county, with several new practices opening, and broadened its health literacy programs in local schools.
During the last fiscal year, AGH improved its operating margin by more than $2 million, reduced readmission by 42 percent and saved $2.3 million because of improvements in efficiency.
With a medical staff of 227, AGH had a total payroll of $46 million. Community benefits, which included financial assistance and community needs services, totaled nearly $12 million, according to Franklin.
“We’re continuing to do our part in making sure that this is a great community and a growing community, and we’re supporting the growth that’s happening … and making sure that this is also a good investment for your support,” Franklin said.
Councilmember Lisa Hall said she spent “quite a lot of time” at AGH and called the hospital “a great asset to the community.”
“Unfortunately, my husband is there,” she said. “The level of care that were receiving in Berlin now is par to none.”
Hall praised the hospital for addressing behavioral health issues, which she said was a need in the area.
“I’m sure everyone in this room knows someone with mental health issues,” she said. “We need more of these services.”
Councilmember Dean Burrell said he also spent significant time at AGH as a former worker.
“We appreciate the leadership of the hospital in our community,” he said. “I’ve seen the systems in place that were designed [to provide care] to my neighbors and my constituents, and it is second to none.
“I am so glad to have Atlantic General Hospital in our community, because it is one of the best endeavors that has ever taken place here in Worcester County,” Burrell said. “I applaud you and your staff.”