DAYTON—Finances for the Columbia County Health System continue to be impacted due to the COVID-19 situation, which caused a significant reduction of patient services during the first months of the year, according to CCHS CEO Shane McGuire.

An average of 771 patient visits were recorded at the Columbia Family Clinic, during the first three months of the year, but only 542 visits were recorded in May.

However, the month of May saw an increase in patient volumes in several areas; including Respiratory Therapy and Hyperbaric Wound care, and there were increased Emergency Room visits, along with an increased number of Swing Bed patient days.

The month of May also showed a return to “near normal” in-patient volumes for Diagnostic Imaging, the Laboratory, and the Booker Rest Home.

McGuire said the accounting and finance team are participating in many learning opportunities including guidance on how to handle the CARES Act grant funds. Those funds were received by the Health System to offset revenue loss, caused by the COVID-19 challenge.

“Without the CARES Act funding, we would be carrying a $498,000 net loss, from May, in addition to the $224,000 net loss in April,” McGuire said.

McGuire said the finance team is working on initiatives to enhance the Health System’s COVID-19 response, which include upgrades to the HVAC computerized control system, and, possibly, the Medical Gas/Medical Air, Suction and Emergency Power systems.

The board of commissioners met on Wednesday, June 24 and approved spending $35,969 from the CARES Act funds for an upgrade to the HVAC control system.

At their meeting in July, the board of commissioners will consider using additional funds from the CARES Act towards replacement of the Medical Gas/Medical Air, Suction and Emergency Power Systems, at Dayton General Hospital in preparation for a future COVID-19 response. A power surge and failure of those systems could be detrimental to in-patient care, McGuire said.

Outreach and business enhancement initiatives

McGuire said the developer and architect for the planned Assisted Living Facility is working to assemble the necessary project information necessary to produce a contract for the council’s consideration in July.

“We are looking for construction timelines, as well as firm financial and agreement requirements to move forward,” McGuire said in his report to the board.

Marketing and outreach efforts continue.

Establishing patients with new healthcare providers in the health clinics, is currently taking place.

Marketing of health system programs is ongoing, McGuire said.