Samaritan, Parkview Pediatrics to join forces

MOSES LAKE - Samaritan Healthcare will purchase Parkview Pediatrics, with the deal completed by Jan. 1.

A press release issued jointly by the hospital and the pediatric practice called the move an "integration," and said the new name will be Samaritan Parkview Pediatrics. Hospital CEO Joe Sharp declined to specify any financial details.

The move was announced at the regular meeting of the hospital board Thursday.

In other business, Chief Financial Officer Tom Legel reported the hospital turned a $306,279 profit for September, and generated a profit of $3.1 million for the year. That's in spite of patient utilization being under budget projections, Legel said.

Gross patient revenue is about 2 percent below budget projections for the year, Legel said, but the total operating budget is about 1 percent above projections. Legel said the bottom line reflects patients who came in with insurance that paid higher reimbursement rates.

Most categories of patient utilization are lower than last year, Legel said, but obstetrics cases have increased. The impression of substantial staff cuts over the last year to 18 months may be misleading, he said; the hospital had 388 employees in 2011, compared to 373 to date in 2012.

Sharp reported the hospital is still pursuing plans to increase wound care services and provide backup neurology services offsite, and important service especially for stroke victims coming in the emergency room. However, hospital officials have dropped research into an onsite sleep lab, since changing technologies are allowing patients to do sleep studies at home.

Legel reported the hospital received six bids to provide doctors for the emergency room. Hospital officials will evaluate the bids, pick three to four for interviews, which will include community participation.

Legel announced that bids to remodel the hospital's second floor will be opened Oct. 29, with construction starting by Thanksgiving and construction complete by late January. The remodeled space will house most of the administration offices.