Hospital Sees Strong Financial Month in March

Stephens County Hospital is coming off of a strong month financially.

At its meeting Monday, the hospital authority reported that March showed a positive bottom line for the hospital.

Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said March was a good month on the revenue side was up.

Gambrell said that is because surgery cases were up last month.

“Generally, when surgery cases are up we have a good financial month,” said Gambrell. “So many patients that have surgery have x-rays, lab work, rehab, respiratory care. Surgery really drives our patient volume.”

Gambrell went on to say that he is hopeful the positive revenue trend continues, but added it is too soon to tell if it will or if it was a temporary increase.

“April is not as busy as March was,” said Gambrell. “The school system had spring break the first week in April and that always slows us down. Doctors go on vacation. I am sure April will not be as busy as March was.”

Gambrell did say that the number of surgery cases rose each month from January to March, noting that January is always a slow month on that front because people’s deductibles have re-set at the start of a new year.