Impressive additions won’t lead to complacency even in tough times

  • By Dave Mast
  • March 4, 2010
  • 597
                        
“I hope people realize what a gem they have here in Pomerene Hospital. We want people to understand what a precious commodity Holmes County has in a county-owned hospital which provides top-notch care.” While Tony Snyder, CEO of Pomerene Hospital, may be just a tad biased in that statement, it rings very true. Holmes County can rely on Pomerene Hospital to provide quality healthcare, with friendly staff and caring physicians. Over the past several years, Pomerene has made some impressive additions to its facility, including new wings, remodeling the obstetrics ward and providing patients with private rooms. Pomerene would like to continue its major improvements, but because the economy is at a point where Snyder said it would be nearly impossible to raise funds, the hospital will instead seek to improve in several minor ways. A new sleep lab is being created in the Millersburg Medical Center just north of the hospital. With the best in amenities and comfort, Snyder said the hospital will be able to provide answers for those in the community who suffer from sleep problems. The hospital has brought in a new open-bore MRI machine, which adds a level of comfort to those undergoing MRIs. Pomerene is also investing in providing durable medical equipment (DME), which will provide patients with essential health care items such as oxygen tanks, crutches, walkers, soft braces and more. They are also bringing in Kurt Garren, Melanie Pence, and Nicholas Groch, new ear, nose and throat doctors that will be opening a satellite office in Millersburg. “Close to 70 percent of the people needing procedures for ears, nose and throat problems are leaving the county, and we don’t think that is good,” said Snyder. “That’s primary care that should stay right here. All of these additions are to ensure that people can stay close to home for their health care.” A big issue facing Pomerene, as well as all other Ohio hospitals, is the hospital fee assessed by Gov. Ted Strickland. Starting in July 2009 and running through June 30, 2011, Snyder says Pomerene will end up owing more than $600,000 to the state revenue plan (money that was needed to obtain matching federal dollars), and while they were supposed to see that money come back by various methods such as Medicaid, Snyder said the hospital has seen little if any returned, and he isn’t holding his breath for 2010 being any different. “That’s a major challenge for us,” said Snyder. “We’re sending money to Columbus and getting very little in return. Add to that our bad debt was at $1.8 million, and we’ve got some huge hurdles to clear.” He added that the number of people with private insurance is likely to continue to dwindle, and they expect to see even more people who are unable to provide insurance to use the facility. How does the hospital respond to those daunting financial setbacks? By watching its spending carefully. “Health reform isn’t dead yet, so we have plenty of financial issues to deal with,” said Snyder. “We simply have to watch our spending at every turn. We have an incredible staff here, and we want to keep our employment level steady. We need to become more efficient in everything we do.” Snyder said they are currently exploring using the Lean Manufacturing concepts, which help identify anything which does not add value to the hospital’s productivity, and aims at reducing costs, along with respecting the staff and equipping them to reduce waste and improve value. The hospital has also introduced an extensive wellness plan, which will help personnel become healthier, therefore being happier, more productive workers. With all of the changes that are occurring in healthcare, Pomerene will introduce a new newsletter to the community that will go out twice a year. Snyder said, “We’re a community hospital, so we feel it’s important for people to know what is happening here. We’re doing some fantastic things, and we want to share that with the public.” However, Snyder said that no matter what the hospital does from a material and technological aspect, the real strength of Pomerene will continue to be its people. “The character and the work ethic of the people of Pomerene is unparalleled,” said Snyder. “Anyone using the facility should know that this staff will deliver top-notch quality service time after time. If you need health care and use Pomerene, undoubtedly you will receive the best, and that’s because of the people more than anything else. Holmes County is better off with Pomerene here,” said Snyder. “It adds a value which can’t be replaced.”


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