Cullman Regional hosted its 2018 State of the Hospital Luncheon on Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. / W.C. Mann
CULLMAN – Cullman Regional held its State of the Hospital Luncheon on Wednesday. During his remarks, CEO James Clements noted that the hospital has operated at increasing profit for three years and improved its financial ratings, that current projects will increase inpatient capacity by 25 percent and bring another 200 jobs to the Cullman area when complete, and that the hospital had a $200 million economic impact on Cullman last year.
Cullman Regional achievements
- Cullman Regional was listed as a 2017-17 High Performing Hospital for cardiac care by U.S. News and World Report.
- The hospital was the first in Alabama and second in the nation to achieve Cardiac Cath Lab Accreditation by the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association.
- The Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care accredited Cullman Regional as a Chest Pain Center.
- In 2013 and 2014, the hospital was named a Joint Commission Top Performer of Key Quality Measures in the areas of Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Stroke, Venous Thromboembolism, and Surgery.
- Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Alabama has designated Cullman Regional as a Blue Distinction + Center for knee and hip replacement.
Financial status and economic impact
After years in the red, Cullman Regional has operated at a profit since 2014, improving its ratings with both Fitch and Moody rating agencies. By 2017 its operating margin was approaching 10 percent to the positive. Today the hospital claims a $200 million overall impact on the Cullman area’s economy, including a federally-calculated community benefit of $15.64 million. Under community benefit, Cullman Regional lists:
- Medical services for those who are unable to pay for care
- Absorbed underpayments from the state Medicaid program
- Support for the Good Samaritan Health Clinic
- Community classes, screenings and health events
- Donations to public schools
Cullman Regional’s media information states that the hospital provides $81 million in labor income to its employees and suppliers.
Facility expansions and partnerships
Fifth Floor Project
Cullman Regional’s fifth floor project, led by Dennis Richards, chairman of the Board of Directors’ Physical Facilities Committee, will add 30 beds to the hospital and bring the total number of beds in the facility to 175. The expansion is expected to employ 30 people initially, and up to 100 when fully operational.
Construction should be complete in Feb. 2018, and a grand opening is scheduled for Feb. 27. See www.cullmansense.com/articles/2017/01/04/Cullman Regional-breaks-ground-new-30-bed-5th-floor-expansion.
Urgent Care Center
Cullman Regional’s Urgent Care Center is nearing completion in a freestanding building near the Emergency Room. Access to urgent care was identified in 2016 as the greatest medical need of the Cullman community, and in Dec. 2017 alone, the Cullman Regional emergency room saw more than 5,000 patients. The Urgent Care Center is expected to relieve 20 percent of the patient volume of the emergency room and significantly cut wait times.
The Urgent Care Center is scheduled for completion near the end of April 2018. See www.cullmansense.com/articles/2017/01/25/cullman-regional-announces-new-urgent-care-center.
Surgery Center of Cullman
Earlier this month, the Surgery Center of Cullman became a Cullman Regional affiliate through a partnership formed between the hospital and the physician owners of the center. The facility, which employs 33 and performs more than 5,000 surgical procedures per year, will now be managed by Cullman Regional.
From the Cullman Regional press release: “In the purchase agreement, finalized January 15, Cullman Regional begins managing the day-to-day operations of the facility and acquires majority ownership in the facility. The 33 employees of The Surgery Center of Cullman will become employees of Cullman Regional, making Cullman Regional the second largest employer in Cullman County with 1,142 employees.
‘We look forward to collaborating with our physician partners in order to capitalize on the strategic benefits of this joint venture,’ James Clements, Cullman Regional Chief Executive Officer said. ‘This is simply another way Cullman Regional can meet the consumer’s growing demand for high-quality, convenient and cost-efficient outpatient care.’”
Technology
Clements touted Cullman Regional’s recent technological upgrades, including a new 128-slice CT imaging system with a processing capability twice that of the hospital’s previous equipment, a faster MRI apparatus with a more open feel, and a women’s health unit with 3D mammography. Other state-of-the-art tech listed among the hospital’s services includes:
- nuclear medicine camera
- cardiovascular cath lab
- hyperbaric chambers
- electronic medical records
- breast ultrasound
- bone density
The numbers: Cullman Regional statistics
Staff and jobs
- 1,142 current employees – Cullman Regional is the county’s second largest employer.
- 80 active staff physicians
- 100 courtesy and consulting physicians
- Cullman Regional directly or indirectly supports more than 2,000 jobs in the state of Alabama.
Services
- 1,000 babies are delivered each year at Cullman Regional.
- 4,000 community residents received free health screenings in 2017, with one in three being found to need follow up for services.
- 5,000-plus patients came through Cullman Regional’s Emergency Room in December 2017.
- 8,000 community residents attended the hospital’s Halloween Trunk or Treat event, at which free health screenings were offered.
- 60 percent of Cullman area residents receive their medical care from Cullman Regional, up from 53 percent four years ago.
- 105,000 points of contact in all forms occurred between Cullman Regional and customers in 2017.
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