Fairfield Memorial Hospital officials say the hospital’s affiliation with Deaconess Health Systems is beginning to produce significant financial and operational improvements.
When CEO Andy Flemer arrived last September, Fairfield Memorial had only about three days of cash on hand for operations. Following changes to billing and coding practices and other improvements, that has increased to approximately 20 days. Flemer said the hospital still has work to do but is moving in the right direction.
Fairfield Memorial is also expanding specialty care. The hospital has recruited an orthopedic surgeon who will see patients every other Friday, along with an orthopedic physician assistant. Another general surgeon will work two consecutive weeks each month, complementing full-time surgeon Dr. Lauren Williams. A gynecology surgeon will also provide office visits and surgical services one day each month.
Another major project will be Fairfield Memorial’s transition to the Epic electronic health record system, with financial assistance from Deaconess. The change will reduce the hospital’s seven separate record platforms to two and is expected to be completed next year.
The hospital also plans to spend approximately $500,000 renovating the former Southern Illinois Primary Care Associates building for physical therapy and cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation.
Meanwhile, the Fairfield Memorial Hospital Foundation is expanding fundraising efforts under director Nathan Gentz, including the hospital’s first fundraising gala, scheduled for March 6 at Willow Creek Venue south of Fairfield.