RMC seeks $16.3 million; hospital asks for fed. money; board OKs budget

The hospital is requesting the money from the American Recovery Plan funds received by the state of South Carolina. The state received about $2.4 billion in ARP funds. The hospital is awaiting the approval of its request.

Of the $16.3 million, RMC is planning to spend about $14.9 million in facility upgrades including:

• $6,625,000 for window replacement/waterproofing

• $3,500,000 for patient room renovation

• $2,300,000 for roof replacement

• $900,000 for CT and chiller renovation

• $600,000 for life safety fire spray

• $500,000 for security access control and cameras

• $400,000 for boiler upgrades

• $75,000 for energy management system

About $1,425,796 will go toward patient care including:

• $381,186 for the purchase of 20 Alaris pumps

• $378,850 for the purchase of 10 ventilators

• $377,481 for the purchase of telehealth equipment

• $250,000 for the purchase of a nurse call system

• $38,279 for the purchase of a glidescope for intubation

The RMC trustees approved the hospital’s 2021-2022 fiscal year budget at its September board meeting. The hospital’s fiscal year runs from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30.

The hospital is projecting to spend about $230 million in the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which is down about $14.5 million from the $244.5 million spent in 2020-2021.

The hospital projects a reduction in salaries totaling about $4.8 million, of which about $2.9 million is in contract labor expenses. RMC is also projecting a reduction in benefits and professional fees and services expenses.

The hospital is expecting to see about a $352,000 reduction in supply costs.

The hospital expects to bring in about $4.4 million more in 2022 than in 2021, with total operating revenue of $230.2 million.

The hospital is counting on a number of factors to help revenues bounce back, including volumes returning to pre-COVID levels; receiving disproportionate share reimbursements at 100%; the hospital’s participation in the federal 340B contract pharmacy program and increased rebates.

RMC is not expecting any significant increases in Bamberg-Barnwell Emergency Medical Center, RMC emergency room and Santee Urgent care visits.

With a projection of about $960,000 in total non-operating income, the hospital expects to be about $1.1 million in the black for the 2022 fiscal year.