Lawrence Memorial Hospital enjoys solid financial year in 2014

Lawrence Memorial Hospital took in an income of $11.6 million in 2014, up from $8.1 million in 2013, according to the facility’s annual audit, released this week.

Hospital officials called 2014 a solid financial year, where patient service revenues and expenses were both at an all-time high.

“I think it shows that what we’re doing is working,” said LMH CEO Gene Meyer. “It’s translated to more dollars that we can invest in the hospital as a result.”

According to hospital data, inpatient discharges increased by 2.5 percent in 2014, while outpatient visits also went up by 3.4 percent. It posted an average length of stay for patients at 2.83 days, more than a day below national trends, according to data provided by LMH.

Janice Early, a spokeswoman for the hospital, said revenue and expenses climbed to unprecedented levels last year because more patients are choosing to receive care at LMH over out-of-town hospitals. Also contributing to the rise were more than an 8.9 percent increase in outpatient surgery cases and increased CT and MRI procedures, among other factors.

The hospital footed $27.1 million in uncompensated care costs in 2014, up from $26.8 million in 2013.

The LMH Endowment Association raised $2.9 million for the hospital in 2014, compared to $2.8 million raised in 2013.

LMH is a not-for-profit hospital. In 2015, it plans to spend $7.9 million in capital expenditures, such as building improvements, including a $4.3 million renovation of its fourth-floor nursing area, and equipment purchases.