| The outlook is a whole lot healthier these days at | | | | procedures also have increased. |
| Akron General Health System. | | | | • The health system's liquidity — a measure |
| From the three doctors leading Akron General | | | | of an institution's cash flow — has improved |
| Medical Center to the friendly employees greeting | | | | about 40 percent to 50 percent from earlier this |
| visitors, the once financially troubled health system | | | | year. |
| is operating under a new culture. | | | | • Despite the ailing economy and patients |
| In the past six months, Interim Chief Executive | | | | facing higher deductibles, surgical volume has |
| Michael Rindler has implemented a new mantra for | | | | remained steady this year, after several years of |
| the health system's 5,700 employees: Be nice. | | | | decline. |
| Work hard. Accommodate. | | | | • Improvement in bill collection processes |
| He has also empowered doctors with a recently | | | | yielded about $10 million. |
| created Office of the President, shared by Drs. | | | | Strong competition |
| Jack Mitstifer and Tim Stover. | | | | ''One of the real benefits to the community from |
| The two guide the day-to-day operations of the | | | | what's happening is that it's clear that there are |
| hospital, along with the recently named chief | | | | two really good, strong health-care systems here, |
| medical officer, Dr. Paula Bauer. | | | | so people have a choice,'' Rindler said, referring to |
| ''We have a person here who has empowered | | | | Akron's two adult hospitals, Akron General and |
| physicians to have a significant part of leadership,'' | | | | rival Summa Health System. |
| Stover said. ''I talk to a lot of docs, and they're | | | | ''We feel that choice is incredibly important to the |
| feeling and sensing they're working in a different | | | | community. The stronger the two health-care |
| environment at Akron General than they worked | | | | systems are, the more likely it is that people can |
| at a year and a half ago.'' | | | | stay here in town to have their health care, |
| The administrative team, for example, recently | | | | instead of having to travel to Cleveland or other |
| approved a new endoscopic procedure to treat | | | | places. I think both systems are strong, both |
| severe acid reflux with no-incision surgery through | | | | systems have different philosophies.'' |
| the mouth, said Dr. Daniel Guyton, chairman of | | | | Rindler, a health-care consultant from Maine, |
| the Department of Surgery. | | | | temporarily took over the helm at Akron General |
| The new procedure was approved within a day | | | | this year after the retirement of former |
| after staff surgeons discussed the option with the | | | | President and Chief Executive Alan J. Bleyer. |
| hospital administration, Guyton said. | | | | At the time, the health system was trying to |
| ''In the past, that would have been months and | | | | rebound from financial troubles through |
| months and months,'' Guyton said. ''It's really nice | | | | revitalization efforts that initially included job cuts. |
| to be in a hospital that's led by physicians. | | | | But much of the subsequent efforts focused on |
| Because of their clinical background, this was | | | | improving revenue, said Richard Fedorovich, board |
| almost an intuitive understanding of the advance | | | | chairman of Akron General Health System. |
| that this was for patients. | | | | ''Cost containment is important, but you'll never |
| ''I think all of us are enthusiastic about the | | | | cut your way to prosperity,'' Fedorovich said. |
| changes that have happened here. I am convinced | | | | Rindler concentrated on what he calls basic |
| in my heart of hearts that we are on the right | | | | ''blocking and tackling'' strategies — things such |
| track here.'' | | | | as improving how the hospital bills and how quickly |
| The bottom line is benefiting from the changes, | | | | it gets paid for services. |
| Rindler said in a recent interview. | | | | Speedy payment |
| This time last year, Akron General's operating loss | | | | Akron General also worked with insurance |
| was about $7 million, Rindler said. Today, the | | | | companies to renegotiate contracts. Its largest |
| medical center's operating revenue is exceeding | | | | private payer, Medical Mutual of Ohio, has been |
| expenses by $2.1 million. | | | | ''an excellent partner'' and ''shown great flexibility in |
| ''The better you do, the more resources you | | | | working with us to improve the contract, even |
| have, the more you can solicit ideas from | | | | though they didn't have to,'' Rindler said. |
| physicians,'' he said. ''It now is really feeding on | | | | The revitalization efforts have included promoting |
| itself — the cultural changes and the financial | | | | the hospital's expanded emergency services at |
| improvement.'' | | | | the Health and Wellness locations with a new |
| Thanks to its improved financial position, Akron | | | | ''Take Me There'' card program and other |
| General plans to double the amount it spends | | | | marketing initiatives. |
| next year on capital projects — things such as | | | | The hospital now is focusing on moving from |
| investments in clinical programs, facility | | | | ''stable'' to ''stellar,'' said Bill Babcox, board chairman |
| improvements and information technology | | | | of Akron General Medical Center. |
| upgrades. | | | | The goal is to achieve an operating margin of at |
| ''The key to making money in any organization, | | | | least 6 percent in the future, Steere said. |
| profit or non-profit, is to have those dollars to | | | | In addition, the health system is looking to expand |
| pump back in,'' said F. William Steere, vice | | | | on its success with its popular Health and Wellness |
| chairman of Akron General Health System and | | | | centers and satellite ERs with new projects in the |
| former chairman of the medical center board. ''It's | | | | eastern and southern part of the county in the |
| so vital in the health-care world today that we | | | | next year or two, Fedorovich said. |
| have those dollars. To be able to double our | | | | ''We are looking closely at what options and |
| capital expenditures in this short a period of time | | | | opportunities exist,'' he said. |
| is indicative of the success of our financial | | | | At the same time, the hospital is continuing its |
| turnaround.'' | | | | national search from among about 250 applicants |
| During recent meetings, Akron General leaders | | | | for a permanent leader. |
| shared these other examples of the turnaround: | | | | Even after a new chief executive is selected, |
| • Emergency department visits systemwide | | | | Rindler will continue with the health system in a |
| are expected to reach 90,300 this year, an | | | | consultant role for about a year, Fedorovich said. |
| increase of about 10,000 from the previous year. | | | | Rindler, an Ohio native, said he welcomes the |
| The number includes visits to the main ER, as well | | | | continued opportunities and challenges at Akron |
| as Lodi Community Hospital and ERs attached to | | | | General. |
| the Health & Wellness centers in Bath | | | | ''I really feel like I have been preparing my whole |
| Township and Stow. | | | | career for this assignment,'' said Rindler, who has |
| • Baby deliveries have increased 7 percent this | | | | three decades of industry experience. ''I think it's |
| year compared to last year. Outpatient | | | | going really well. |