Ljungquist Gives Report at Annual Public Meeting
10/19/2015
BERWICK, Pa. (Oct. 20, 2015) –The Berwick Hospital Center has spent more than $2 million on capital expenditures this year and continues to recruit physicians and expand service lines, CEO Diane Ljungquist reported at Tuesday’s annual public meeting of the Board of Trustees.
The hospital, part of the Commonwealth Health network, has 156 active, consulting and courtesy members of its medical staff representing 29 specialties.
Last year the hospital began offering TeleStroke, a collaboration between Berwick health care professionals and the Penn State Hershey Neuroscience Institute. This year, the hospital added a low-dose, 64-slice CT unit and expanded its radiography and fluoroscopy unit.
This year’s expenditures also include the purchase of new endoscopes, monitor upgrades and a new nurse call system and shower upgrades at the Berwick Retirement Village.
Ljungquist, who was named CEO earlier this month, touted the hospital’s contribution to the regional economy. Each year Berwick Hospital Center pays $450,000 in property taxes and $1.7 million in other taxes; salaries and wages total $22.7 million while benefits paid to employees surpass $7.2 million.
Other facts highlighted by Ljungquist:
- Electronic medical records are in use at all 10 locations housing the 20 providers in the Berwick Medical Professionals, the hospital’s physician network.
- The hospital continues its 30-minute emergency room pledge and has an annual average of 12,800 ER visits
- The hospital was recently designated as an Accredited Chest Pain Center by the Society for Cardiovascular Patient Care
- Annual admissions average 2,100 with 3,100 surgeries
