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Hospital payroll delayed again; management changes

Employees at Haskell County Community Hospital did not receive payroll as scheduled on Friday, Feb. 15  and employees were still waiting for those funds at press time on Wednesday, Feb. 20, according to Don Buchanan, CEO.

This was the third time in recent months that local employees have not been paid on time, and the first time since iHealthcare, Inc., began managing the hospital.

Until recently, EmpowerHMS managed the Haskell County Community Hospital and several others. HCCH announced late last week that the hospital’s management company was now iHealthcare, Inc. 

Buchanan said on Friday that the local hospital had been notified by iHealthcare officials that payroll would be received on Tuesday, Feb. 19. However, that did not occur, Buchanan said Tuesday. The local hospital was then notified that payroll funds would be available on Wednesday, Feb. 20 and that did not occur, according to Buchanan. The reason for the delay in payroll is unknown.  

HCCH remained operational on Wednesday, however some lab tests could not be conducted due to lack of adequate supplies, Buchanan said.

Individuals were being evaluated and treated, but could not be admitted. If they needed to be hospitalized, HCCH would send them to another hospital, Buchanan said. 

Payroll that was to be received on Friday, Dec. 7 was not received by all hospital employees until Friday, Dec. 14, according to Buchanan. Payroll that was to be received on Friday, Feb. 1, was not received by all employees until Monday, Feb. 4.

Editor’s Note: The staff of the Stigler News-Sentinel will continue to monitor the issues at HCCH, specifically the issues that affect area residents.

Staff report

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