Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Erlanger Health System is apparently bucking the trend by reporting positive net operating income in the three months ending Sept. 30, according to a Jan. 20 filing.
The system reported such net income of almost $7 million compared with an $8.3 million figure for the same period in fiscal 2021. Losses on investment income did drag down the results with an overall net income of $635,981 compared with a $5.1 million gain in 2021.
Salary expenses were up on the same period last year, approximately 4.1 percent, and supply costs also edged up. Initiatives are in place to mitigate the sustained cost of labor, Erlanger said.
"Labor management controls are in place to ensure cost containment as well as quality staffing levels," management said. "The focus for the primary health system's management team is to continue to improve operating efficiencies and to contain costs. Erlanger is anticipating positive financial results for fiscal year 2023."
Erlanger was among 104 health systems nationally to be awarded a 5 on the Turquoise Health price transparency report in October.