We hope that our approach to providing services in

We hope that our approach to providing services in the new outpatient format can help us keep the hospitality in our hospital. It is exciting and, of course, sometimes frustrating to deal with construction while continuing our routine operations, but these changes will be worth the effort.

As your hospital confronts change and is challenged to find solutions, we pledge to the community that we do not want to change our ability to meet the healthcare needs of the community with high quality services at a cost that we can both afford. We are pleased to say that 1988 with all its change did not see a change in this major objective.

In fact, through the year several indicators showed that CMH is excelling in many areas. The Health Services Cost Review Commission, an agency of the Commonwealth of Virginia, published a report that documents the fact that CMH remains the low cost provider in our market area. Commenting on utilization, review activities, a representative of the Virginia Medical Society Professional Review Organization stated that CMH's admission denial rate, a measurement of the appropriateness of the need for hospital admission, consistently falls far below other facilities. In fact, our rate is less than 1 %, with a state average at 2.4% Additionally, a recent Blue Cross audit of a similar nature shows CMH to be far better than the state average of 8%, with our rate being only 1.8%. Further evidence of the record at CMH was reflected in a recent newspaper article on hospital-acquired infections which reported that CMH again was doing a better job than others in addressing this problem.

Though these are only a few examples, we are proud of the record we have been able to accomplish; and through the efforts of our fine medical staff, board, and hospital team, we pledge our continued efforts in this regard.

William A. Gravely, Jr. President