Health care accounting

In its 100th annual report The Bomanjee Dinshaw Petit Parsee General Hospital (PGH) reveals that of the total of 2,601 patients admitted during 2012-2013, 48.8% of the occupied bed days were utilized for free and subsidized patients of whom women and children accounted for 52.7%. The large volume of charity care given accounted for approximately Rs 10.67 crores out of a total expenditure of Rs 20.86 crores. The cost of free medicine for both inpatients and outpatients worked out to Rs 81.86 lakhs, despite the fact that generic medicines were preferred over branded ones, the report mentions.
For specialized investigations not available at PGH, there are tie-ups with other hospitals. The cost of investigations like CT scan, MRI, cancer detection is borne by PGH for poor and free patients. The amount spent for free and subsidized diagnostic services, and facilities like the operation theater, physiotherapy and blood bank to the underprivileged was Rs 1.32 crores in the year under consideration. All this contributed to a gross working deficit of Rs 9.81 crores.

The B. D. Petit Parsee General Hospital

With donations of Rs 10.41 crores, investment income of Rs 5.86 crores, the net deficit came to Rs 2.87 crores for 2012-2013. Expenditure on salaries and benefits for the workers alone worked out to Rs 14.10 crores, not to mention the cost of upgrading and replacing hospital equipment. Though the figure for 2012-2013 was Rs 2.87 crores, down from Rs 2.99 crores during the previous year due to optimal use of resources, the continuing annual deficit is a matter for concern, and the PGH report says it is extremely difficult to maintain the present level of charity care even with the donations received.
The average length of stay for free and subsidized patients was 28 days as compared to the previous year’s figure of 31 days. The figure for paying patients was 13 days. Not only does PGH have far more beds for the indigent and economically weaker patients than the percentages specified by the Bombay High Court, the Hospital’s definition of poor patients being much wider, the health needs of more members of the community are catered to. Births at the Hospital are abysmally low with the annual report showing that there were only 20 births as against 212 deaths, the previous year’s figures being 37 and 229 respectively.
President of the executive committee Homa Petit, vice president Aban Petit, joint honorary secretaries Hector Mehta and Zarir Bhathena along with honorary treasurer Ardeshir Vazifdar, and other committee and staff members are keeping the hoary institution functioning to serve the Parsi community.