The Bradley Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center board of directors Tuesday approved a new budget for the 2012-13 fiscal year.

Sandy Brock and her team have estimated a total net revenue of $12,533,505 for the oncoming year. This income will cover employee salaries, supplies, maintenance and any other responsibilities of the center for the next year. The expected total expenses are anticipated to be $12,523,914 with a profit margin of $9,591.

Dennis Burtnett, administrator at Bradley Healthcare, asked if money had been budgeted for My Interview, the resident and staff survey. Brock confirmed the survey had been budgeted into the coming year’s expenses.

A part of the new budget is the “small equipment” section. Items within this section cost below $5,000. The total estimated small equipment budget for 2012-13 is $73,082. This change allows items in the capital budget to be $5,000 or more for a total capital budget of $692,300.

In other business, Burtnett informed the board of the Nursing Facility Level of Care changes based on the Home Based Services program.

“These changes will make it much more difficult to qualify patients for Level 1 or intermediate TennCare,” Burtnett reported.

According to Burtnett, patients will need to have a much higher score to qualify for a spot at a nursing home. This change comes around the same time the center has decided to become more involved with the community. The board discussed the possibility of participating in a program like Meals on Wheels or the Personal and Emergency Response Services.

“This is all part of developing a relationship with the people in the community,” Burtnett said.

The board also discussed requiring management staff to help set up trays twice a week for residents in the dining areas. Both Burtnett and Brock have taken on the task, including several other board members and administrative staff.

“The residents really like it,” Brock stated. “They enjoy seeing new faces and having one more person to greet. It allows for more interaction for them and a chance for the staff to get out from behind their desks.”

Added Burtnett, “It was a lot to ask, but it has gone really well. It was the right thing to do.”

Setting up a tray for a resident patient involves patience and creative movement. Helpers are not allowed to touch the food items with their hands. Burtnett explained one way of getting around the system.

“If you want to butter a roll, then you almost have to take a fork and put it through the top before you slice it open with a knife. Then you butter both sides.”

Board members laughed, but Burtnett assured them, “It is difficult work.”

Additional news:

n A pipe that has caused some commodes to be closed off is being repaired. The metal drain is over 50 years old and will be replaced with a plastic pipe.

n The Share comment cards were met with a positive response. There were 17 comments, 15 from employees and two from family members. Four of the 17 comments were compliments. The concerns of family members and employees have been addressed.

n The lobby in Wing 1 has been redecorated with a new floral arrangement by Bradley Healthcare’s own Janice Brantley. Portions of Wing 3 will undergo simple redecorations, as well.