A Reasonable Approach for Hospital Administrators When Considering Cost and Risk

Thomas A. Peters, FACHE, University Health System

Hospital construction costs are estimated to be over three hundred dollars per square foot. Retrofitting existing construction with sophisticated support systems to support disaster response activities is equally financially challenging.

According to Moody's Investor Service, hospital operating margins were 2% in 2004. In such an environment it is highly likely that hospitals are reaching into reserves to supplement this razor thin margin to support investment decisions for replacement equipment and facility upgrades without giving consideration to additional disaster preparedness investment.

The presentation will discuss a number of performance indicators and address how these existing pressures impact on disaster preparedness, and provide an opportunity for a discussion of potential remedies.

Biography:

Thomas Peters is the Vice President of Security and Support Operations at the University Health System in Texas. He has worked as a healthcare administrator for more than thirty five years, with leadership experience in Japan, the United Kingdom, and four teaching centers in the United States. During his military career, he served as Director of the Air Force budget for medical services managing an annual budget of $4.9 billion. Managing this budget included supporting a medical system with 79 facilities and 42,000 personnel with responsibility for all military and civilian pay, facility operations, capital budget and third party coverage for the U. S. Air Force Medical Service. He joined the University Health System staff after his retirement from Wilford Hall Medical Center in 2003. As an area healthcare executive, he is a key member of regional and state emergency preparedness activities. He serves on both the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce Healthcare/Bioscience Committee and Military Missions Committee; is a board member of the Texas Organ Sharing Alliance; and is a preceptor with the Baylor University Health Administration program. Mr. Peters holds a Bachelors Degree in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin, a Masters of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University and a Master of Healthcare Administration from the Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. He is board certified in healthcare management and is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

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