HRMC’s financial situation hasn’t hit the rocks yet, but it’s getting there.

Interim CEO Al Byers told Haywood County commissioners March 28 that while the hospital hadn’t tapped into its $19.3 million in reserves yet, it likely will have to in two to four weeks.

The hospital posted a year-to-date operating margin loss of $862,000 Feb. 29. Meanwhile, it’s picking up the tab for the dwindling number of patients using services and cutting paychecks for hospital employees. It’s also paying the Compass Group roughly $40,000 a week for consulting services — a total of $61,838 as of March 24, Byers said.

Hospital board member and finance committee director Mark Clasby said the board has been in talks with investment bankers to look at the cash needs of the hospital and discuss a possible future plan of action.

The hospital has been contacted by a “number of entities,” interested in merging, acquiring the facility, or entering into some kind of operating agreement, according to Clasby. Byers said the names of those entities could not be released for competitive reasons. Clasby said letters have been sent out to interested parties requesting a written response. Those will be evaluated by the board’s future directions committee.

Corporate relations director Robin Tindall-Taylor reported that the hospital will not draw any operating expenses from the $3 million in its foundation fund.

“The foundation is a separate organization and their gifts and contributions are protected for the reason they gave their gifts. Gifts will not be commingled with hospital reserve funds in any way,” she said.

Donors to the foundation fund have been sent a letter with a factual overview of what has occurred at HRMC. If donors signed their donations stating they be used for specific projects, like the surgery center, those funds might be redirected to other foundation projects, Tindall-Taylor said.