The bottom line for St. Luke Hospital & Living Center is getting better each month.

Board members of Marion County Hospital District #1 heard Aug. 26 that the net income for 2008 thus far is in the black by more than $270,000.

The monthly financial report, as presented by interim chief financial officer Bev Reid, reflected an increase in inpatient revenue for July by 44 percent but remained behind for the same time last year by nearly $84,000.

Outpatient revenues were ahead of the budget for July by $194,467 and increased from the previous month by $156,324. Outpatient revenues remained ahead of 2007 by $893,012.

Overall net income from operations is $126,414 for the month, keeping the year-to-date figures in the black by more than $303,000.

Net income for July was $193,276. Year-to-date net income is $290,700, an improvement of $273,606.

Laboratory outpatient procedures are up 31 percent or 762 procedures and radiology scans also saw an increase of 159 from June.