Kaiser Permanente Hawaii’s profit fell by $1 million over the previous year to $1.8 million in the first quarter as patient volume soared due to the closing of the Hawaii Medical Centers.

Membership during the quarter ended March 31 was stable at 226,734. However, a spike in volume drove utilization at the state’s largest health maintenance organization when bankrupt HMC abruptly closed its Ewa campus in December and its Liliha facility shortly thereafter.

"We have seen increased patient volume at Moanalua Medical Center with about 400 additional (non-Kaiser emergency department) visits and almost 1,000 additional nonplan hospital days in the first quarter," said spokes­woman Laura Lott. "We’ve gained a great appreciation for how fragmented the health care system is outside Kaiser Permanente."

The HMO’s revenue grew to $282.2 million last quarter, up 8 percent from $261.4 million in the year-earlier quarter. Expenses rose 8.3 percent to $281.6 million from $259.9 million. Operating income dropped 60 percent to $600,000 from $1.5 million. However, investment income of $1.2 million helped to boost Kaiser’s bottom line to $1.8 million, or 0.6 percent of revenue.

"We’re able to reinvest almost every dollar back into caring for patients," said Thomas Risse, Kaiser’s chief financial officer, in a statement. "Proj­ects like the Moanalua Medical Center renovation and expansion give our members access to some of the best technology in the state."

An estimated 162,000 Kaiser members saw medical premiums rise 8.8 percent in January. Kaiser’s reserve, which the HMO says is used to protect members and ensure access to care in the event of an emergency or natural disaster, stands at approximately $117 million.