Hutcheson Medical Center's financial losses weren't quite as bad in May as they've been for the last year, but the number still is likely to cause some double takes -- $888,960. The publicly funded North Georgia hospital had reported several consecutive million-dollar monthly losses and laid off dozens of employees before Erlanger Health System agreed in May to manage Hutcheson and offer the struggling hospital up to $20 million in credit. Hutcheson had savings from April's 75 layoffs -- the hospital paid $1 million less in salaries than it did in May 2010 -- but trustees and top executives said the hospital has a long way to go. "I'm just happy there's improvement," said Bill Chapin, the CEO of Rock City who serves on various Hutcheson boards. Erlanger President/CEO Jim Brexler has pushed to "rebuild the physician base," claiming it's the way to avoid layoffs and revitalize Hutcheson.