Support hospital now to keep open in the future
Staff reporter
Members of Marion Chamber of Commerce who attended Friday's monthly luncheon were told of the importance of supporting the local hospital and health services.
Jeremy Armstrong, chief executive officer of St. Luke Hospital and Living Center, said increased support of the local hospital and health care providers is necessary.
Between 2000 and 2006, there has been a 23 percent decrease in the number of patients from Marion who use the local hospital.
Of all the patients, 62 percent are from Marion, 15 percent Peabody, seven percent Florence, four percent Lincolnville, and 12 percent from other cities.
The impact that the hospital and other health care providers has on the county's economy is significant, Armstrong said.
Using the most recent data available, which was from 2003, of all full-time and part-time positions in Marion County, 12 percent were health care services. Agriculture accounted for 22 percent and government positions 19 percent.
The income earned by these workers was impressive with health care workers coming in second behind government workers in pay.
"Retirees and families decide where they're going to live based on health care availability," Armstrong said. Without those services, many would not choose Marion as a place to reside.
The majority of residents are not utilizing the hospital for inpatient health care. One factor is that unavailability of specific services such as obstetrics and heart-related surgeries. However some specialized services are available at St. Luke Hospital but people are choosing to go elsewhere.
In 2006, statistics indicated that 35 percent of Marion residents were hospitalized at Newton Medical Center, 23 percent at Wichita hospitals, and 13 percent each at St. Luke Hospital and Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
"Health care is changing," Armstrong said, with more procedures and surgeries requiring less inpatient care. Another factor is Marion's declining and aging population.
Armstrong said another reason patients go out of town is dissatisfaction with medical staff.
A recent survey asked residents if they would support a new hospital. Responses were divided with some wanting new, some not, and some undecided.
Does the community want to keep the current hospital?
"Overwhelmingly, people do support the hospital," Armstrong said.
Eighty percent of the responders also said they used specialists who visit the local hospital on a regular basis.
Of the 250 responses with comments, 221 were positive comments. Of the negative, 88 were regarding physicians, Armstrong said.
"We need to look at the facts straight in the face," Armstrong said. "We need to know (our weaknesses) in order to try to correct the problems."
An ongoing strategic plan is being implemented by the hospital, living center, and home health care.
The plan addresses financial stability which would occur through an increase in the market share (more patients) and more profit from operations.
Armstrong praised supporting organizations such as St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary, St. Luke Foundation, the taxing district, and donors.
Other important aspects of the plan are customer service, recruitment and retention of employees and providers, staying within budget, and increased market share with more providers and services.
"If patients are not happy, they will go some place else," Armstrong said. Patients are encouraged to complete surveys after using services so hospital personnel will know if there are problems.
Armstrong said staff members also need to be happy with their jobs. He praised the hospital staff for being flexible with a declining inpatient census.
"I will always defend quality of services," Armstrong said.
He said there have been requests for a dermatologist which would be costly to bring in.
New services offered at the hospital include nerve conduction testing, expanded physical therapy, and cardiac testing.
Armstrong encouraged patients to call the hospital and ask about services before going elsewhere.
Replacing old, outdated equipment also is a priority. The hospital recently replaced a CT scanner, nuclear medicine machine, anesthesia machine, and lab equipment.
