CEO'S Message
CRITICAL ACCESS APPROVED |
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On January 11th, 2001, the Amery regional Medical Center was informed that our request to become a Critical Access Hospital (CAH) was approved by the federal government. This change in classification became effective retroactively to November 2, 2000, the date that the State survey of our organization was completed as part of the CAH application process. As a Critical Access hospital, Medicare and Medicaid will reimburse the Medical Center based upon our costs of providing services to individuals covered under these two programs, instead of by the fixed payment system that has been in place since 1982.
This change in designation will allow us to continue our tradition of expanding and improving the healthcare services we provide in our area.
I would like to briefly recap some the many improvements that have been implemented at the Medical Center during the past five years since at times changes can be made without realising the cumulative effect they have on our community or our organization. Here is our "Top Ten".
- The active Medical Staff for the Medical Center has increased from eleven (11) to nineteen (19) providers. These additions have included:
- 4 new family practice physicians
- 2 full time Emergency Room physicians
- A physician's assistant
- A pediatric nurse practitioner
- A nurse mid-wife
- An oncology nurse practitioner
- We began providing 24 hour, seven day a week emergency room physician coverage - utilizing physicians from local clinic.
- Created "Hospitals HomeCare" and began providing home care service through a joint venture agreement with Lakeview Hospital - Stillwater, St. Croix Memorial Hospital and Osceola Medical Center.
- Expanded physician coverage at the Luck Medical Clinic.
- The Apple River Hospital merged with the Amery & Clear Lake clinics to create the Amery Regional Medical Center.
- Completed a $3 million building expansion project that increased the number of clinic exam rooms from 14 to 28; created a new Emergency/Urgent Care department; and consolidated our laboratory, radiology, registration, medical records, and financial services departments.
- Opened "Johnson Drug @ ARMC" a commercial pharmacy that is a joint venture between the Medical Center and Chet Johnson Drugs. This new pharmacy is located in the main lobby of the Medical Center.
- Expanded physician speciality services in oncology, orthopedic surgery and podiatry.
- Added clinical programs in occupational therapy, speech therapy, home infusion therapy and purchased a new spinal CT scanner, began providing in-house ultrasound services, mobile MRI, and cardiolyte stress testing.
- Increased the net worth of the Medical Center from $4.4 million to over $7.5 million.
There are many other changes and improvements that have been made since 1995, too many to review in detail in this article. However, our goal has been and continues to be to expand services, improve existing services and to try to listen to you, our customers, because we know how important healthcare is to you and your loved ones.
Thank you for your continuing support and for your feedback that helps us to do a better job for you. |
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