Iroquois Memorial Hospital officials outline plans to restore services and add therapy center
Loading...
Summary
Hospital officials told the county board they are restoring services, expanding outpatient and specialty care, and planning a new on-campus therapy center funded by local fundraising.
Representatives of Iroquois Memorial Hospital (IMH) briefed the county board about efforts to restore services and expand local care, saying the hospital is returning specialties and planning an on-campus therapy center.
A hospital representative said IMH has worked to rebuild services after an extended period without federal critical-access funding and noted partnerships with local agencies including the health department, sheriff's office and mental health services. The representative listed current services including behavioral health, cardiology, ENT, general surgery, wound care and a new hyperbaric medicine service available via a mobile unit.
The hospital said orthopedics will be added in July when “Dr. Murphy” begins seeing patients, enabling total joint replacements and fracture care locally. The hospital also described a “swing bed” program to allow patients to remain in the hospital for post-operative therapy rather than transfer out of town.
IMH introduced Mitch (Mitch Oz in the transcript), who described plans to fund and build a new therapy center on or adjacent to the hospital campus to consolidate outpatient therapy, inpatient therapy and community wellness services. He said the center will include new technology and specialized therapists and that fundraising efforts aim to begin construction in the coming months.
Hospital leaders said restoring services will make it easier for elderly patients and others who cannot travel long distances to access care locally. The hospital thanked the community and county for support and said it will continue to coordinate with local partners as services are restored.
