March 22, 2004
Home
> MHA Publications
> Archives - MHA NewsWeekly
MHA NewsWeekly Electronic Edition
March 22, 2004
Vol. 22, NO. 11
Quote of the Week
“Success seems to be largely a matter of hanging on after others have let go.”
~ William Feather
In this week's edition...
1. Survey Shows Black Population Unaware of Kidney Risk
2. MHA Hosting Forum for Recruiters and Workforce Developers
3. CareLearning Webinars Scheduled for April
4.Two Mississippi Hospitals Make the List: Solucient Names ‘100 Most-Improved Hospitals’
5. Rural hospital consortium awarded research grant
6. NAMI Mississippi holding 15th annual state conference on March 27
7. Medical Sholars
8. Fistula First: The National Vascular Access Improvement Initiative
9. Hot flash study
10. AHA, Quality Initiative Partners Pick 12 More Quality Measures
11. FEMA training catalogue now online
12. Drug Importation Task Force Members Named
13. Positions Available
In Memoriam: Lowery A. Woodall, Sr.
14. People in the News
15. News Around the State
16. MHA Education Calendar
1. Survey Shows Black Population Unaware of Kidney Risk
Health officials may have an uphill battle in educating blacks about a disease that’s being called a “silent killer,” a survey shows.
Kidney disease is an illness that’s become more prevalent, especially in the nation’s black population, but a survey conducted in Jackson, Atlanta, Baltimore and Cleveland shows only 15 percent of those surveyed thought they were at risk for getting the disease.
The National Kidney Disease Education Program surveyed more than 2,000 blacks 30 and older to assess their knowledge and awareness of kidney disease.
Dr. John Bower, a member of the local coalition directing Jackson’s program and former chief of nephrology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center, said the survey shows most people have no clue about how to prevent kidney disease.
“Kidney disease is a silent killer,” Bower said. “People find themselves in the emergency room, on dialysis, before they even know they have a problem. That’s why it’s so important to control diabetes and high blood pressure and have your blood and urine regularly tested... once you know you are at risk.”
The major risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure or a blood relative with the disease.
“The beautiful thing is that if we can control blood pressure and diabetes, it’s a good possibility that we can do something (about kidney disease),” Bower said.
About 20 million people have kidney disease in this country. Another 400,000 are on dialysis or have had a kidney transplant because their kidneys failed.
Although 90 percent of those surveyed had heard about kidney disease, only 15 percent thought their personal risk for getting the disease was higher than average.
Fewer knew how specifically to prevent it, but 44 percent of those polled had at least one of the major risk factors.
The survey will be used as a tool to design a yearlong pilot program aimed at reducing the number of blacks affected by the disease. In the next few months, health care officials will test the program in Jackson and the other three cities before taking it across the nation.
NOTE: The National Kidney Foundation of America is offering free kidney screenings on March 25 at the Jackson Medical Mall from 10 a.m. till 3 p.m. The foundation invites all who are at least 18 years old, have high blood pressure or chronic kidney failure or a family member with diabetes. For more information, call the National Kidney Foundation at (601) 981-3611.
Return to Top
2. MHA Hosting Forum for Recruiters and Workforce Developers
On April 8, the Mississippi Hospital Association will host a forum for recruiters and workforce developers at the Atrium Conference Center in Jackson from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. The forum will focus on the results of the Nursing Education Barriers Identification Survey conducted by the Office of Nursing Workforce. Some of the key areas of interest of the survey were level of educational preparedness and skills, preparedness upon entry into nursing school, recommendation of courses and skills needed prior to entry into nursing school, current job-related activities, barriers to successful completion of nursing school and plans for remaining in the local area.
The speaker for this event will be Wanda Jones, executive director of the Office of Nursing Workforce. Jones has over 20 years of health care administrative experience in hospitals and home health agencies. She holds a Master’s in Nursing Administration from USM.
The cost for this forum is $45 per person. For more information about the forum or to have a registration form sent to you, please contact Diane Clift at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3217 or dclift@mhanet.org. You may also register online here.
Return to Top
3. CareLearning Webinars Scheduled for April
CareLearning.com is now offering Webinars through their Web site, www.carelearning.com. Several companies, including the Mississippi Hospital Association, have joined together to offer these programs.
A Webinar is a relatively short (one to two hours), live, interactive presentation using the Internet and telephone conferencing lines. The learner has handouts downloaded from the Internet, sees the presenter's slides on screen, hears the presentation over the telephone connection, and can have a moderator submit questions over the Internet.
CareLearning Webinars are very cost-effective. Hospitals may sign up a group of people to participate and pay only one fee for the group. The prices are quoted as per telephone connection.
Below is a list of the Webinars available during April. For more details about a program, go to the CareLearning Web site and click on Webinars.
April 6, 9-11 AM CST - Understanding Health Care Reimbursement: Case Management Style - Merging clinical care with finance is no longer an optional activity. It is an essential component for health care excellence and survival. In this program, participants will learn how to incorporate financial management into the case management review process for improved patient care delivery and better clinical and financial outcomes.
April 7, 1-3 PM CST - Charge Masters-DME, Inpatient & Additional Areas - This module addresses durable medical equipment (DME), inpatient areas and special service areas. For each of the service areas discussed, the use of revenue center codes (RCCs), any coding and/or special payment system considerations are provided.
April 7, 1-3 PM CST - HIPAA-Operations Security - This program will review operational aspects for security including monitoring, auditing, accountability within the range of security threats and vulnerabilities.
April 14, 12-2:30 PM CST - Electrosurgical Surgery - This session describes the evolution of electrosurgery, highlighting changes that ensure safety. Electrosurgery devices and practices that minimize the hazards of electrosurgery will be discussed.
April 21, 1-3 PM CST - HIPAA-Applications & Systems Development - This program will review the systems development process and methodology in light of security concerns related to HIPAA.
April 30, 10 AM-12 PM CST - Utilization Management: The Foundation of Case Management - With the 6th Scope of Work, the Medicare PROs are now mandated to spend one-third of their time on inpatient and outpatient utilization management issues. This program is designed to help nursing leaders and utilization management personnel ensure that they are doing utilization management properly — with the right processes, in a timely manner.
If you have any questions about any of these programs, contact Judith Forshee at (800) 289-8884, (601) 368-3216 or jforshee@mhanet.org.
Return to top
4.Two Mississippi Hospitals Make the List: Solucient Names ‘100 Most-Improved Hospitals’
Two Mississippi hospitals landed on Solucient’s inaugural list of the "100 Most-Improved Hospitals." With the 100 Top Most Efficient Hospital’s award in its tenth year, Solucient used five years of data to analyze performance. Mississippi hospitals that made the list include:
North Mississippi Medical Center, Tupelo - Large Community Hospitals
Natchez Regional Medical Center, Natchez - Medium Community Hospitals
To select hospitals for its list of 100 improved performers, Solucient analyzed Medicare cost reports and Medicare Provider Analysis and Review, or Med PAR, data from federal fiscal years 1996 through 2001. A total of 2,866 hospitals were included in the study.
Solucient groups hospitals into five categories and then compares hospitals within each category. Those categories are: major teaching hospitals with 400 or more beds and significant teaching involvement; teaching hospitals with 200 to 399 beds; large community hospitals with 250 or more beds; medium community hospitals with 100 to 249 beds; and small community hospitals with 25 to 99 beds.
Return to Top
5. Rural hospital consortium awarded research grant
A consortium of three rural hospitals were recently awarded nearly $90,000 in federal grant money to develop what health care partners believe will be a model for rural networks in Mississippi.
On Dec. 31, Newton Regional Hospital in Newton, Neshoba County General Hospital in Philadelphia and H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital in Quitman--part of the newly organized East Central Mississippi Health Network--were awarded an $89,350 Rural Health Network Development Planning Program grant for contract research and analysis being provided by Mississippi State University. The program provides one year of funding for entities in rural communities that lack a significant history of collaboration. The network was one of only 12 groups chosen nationwide to participate in this first year of funding.
The counties--Clarke, Kemper, Neshoba and Newton--collaborated on the grant because of similar geographic features and because they share Meridian as a primary health care facility, which coincides with hospital district four. Because Kemper County does not have a hospital, the Kemper County Economic Development Authority will coordinate its share of the network planning. During the planning phase, MSU will develop a strategic plan for the health care network by completing a thorough assessment of the four counties' health care needs.
By the end of the grant year, the network plans to have a comprehensive community health strategic plan that will include a preventive health education plan, a proposal to overcome barriers to current health care services, a feasibility study for providing non-existing services or increasing limited services, strategies for addressing health care providers' needs and concerns and plans to seek implementation funding. Other network partners include East Central Community College, East Mississippi Community College, East Central Mississippi Health Care Inc., East Central Planning and Development District, Greater Meridian Health Clinic, Mississippi State Department of Health and Outreach Health Services. Weems Community Mental Health Center will also be added soon.
Return to Top
6. NAMI Mississippi holding 15th annual state conference on March 27
On Saturday, March 27, NAMI Mississippi will hold their 15th annual state conference, A Quarter Century of Changing Minds, at the Clarion Hotel & Convention Center in Jackson. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. and the program will begin at 10 a.m. CEUs have been applied for in social work, counseling, nursing and DMH certification.
Joe B. Lovelace, advocacy coordinator for NAMI Texas, will speak in the morning on how NAMI members can address the findings of the President's New Freedom Commission Report. In the afternoon, Linda Zwiefel, co-author of Visions for Tomorrow, will present on the rights of children in the public school system and address how parents can have success at making sure their child has the services and accommodations necessary for them to have the best opportunity for success in the educational process.
Registration at the door is $10 per person and does not include lunch. For more information, call (601) 899-9058 or (800) 357-0388.
Return to Top
7. Medical Scholars
Northeast Mississippi Community College and Mississippi State University are teaming up to help ensure the presence of health care providers throughout the state. The Rural Medical Scholars Program aims to identify the state's future primary care doctors and help them become members of the medical school class of 2013.
The program is sponsored by the Mississippi Rural Health Corps, a joint effort of MSU's Extension Service and the state's 15 community and junior colleges. Thirty students entering their senior year can attend the five-week Scholars program at MSU on July 5-August 6. Students with at least an ACT composite score of 25 will take two pre-med courses, zoology and college algebra, and observe doctors at practice throughout the program.
Selected scholars will receive free tuition, housing and meals during the program. Scholars are eligible for a full scholarship (up to $2,400 a year) at their sponsoring community college. A $35 registration fee will be required once students are accepted into the program.
Applications are due by April 22, For more information, contact Kenneth Pounders at Northeast Mississippi Community College at (662) 720-7207 or by e-mail at kpounde@necc.cc.ms.us. Applications and program details are also available online here.
Return to Top
8. Fistula First: The National Vascular Access Improvement Initiative
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have recently introduced Fistula First: The National Vascular Access Improvement Initiative. This quality improvement project is a collaborative effort of CMS, the 18 ESRD Networks and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) whose aim is to improve vascular access outcomes in the US, by increasing the use of the arterio-venous fistula (AVF) as the primary access for hemodialysis patients.
Vascular access problems play a significant role in hemodialysis adequacy, patient morbidity and mortality. There is a consensus among the experts that the AVF is the preferred access due to fewer complications, greater long-term patency, and less costs and burden for the patients, caregivers, and payers.
The Fistula First Project aims to fulfill the goals recommended by the National Kidney Foundation’s Dialysis Outcomes Quality Initiative (K/DOQI Guidelines): AVF rates of 50% or greater for incident patients, and at least 40% for prevalent patients undergoing hemodialysis.
The AVF rate for prevalent patients, reported by the 2002 CDC data, was 32.4% U.S.and 26.4% for the Network 8 region. This compares globally to AVF rates of 67-90% in European countries as reported by the Dialysis Outcomes and Practice Study (DOPPS).
Network 8, Inc., one of the 18 ESRD Networks in the US, is the quality improvement contractor for dialysis facilities in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee and is coordinating the Fistula First Project in this region. The Network will offer support, educational resources and professional contacts to aid in the implementation of the recommended practice changes, outlined in the Fistula First Change Package (described briefly below). A cooperative effort from all health care providers and systems involved in the care of the ESRD patient will be required to achieve success in this project.
For further project information and local project activities, please contact the Network 8 project coordinator, Ann Pridgen, at the Network 8 office. (Phone: 601-936-9260, Email: apridgen@nw8.esrd.net )
The Fistula First Change Package
Clinical and organizational recommendations based on best practices for increasing AVF use and improving hemodialysis patient outcomes:
- Routine CQI review of vascular access
- Timely referral to nephrologist
- Early referral to surgeon for “AVF only” evaluation and placement
- Surgeon selection based on best outcomes, willingness, and ability to provide access services
- Full range of appropriate surgical approaches to AVF evaluation and placement
- Secondary AVF placement in patients with AV grafts
- AVF placement in patients with catheters where indicated
- Cannulation training for AVF
- Monitoring and maintenance to ensure adequate access function
- Education for care givers and patients
- Outcomes feedback to guide practice
Return to Top
9. Hot flash study
The University of Mississippi Medical Center’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology is conducting a research study to compare the effects of an experimental drug versus a placebo, on how effective the experimental drug relieves hot flashes. To qualify participants must be post-menopausal and have at least seven hot flashes per day. All study-related tests, medical examinations and medications will be provided at no cost to the participant. The principal investigator is Dr. Bryan D. Cowan, professor and chairman of the department. Call (601) 984-5350 for more information or to volunteer for the study.
Return to Top
10. AHA, Quality Initiative Partners Pick 12 More Quality Measures
The American Hospital Association and other partners in the national hospital Quality Initiative agreed last week to include 12 new measures of care. Participating hospitals will be asked to share their data on seven additional measures for heart attack, heart failure and pneumonia -- including the median time it takes a hospital to deliver clot-busting thrombolytic medications to heart attack patients -- for display on a new consumer Web site in February 2005. Later that spring, hospital data also will be displayed for two new pneumonia measures and three measures for surgical infections, including antibiotic timing and selection.
The AHA and its partners plan to develop measures for more conditions, such as diabetes and cancer, in the future. Meanwhile, work continues on the first national standardized patient survey, known as HCAHPS. CMS said it is aiming to post survey results to the Medicare Web site in the fall of 2005. Hospitals first will have an opportunity to review and test the survey. To date, 3,185 hospitals have agreed to participate in the Quality Initiative and more than 1,400 hospitals are sharing data on the initiative’s initial 10 measures of care.
Return to Top
11. FEMA training catalogue now online
The Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) has issued its first catalogue combining courses for both the National Fire Academy (NFA) and Emergency Management Institute (EMI). The 272-page catalogue for fiscal year 2005 is available online immediately. The catalogue will also be available on paper later this month.
"The training offered at the NationalEmergencyTrainingCenter, while always important, has taken on increased urgency since the attacks of September 11," says Michael D. Brown, Under Secretary of Homeland Security for Emergency Preparedness and Response. "This new catalogue demonstrates the breadth of this training and the support given to it by President Bush and Homeland Security SecretaryTomRidge."
The catalogue includes a description of 264 courses, the NFA class schedule, the EMI course, and the on-line schedule. This year marks the first time the two institutions issued a joint catalogue. Both training facilities are located at the NationalEmergencyTrainingCenterin Emmitsburg, MD. The courses offered range in length from three days to two weeks and are appropriate for all members of the emergency management and firefighting community.
The catalogue includes two courses being offering for the first time: Command and General Staff Functions in the Incident Command System and Partnering for Fire Defense and Emergency Services Planning.Course tuition and lodging are free and transportation costs are reimbursable. Students pay only a small fee for meals.Access the online catalogue at www.usfa.fema.gov. Printed copies will be available after April 1. Order a printed copy through the Web site here or by calling (800) 561-3356.
The first semester application period opens May 1 and closes June 30. First semester includes classes scheduled October 1, 2004, through March 31, 2005. The catalogue contains application guidelines.
Return to Top
12. Drug Importation Task Force Members Named
DHHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced March 16 the thirteen members of the new Task Force on Drug Importation. The chairman of the task force is Surgeon General Richard H. Carmona. The task force will explore how to import drugs safely, and what the medical costs and impact on the health of patients will be. The members of the task force include representatives from DHHS and other federal agencies that are involved with drug importation issues. Several task force listening sessions have been planned for April and May for individuals and groups that would be affected by drug importation. To read DHHS' press release, click here.
Return to Top
13. Positions Available
South Mississippi State Hospital has openings for full-time RNs, 3-11:30 PM. For more information, contact Gwen Kelly or Ruthalyn Thomas at (601) 794-0100.
*******************************************
Baptist Health Systems is seeking an Education Coordinator. Must have RN with master’s degree. Teaching, critical care experience, CPR and ACLS instructor preferred. Apply at www.mbhs.org or call (800) 844-1084 ext. 3363 or (601) 960-3363 for more information.
*******************************************
Mississippi State Hospital is seeking an individual for immediate hire as Volunteer Program Manager. Preference will be given to applicants who possess strong leadership and communication skills. Resumes may be faxed to Kay Harrell at (601) 351-8222. For more information about the facility, visit www.msh.state.ms.us.
*******************************************
Natchez Regional Medical Center has an immediate opening for a full time Unit Manager in the Behavioral Health Unit (Geri-Psych). Two years relevant management experience required. MSN and certificate in psychiatric nursing preferred. Send resumes by mail to Natchez Regional, Attn: Human Resources, P.O. Box 1488, Natchez, MS 39121; by fax to (601) 443-2891; or by e-mail to lpugh@natchezregional.com.
*******************************************
North Mississippi State Hospital is currently accepting applications for Registered Nurses for our Tupelo campus and for our Crisis Intervention Center in Corinth. Must be licensed in the state of Mississippi. For an application or information, contact Human Resources at (662) 690-4200.
*******************************************
Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle is currently accepting applications for RNs on various shifts and staffing plans, an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, a radiologic tech, a nurse manager and a social worker/counselor. For more information or to apply, mail resumes to HR, 2520 5th Street North, Columbus, MS 39705 or fax to (662) 244-1564.
*******************************************
A for-profit surgery center in Mississippi has an immediate opening for an administrator. Previous experience in management of multi-specialty freestanding surgical centers or outpatient surgery clinics is required. For more information or to apply, contact Baumann & Associates, Inc., by mail at 2265 Roswell Road, Ste. 100, Marietta, GA 30062; by phone at (770) 509-2237 or by e-mail at jbaumassoc@aol.com.
*******************************************
A critical access hospital in southwest Mississippi has an immediate opening for a full time physical therapist or physical therapist assistant. MS licensure required. Contact Ginger Schwager, assistant administrator for operations, at Field Memorial Community Hospital in Centreville, by phone at (601) 645-5221 ext. 324, by fax at (601) 645-5842 or by e-mail at gschwager@fmch.org.
For a listing of additional hospital jobs available in Mississippi, visit www.mshealthjobs.com.
Return to Top
In Memoriam: Lowery A. Woodall, Sr.
Lowery A. Woodall, Sr., whose leadership over 34 years helped grow Forrest General Hospital into a regional medical center, died recently at his home. He was 74. Woodall joined the hospital as its chief administrator in 1962, and during his tenure as executive director, he spearheaded numerous expansions of the medical center and the addition of services. The outpatient surgery facility at the hospital is named after Woodall. He retired in 1996. Woodall also played a major role in securing funding for the Pearl River Community College Workforce Development Center, which is under construction in the Hattiesburg-Forrest County Industrial Park. The $3.37 million facility will be named after Woodall.
Return to Top
14. People in the News
Dr. James Fontanesi has been named professor and first chair of the Department of Radiation Oncology at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He comes from Cedars Sinai Medical Center where he was chairman of the same department and on staff at the Cedars-Sinai Comprehensive Cancer Center. He earned the MD at the American University. He completed an internship at Ellis Fishell State Cancer Center in Columbia, Missouri, and residencies at the University of Miami-Jackson Memorial Hospital and the West Coast Cancer Foundation. He took a fellowship in brachytherapy at the University of California, Davis/Veterans Administration Hospital.
*******************************************
Dr. Jasmine Taylor, associate dean of multicultural affairs for the UMC School of Medicine and assistant professor of psychiatry, has been named interim associate vice chancellor for multicultural affairs. Dr. Warren Jones served in the position until January, when he was named the state’s Medicaid director. She holds an MD from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she participated in the Medical Scholars Program and completed an internship and residency in psychiatry.
*******************************************
Lynn Replogle, aerobics/health education supervisor at North Mississippi Medical Center’s Wellness Center in Tupelo, was named one of the top aquatic directors in the nation by the U.S. Water Fitness Association.Replogle was ranked number 33 on the list.
*******************************************
Vickie Mitchell has been named director of corporate compliance and legal services at Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth. Also, Christy R. McRary has been promoted to director of cardiology at the hospital.
*******************************************
Charlie Dykes, BSN, infection control/employee health practitioner/patient safety coordinator at Southwest Mississippi Regional Medical Center in McComb, was chosen for a poster presentation at the 2004 Association for Professionals in Infection Control (APIC) Educational Conference and International Meeting in Phoenix, Ariz. The poster will be on display June 7-9. Dykes holds an RN and a BSN from the University of Southern Mississippi and has been with the hospital for seven years.
*******************************************
Bob Sellers has joined Jaquith Nursing Home in Whitfield as a quality assurance officer. He comes to JNH from the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs where he worked for 20 years as a hospital director at facilities in several states. Sellers earned his BA in political science from San Jose State University.
*******************************************
Paul Pinkerton has joined Mississippi State Hospital’s Human Resources Division as a personnel officer. He earned his BS in marketing from USM and an MBA with a concentration in HR management from the University of Alabama.
*******************************************
Kristi Reece, RN, of North Mississippi Medical Center-Iuka has been selected by her peers as the most recent Employee of the Quarter. Reece, who joined the hospital's staff in 1997, has been serving as a medical-surgical nursing supervisor since 2000. She is also helping implement a cardiac rehabilitation program for the hospital. She earner her associate's degree in nursing from Northwest Mississippi Community College and a bachelor's degree in nursing from the University of North Alabama. She is certified in Pediatric Advanced Life Support and is an instructor of Advanced Cardiac Life Support.
Return to Top
15. News Around the State
The University of Mississippi Medical Center Alliance, a nonprofit organization that supports UMC programs, will sponsor the first annual Spring Into Action fundraiser--a crafts fair and sale — from 9 a.m. till 2 p.m. on Friday, April 2, in the Clinical Sciences Walkway. For more information, call Laurie Cutrer at (601) 984-6435, Lori Evans at 984-6305 or Fran Russell at 985-5158.
*******************************************
North Mississippi Medical Center recently won two finalist awards in the national Telly Awards competition in the regional TV health care industry category. The winning commercial and video were produced by Springboard Brand & Creative Strategy, Ltd., a Chicago-based communications company.
*******************************************
North Mississippi Medical Center’s Wellness Center was ranked as one of the top aquatic and water fitness programs in the nation by the U.S. Water Fitness Association. The Center ranked eighth in nation for water fitness and 33rd for aquatic programming. Hank Boerner serves as director of the Wellness Center.
*******************************************
Mississippi State Hospital in Whitfield recently received the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for the Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations. The accreditation was awarded for a three-year period, including Jaquith Nursing Home and eight Community Service program in Hinds County. All MSH services scored above 90 out of 100 on the survey.
*******************************************
Mississippi State Hospital’s Opportunity House has moved into its new location at 824 W. Capitol Street in Jackson. The facility will hold an Open House on Thursday, April 1, at 1:30 p.m. Tours will be available until 2:30 p.m.
*******************************************
Mississippi State Hospital is selling Gail Pittman Easter eggs in their Gift shop, B-79. This year, Pittman created a matching bowl also. All proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity. If you order through the gift shop, shipping charges will be waived. You may also place orders and view the egg and bowl online at www.habitatjackson.org.
*******************************************
Biloxi Regional Medical Center in Biloxi recently instituted a new automated digital ordering system in the pharmacy. The OrderScan System, developed in-house by Health Management Associates, Inc., is an intranet-based system that enhances the speed of pharmacy orders between the nursing unit and the pharmacy by providing an electronic image of the order that can be expedited and tracked.
*******************************************
Forrest General Hospital will finish a portion of their ongoing expansion in early April, but the construction of its Critical Care Tower will continue. The completed portion includes increased accessibility to the ER from U.S. 49, a larger triage area, bigger waiting rooms and covered parking.
*******************************************
Natchez Community Hospital in Natchez is nearing completion of a million-dollar project to enlarge and improve the emergency room at the hospital. The project will bring hospital capital improvements and investments to about $2 million for the fiscal year. The expanded ER will have 10 treatment rooms and will create a fast-track in the ER. Other investments include replacing the hospital beds on the first floor with new ones at $300,000.
Return to Top
16. MHA Education Calendar
