How Phelps Memorial Health Center is Leading the Way in Rural Healthcare
The healthcare industry has always been integral to humanity, and with the pandemic straining resources and testing healthcare systems’ ability to cope, the need for efficient and effective health care has never been more critical. With rural areas often lacking the same level of resources and technology as major population centers, it’s essential to find entities that are driving change and providing vital medical services to rural communities, and Phelps Memorial Health Center (PMHC) is doing just that.
Background
Located in Holdrege, a town of approximately 5000 residents, Phelps Memorial Health Center serves as a regional center for medical care and offers a range of healthcare services. PMHC is a critical access hospital that serves nine counties in South-Central Nebraska, and its mission is to provide high-quality, accessible health care services to the people it serves while continuously striving to improve its medical care delivery system.
Case Studies
One of the notable ways that PMHC is leading the way in rural healthcare is through its Telehealth program. In 2018, PMHC Workforce Development Director Linda Bishop learned about the Telestroke Program developed by the Marcus Stroke and Neuroscience Center at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia. Although it did not yet exist in Nebraska, Linda and her team knew that this program would benefit the community and set out to bring it to South-Central Nebraska.
The program has been a resounding success, allowing PMHC to provide emergency care for patients suffering from a stroke beyond its primary service area. It connects the hospital’s stroke team with remote clinics in nearby communities to carry out assessments and treatments, such as video consultations and remote monitoring of vital signs, to help stabilize patients before transfer.
The Telestroke Program is just one example of how PMHC is using technology to deliver medical care to rural patients. The Center is also focused on introducing Electronic Health Records (EHR) with the aim of improving patient care by enhancing data management and information transparency.
Conclusion
PMHC has demonstrated its commitment to healthcare excellence by leveraging technology to provide better patient outcomes and medical care delivery. By investing in robust healthcare infrastructure and fostering a culture of innovation, PMHC is leading the way in rural healthcare. PHMC’s willingness to adopt bleeding-edge techniques and adapt to change has helped it earn recognition as a leading healthcare institution not only in Nebraska but other areas of the country as well. As a result, PMHC is an essential factor in ensuring equitable healthcare access for all patients, regardless of their geographical location.
