CUTLINE 1– Pictured is Rhonda Crossett, Director of Women’s Services, discussing the neonatology program at HCMC to the Long Range Planning committee Thursday night. This was one of three service lines showcased during the meeting.

Paris, TN – This Thursday night was a very busy night in Henry County with several meetings and events happening including the Henry County Fair. Yet attendance was strong with members expressing joy and enthusiasm for the outstanding accomplishments of Henry County Medical Center this past year.

The Long Range Planning committee of HCMC meets four times a year and is an opportunity for community members to learn about services and help shape the goals and objectives for the next fiscal year. It is also an opportunity to see what has been accomplished with goals met and in-depth education on services that have impacted the medical center.

Lisa Casteel, CEO, began the meeting discussing the FY2019 strategic objectives, with HCMC accomplishing all but two of the strategic objectives for the year involving cardiology and collaboration with Carey Counseling, which both are in process. Casteel also shared that everything on the balanced scorecard metrics were in green or blue, except two measures including the emergency room door to physician wait times. Many strides are being made to improve this including changes with physician hiring in the ER as well as a new medical screening process. Casteel also pointed out that the Paris and Henry County Healthcare Foundation has raised $20,000 that will help the organization renovate and improve the Emergency Department area for a better patient experience as well.

After reviewing the accomplishments for FY2019, three managers showcased their accomplishments in their service lines which helped to support the organization and ultimately help HCMC have a positive bottom line for the year.

Rhonda Crossett, Director of Women’s Services, shared with the committee the new neonatology service, PedforAll and how it has truly impacted not just the bottom line at HCMC but also families in our community and region. This new service line which offers 24-hour coverage for moderate to high-risk deliveries, allows women that previously would have delivered at another facility, the ability to stay closer to home to deliver and care for their new little ones. The special care nursery admits newborns 32 weeks gestation or older.

In July, HCMC delivered 69 babies, the highest number ever for the organization. In 2018, HCMC saw 286 births and in 2019 had 534 births, an 85.7% growth rate. Families were able to stay here and moms could stay with their sick babies, being able to visit and care for them in a much more convenient manner than ever before.

Crossett shared a patient testimonial video by Sarah Rowlett, a high-risk pregnancy who was able to deliver twins at HCMC and utilize the special care nursery for her babies. To view her video, go to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/henrycomedcenter.

“I think this is the best thing we have done,” said Scott Whitby, MD, HCMC Board of Trustees Chair. “Keeping sick babies here with their families is outstanding and is what we are all about.”

Jeff Tucker, Director of HCMC In Home Equipment + Supplies, presented next on the durable medical equipment service line, offering some outstanding growth statistics as well.

“It is hard to follow Rhonda and bringing life into the world with wheelchairs and bedside commodes,” said Tucker. But, he absolutely did by pointing out the tremendous growth in services.

With four staff, Tucker began the journey of the service in 2015, taking a year to receive accreditation and contracts, but today offers the largest DME showroom between Nashville and Memphis with a customer satisfaction score of 99.53% and only 5 complaints in 33 months of service. And, the service line has only touched the surface, basically only servicing the hospital and hospital owned practices. Plans include adding new services and marketing to the community physicians outside the organization.

DeAnn Berry, Director of Critical Care and Cardiac Rehab, shared a presentation on the pulmonology service line and the massive growth seen in a very short amount of time that Dr. Jim Carruth has been at HCMC. Ventilator use on the unit has increased substantially with at least one per day being utilized. Ventilator use by hours went from 32 hours in January to 848 hours in July. Patient days in the unit have increased as well as admissions with 103 new admits at 20.4% increase in patient days.

“There is a common theme here,” said Kreg Kyle, HCMC Board of Trustees and County Commissioner. “There is no place like home and now we can keep patients here.”

Casteel discussed several opportunities where HCMC will continue to be able to share about growth including:

State of Healthcare presentation to the Henry County Commission in September
Profile of the hospital and rural healthcare on News Channel 5 to air sometime in August
A site visit from the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy, HRSA, and THA next week to showcase OB/GYN services, our grant programs, and how HCMC is transforming rural healthcare and making it work.

To learn more about HCMC and how we are growing forward to meet the needs of our region, visit us online at www.hcmc-tn.org.

About Henry County Medical Center

Located in Paris, TN, Henry County Medical Center is a progressive, integrated healthcare organization committed to serving the healthcare needs of Henry County and the adjoining region. Including a 142-bed hospital and 7 other facilities, the medical center provides a variety of outpatient services, as well as inpatient care. Henry County Medical Center is a county-owned and operated nonprofit institution. For more information: www.hcmc-tn.org.