Officials: Freestanding ER in Bamberg County will improve health care access, availability
The
Sen.
"Health care in rural
The Bamberg County Hospital Board voted to close its hospital's doors in
The new 24/7 facility will be located on 10 acres of land adjacent to
During the special meeting, Hutto said
"Hopefully, construction will start within three months. This time next year, it'll be open for business," SCA's Black said.
Hutto said the project "vision" involves expansion to include mental health and alcohol and drug-treatment services and private physician practices.
"We believe the future is bright. We see a positive coming out of this," said Hutto, who welcomed council's input in naming the facility.
The facility will offer 24-hour emergency care to include CT scanning, X-ray and ultrasound diagnostic imaging and lab and observation services.
Brown said the facility will have all the amenities needed for a standard emergency department, including 13 observation rooms, and will be equipped to handle ambulance and walk-in traffic.
Williams said three observation beds will be available to take care of patients overnight. Incoming patients will access not just emergency care, but diagnostic services and outpatient lab and X-ray services, she said.
The projection is five doctors providing services to patients in the emergency department, Williams said.
Hutto said RMC's affiliation with telehealth medical services through a partnership with the
He said individuals in emergency situations will no longer have to travel long distances, adding that the "health care desert" the region has become will be revitalized and "hopefully benefit everybody."
Bamberg Rescue Squad Operations Manager
Councilman
Hutto said the state has adjusted the Medicaid reimbursement rate through which RMC receives those funds, with the increased revenue from that incentive serving to keep the operation afloat. Medicaid is the state-run insurance system for low-income residents.
Matthews later said the process of improving health care in the region started approximately 2-{ years ago. He said "there's no question" about the emergency department's sustainability because the state (
"We changed RMC's classification from an urban hospital -- which it should have never been -- to a rural hospital, and that changed the reimbursement rate from 47 percent to 80 percent. So in doing that, they asked us to provide health care for the two proposed counties," Matthews said.
"We had to build a facility and operate it. They will be operating at a net loss, but the new revenue will cover that. Something is better than nothing. I think it's absolutely beneficial to Bamberg and
Williams said, "We're going to get a little enhanced reimbursement for this project. The state sees the need for services in
"I think it's going to make a positive difference in some cases where time is a big factor," she said. "Those areas at this given time can't sustain a hospital. With a freestanding emergency room and a regional hub like the
RMC opened an urgent care center in
"I'm sure the hospital wouldn't enter into a venture like that without having looked into every aspect of its viability," Comer said. "I know it's going to be over a year before it's a reality, but we're on that path. So I'm satisfied. A hospital would have been better, but it's good that we've got the emergency room coming."
"I believe that in rural America, the days of every single county having its hospital have long sailed,"
The legislator said he is not concerned about the facility's financial future.
"All business ventures have risks ... this is most certainly a risk worth taking. What I anticipate us seeing is that this venture is going to be successful and can serve as somewhat of an example for others to follow," Bamberg said, adding that the project is not about politics but meeting critical health care needs.
Rep.
"Everyone would want a hospital in their back door or front door, but that's not going to be possible. In the future, things are going to the regional concept. We weren't quite sure what the model should be but after several studies, it looked like the emergency room was the best option."
Black said he appreciated RMC for its dedication, along with the legislative members who helped get project funding.
"You always have people that are going to be negative about it, but in the end, it's the right thing to do at the right time and with the right team," he said. "We're ready to go."
Contact the writer: [email protected] or 803-533-5534. Follow "Good News with Gleaton" on Twitter @DionneTandD.
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