by
Sean Ruck, Contributing Editor | September 11, 2015
From the September 2015 issue of HealthCare Business News magazine
HCBN: What has been the impact of the Affordable Care Act for your hospital?
TJ: As a rural and depressed area, expanding Medicaid was something really important to this community. We have not had issues with implementation, but we’ve also planned carefully. It’s nice when you’re a small facility. You can turn the ship pretty quickly, which is always a benefit.
HCBN: Are there any big projects in the works at Grays Harbor that you can talk about?
TJ: In 2007 we finished up a new ER, but we have some space in which it would be great to build a brand new OR. We’ve also been putting forth a major effort in community outreach programs. I’d say we’re semi-progressive with our focus on community health. Our hospital is involved with the Department of Health. We work with schools and the YMCA, law enforcement, and others, with the goal to keep people well, and if they do need services, make sure to meet their needs.
HCBN: What do you think rural facilities do well?
TJ: I think we are probably better with technology. We use a lot of telehealth for our stroke center. When we need resources and can’t get them, we’ll get them online connected with someone on our side. We’re pretty good at that. We know that technology is a must and it’s everywhere with the adoption rate incredibly high. Everyone has a Smartphone. If you thought for a moment you were hiring a brand new doctor without an EMR or one that’s competitive, you won’t get them. They have expectations that they’ll have technology to support them wherever they go and tech that works.
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