Last year alone, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center touched 50,000 lives, providing care for patients who were admitted to the hospital, in the emergency room and at outpatient visits. Emergency department physicians and staff saw nearly 36,000 patients seeking an urgent level of care last year. The hospital also admitted 10,532 patients and performed 7,500 surgeries. The Women's Center helped over 1,400 beautiful new babies enter the world.
"Delivering high quality healthcare close to home is the single most important contribution we make," said Bryan Bateman, CEO, "But there are many ways in which we make a positive impact on the communities we serve, and it's important for us to pause periodically and celebrate how our people are making a difference."
Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center quality of care has been recognized by respected agencies and national accrediting bodies, including Commission on Cancer Accreditation, Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services Designated Level ll Stroke Center, American Heart Association: Get With The Guidelines: Bronze Stroke Performance Achievement, Baby Friendly Hospital: Level 4 Destination Phase, The Joint Commission Hospital and Lab Accreditation, Chest Pain Center v5 with Primary PCI Accreditation and Accreditation Commission for Health Care Sleep Program.
"Our community changes over time, and we adjust our services to respond to the evolving medical needs. We invested $2.95 million in equipment, including our new $1.4 million MRI that enables us to perform procedures of higher quality for diagnosis and treatment decisions. With a larger bore magnet, we will also be able to take care of our population of larger patients."
In an ongoing commitment to further expand access to quality primary and specialty care, "we recruited three new providers to the medical staff and community last year, including Daniel De Oliveira, MD-Cardiovascular Surgery, Chad White, DO-Family Practice and Ashley Newman, FNP-Orthopedics," Bateman said.
As Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center continuously meets patient needs, it also gives back to the community, providing approximately $48.9 million in charity and uncompensated care to the area's most in need residents. Civic resources and services are also supported by the more than $3.21 million in property and sales taxes paid each year.
"We also enjoyed working with a number of local charitable and community organizations, most significantly, Boys and Girls Club, Alzheimer's Association, American Cancer Society, United Gospel Rescue Mission, American Heart Association, United Cancer Assistance Network (UCAN), multiple civil groups and local schools. Free health education seminars, community screenings and Senior Circle, are another way we help area residents take care of their health. Learn more about our calendar of events on our website, www.poplarbluffregional.com."
Bateman added, "Thanks to our talented medical staff, compassionate employees and committed volunteers and board members, we are able to advance the services for our patients and community. Exciting plans are in the works for this year and we look forward to sharing more in the coming days and months."