There have been a number of changes at the new Delta Health System hospital in Clarksdale over the past four months.
Delta Health Systems purchased Northwest Regional Medical Center from CHS in February after almost a year of planning and preparation for the move and Scott Christensen, CEO of the Greenville hospital, came before the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors last week to explain some of those changes and talk about others.
“There have been a lot of changes and, overall, I feel good about those changes,” said Christensen, who along with the DHS Clarksdale Administrator Janet Benzing, spoke to the board. “We have started four major project and want to share these ideas with you and the community.”
Renovations
Parts of the Clarksdale hospital date back to 1950 and Christensen said some of those areas are showing their age. He talked of a need for elevators, heating and cooling needs, roofs and reworking the solarium across the front of the hospital.
Christensen said while tearing down the Flowers Wing was discussed with the previous owner, DHS is looking at remodeling the big old building and possibly using it for a long-term care facility for the elderly.
“I also want you to know we are committed to the ER (Emergency Room) and that has been our first priority,” said Christensen. “We have significantly reduced the wait time in the ER to 19 minutes from the time you walk in to the time you see a doctor.
The previous wait had been up to an hour and Christensen said the new focus is to improve the patient experience anywhere they come in contact with people or facilities at DHS Clarksdale. He said the Clarksdale emergency room is seeing between 50 and 60 patients come through its door every day.
Christensen said they have also improved the bed occupancy rate from the teens to about 46 patients. He did say COVID-19 had prompted some of that.
“What we are doing is keeping our patients and not sending them to another hospital,” said Christensen. “There was too much of that going on.”
Christensen said DHS has also purchased more than $270,000 in new diagnostic equipment in the four months they have been managing the Clarksdale hospital.
Healthcare Industry
Christensen said there have been changes with doctors with some moving on to other hospital and some contracting to stay in Clarksdale.
“We are working diligently to recruit both new doctors and nurses,” said Christensen. “Clarkdale needs the right doctors and there is a need for more and more good doctors and nurses in rural healthcare across the country.”
Board of Supervisor President Johnny Newson urged Christensen to develop a 10-year plan for the hospital.
“We are doing just that,” said Christensen. “Healthcare needs to be viewed at the industry that it is. The jobs and payroll and the money spent by a hospital in a community are a huge economic driver.”
DHS is working to partner with agencies and other clinics in the area to provide a comprehensive form of healthcare for Clarksdale.
In may DHS announced that the Aaron E. Henry Community Health Service Center was almost finished with a detailed, three-year, $750,000 study aimed at figuring out ways to attract and keep African American doctors in the Mississippi Delta.
Christensen thanked the Coahoma County Board of Supervisors for working with DHS to make the transition and bring a culture of excellence to Coahoma County.
Clarksdale's Hospital
Coahoma County signed a deal to transfer Northwest Regional Medical Center from Community Health System to Delta Health System, in mid-January. The core of that agreement was a lease that was transferred from CHS to DHS out of Greenville, modifying tax payments and get assurances on physical plant changes to the hospital.
In a statement released Nov. 4, NMRMC said DHS has signed an initial agreement seeking to manage the hospital and its related physician clinics and outpatient services.
Clarksdale was DHS’ first hospital acquisition outside of Greenville and DHS has gone on to purchase the hospital in Senatobia.
DHS is a not-for-profit corporation owned by Washington County and as such does not pay property taxes. Coahoma County’s concern with no local representation on the DHS Board of Directors has been discussed. By-laws setting up the hospital in Greenville require all board members to be from Washington County. It appears legislation would be needed out of Jackson to change that.
DHS told supervisors in October it had been talking with CHS about this transition or deal for more than eight months.
Supervisor said at that time DHS “appeared to be a good fit for Clarksdale.”
Hospital Statistics
The current 181-bed hospital in Clarksdale was built in 1952 and much of the infrastructure at the sprawling facility is in need of repair. It has been suggested the hospital footprint be reduced to about 50 beds.
The Clarksdale hospital sees roughly 24,000 people annually through its emergency room, which acts as “the front door” for the hospital.
The hospital is currently a Level 4 Trauma Center meaning they can handle most emergencies and can perform surgery to stabilize patients before sending them to a Level 5 Trauma Center – the medical professions highest level of emergency care.
The Clarksdale hospital is also a primary stroke center and routinely offers a better outcome for patients who have had a stroke. The hospital is also an accredited chest pain center.
The hospital has a Labor and Delivery Suite, which includes two labor/delivery rooms, five regular labor rooms, two delivery rooms and a 23-bassinet newborn and intensive care nursery. Northwest Regional saw over 700 births in 2018 or about two a day.
The purchase agreement includes a commitment for all employees in good standing at the time of the transaction close to continue employment with their current compensation levels and seniority. DHS has said it has plans to invest in its new employees through training, benefits and upward mobility opportunities.
