Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center is Vital to Southeast Missouri
3/28/2024
Delivers essential medical services and broad impact to the larger community
POPLAR BLUFF, MO, March 28, 2024 – Throughout 2023, Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center (PBRMC) played a vital role in helping people get well and live healthier at more than 331,000 patient encounters across its hospital and growing network of Regional Physician Services clinics and other outpatient sites of care.
At more than 40,000 emergency department visits each year, lifesaving medically necessary care is provided for all patients regardless of their ability to pay. Members of the community who cannot fully afford their medical care are provided deep discounts or even charity care and the hospital has resources to help them secure medications and medical support devices. Last year, PBRMC provided more than $53.9 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable.
“PBRMC plays a vital role in our community around the clock, every day of the year to help people get well and live healthier,” said Clyde Wood, chief executive officer for PBRMC. “Regardless of holidays or challenging weather, our dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers are using their skills, experience, and compassion in service to the patients who are counting on us.”
Support for social determinants of health in the community includes financial donations for charitable organizations such as Boys & Girls Club of the Heartland, Bread Shed and Haven House, and acts of service such as the Jars of Love Peanut Butter drive which collected more than 9,500 jars of peanut and other nut butters for the SEMO Food Bank to address food insecurity across the region.
PBRMC applies its resources to medical services, facilities, and technologies that patients want to access close to home. We have 3 interventional cardiologists on the medical staff performing a range of procedures and the recruitment of a cardiothoracic and vascular surgeon will help us establish an open heart surgery program in 2024. More than 15 thousand hearts are beating stronger following cardiac care such as diagnostic tests, cardiac catheterization, and nuclear & vascular services, received at the Cardiovascular Institute of Southern Missouri in 2023. In addition to cardiovascular services, PBRMC offers a comprehensive array of medical specialties including orthopedics, pulmonology, surgery, and critical care. Access has been enhanced with the addition of teleneurology and tele-ICU services to support medical staff and patients, in addition to the recruitment of primary care providers. Plus, a new communication network app was introduced to help streamline communication between EMS and the ER. This diverse range of services ensures that patients have access to high-quality medical care within their local community.
Capital improvements totaling more than $11.3 million were made to upgrade the electronic medical records and patient monitoring systems, enhancing the patient experience.
Civic resources and services are supported by PBRMC’s tax payments of more than $14.1 million and the payroll of more than $105.7 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services.
Workforce development remains a priority and strong relationships with local nursing and technical programs through collaborative programs with Three Rivers College, Black River Technical College, and Poplar Bluff Technical Career Center. In addition, PBRMC collaborated with Heartland Forward, a grant project under the Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities (WORC) program, titled High School to Career Pathway & Mentoring for Nursing Program. PBRMC’s Internal Medicine Residency Program has 18 students and will graduate its inaugural cohort of residents in May 2024.
Wood continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have that adds up to more than $207.7 million last year. We recognize that our services are essential to this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide quality health care and make Southeast Missouri a healthier, better community for all.”
To help the community live healthier, PBRMC offers a free e-newsletter with a monthly dose of health and wellness inspiration sent directly to your inbox. Sign up at www.pbrmc.com/enewsletter-sign-up.
Back