MRHS Adds Several Services in 2016

BY MELANIE BUCK –

Mena Regional Health System had a busy year during 2016, with campus projects, surgeries, babies, and much more. MRHS CEO Jay Quebedeaux said that some of the biggest changes at the hospital during 2016 included changing ER groups, implementing digital mammography, an infusion therapy line, and resumed total knee and hip replacement surgeries.

In December, The Sessions Group took over Emergency Room services, bringing in new doctors and placing an emphasis on customer service. “They are very customer service oriented and I think they’re going to do a great job for us,” said Quebedeaux. “We are trying to turn a corner with better customer service and feel that Sessions will help us with that.”

“We are very proud of our digital mammography. It was the last piece of non-digital equipment,” Quebedeaux explained. With the digital machine, patients will be able to obtain a disc to take to another doctor. “It has really increased our mammography business. It’s a more thorough test and a pretty sizeable investment. We’re happy to have been able to do that.”

MRHS also began a new infusion therapy line around three months ago. Infusion therapy treats an array of chronic illnesses and Quebedeaux said the new service will keep many patients from having to travel long distances to get the treatment.

Resuming total hip and knee replacements has been a key to the hospital’s success throughout 2016. With the addition of Dr. Tariq Nazi, Orthopedic Surgeon, those surgeries have returned. A nurse practitioner will join him soon. Specialty clinic services have also expanded to DeQueen and have created a partnership with the hospital there in a deal that Quebedeaux said benefits both hospitals.

MRHS also fixed their long-time drainage issues and with that allowed them to lay new flooring down in the front entrance.

MRHS was also named as one of iVantage Health Analytic’s Top 100 Rural and Community Hospitals in the United States.  The iVantage Hospital Strength INDEX is the industry’s most comprehensive rating of rural and critical access hospitals.  Hospitals are measured across more than 70 different performance metrics, including quality, patient outcomes, patient perspective, affordability, population risk and efficiency.

“Mena Regional Health System is proud of the efforts of our physicians and staff who have contributed to our achieving this designation,” stated Quebedeaux. “As the only rural hospital in Arkansas that made the Top 100 List, we will continue to work diligently to increase quality, patient outcomes, safety and satisfaction while achieving that value with reduced costs and charges. Without the support of our local community, these accomplishments would not have been achievable.”

Quebedeaux was also pleased about their number of patient visits to their various offices. Totals for 2016 include 21,504 Clinic Visits; 8,647 Emergency Department Visits; 1,257 Surgeries; 1,401 Admitted Patients; and delivered 295 babies.

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Jeri Pearson

Jeri is the News Director for Pulse Multi-Media and Editor of The Polk County Pulse. She has 10 years of experience in community focused journalism and has won multiple press association awards.

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