Chamber Member of the Week: Perry County Memorial Hospital
Perry County Memorial Hospital (PCMH) has offered critical access care to southern Indiana and beyond since 1950. The Deaconess Health affiliate boasts a 25-bed acute care facility, emergency department, surgery center, and full range of outpatient services.
The hospital and its 4 off-campus clinics employ over 375 people, including board-certified physicians, registered nurses, and other specialists.
“Our mission is to provide high-quality healthcare and exemplary customer service in the most caring, compassionate, and effective manner,” said Katy Hart, director of marketing and business development. “We are dedicated to improving the health and quality of life for the communities we serve while reducing the burden of illness, injury, and disability.”
The idea for a hospital in the community dates back to 1945 when the community converted the old Perry County Infirmary into a hospital using field medical units from WWII. Construction teams finished the old hospital in 1950, and a complete staff began offering inpatient and outpatient services.
After exponential growth and evolution, PCMH added a riverside wing to house mammography, Nuc Med, and CT in 1963. Twelve years later, a second expansion doubled the size of the existing structure. In 1995, a $3.5 million addition added treatment rooms, an ED waiting area, physical therapy, and oncology.
After 70 years in the original structure with multiple additions, PCMH erected the current hospital in 2015, a state-of-the-art facility with 25 inpatient beds, 3 operating rooms, 8 emergency room bays, and a 4-room LDRP.
“Today, Perry County Memorial Hospital is the largest critical access hospital in the Deaconess System, generating over $150M a year,” Hart said. “In 2023, PCMH admitted over 700 patients, performed over 1,100 surgical procedures, saw over 8,600 patients in its emergency department, and more than 37K visits in its supporting physician and provider clinics.”
Hart said the hospital took monumental strides in 2023, reopening its ICU and increasing inpatient capacity from 12 to 18 patients. They also reopened the cardiac rehab unit, shifted to a new emergency department physician management group, and enhanced security coverage for patients and employees.
PCMH also expanded its EMS coverage, adding capacity for 3 EMS trucks on the road at all times, with a fourth coming next month. They’ve also entered into agreements with local companies for services such as imaging and lab services and improved their patient experience software.
“Our new patient experience software (NRC) will allow us to reach 100% of our patients to respond to patient concerns and help manage improving quality patient care at PCMH,” Hart said.
Harts said PCMH is only a 30-minute drive from Owensboro, and they’re eager to offer quality service and care to individuals and families across the region.
To learn more, visit https://www.pchospital.org/ or search PCMHospital on Facebook and Instagram.
By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times