Source: The News-Enterprise
While attorneys exchange legal documents in the appeal process, life continues as normal for Hardin Memorial Health.
The sale of the hospital and its nearly 50 related health care entities to Baptist Health remains on hold while a legal challenge brought by retired local physician and former HMH chief medical officer Dr. Larry Hall continues. That unexpected delay easily could led to operational inertia grinding to a halt. But the HMH leadership including county government officials refuse to stand still.
While communicating and coordinating with Baptist, as it has for 20-plus years under a management agreement, improvements continue to be made.
Most recently was the announcement that HMH’s Cancer Care Center will receive more than $3 million in new equipment, including a 3-D mammography unit, a linear accelerator for radiation therapy and two surgical C-arms.
The investment in infrastructure needs helps keep the cancer center up to date and addresses its continued patient growth.
HMH Chief Operating Officer Tom Carrico said the patient numbers are up nearly 7 percent from fiscal year 2018. Since its move to the Robinbrooke area, the Cancer Care center is becoming a destination of choice when cancer strikes.
By replacing well-served but older equipment, HMH will avoid some maintenance expenses and perhaps more importantly it avoids downtime and the related inconvenience to patients.
Thankfully, the legal dispute that’s delayed the county government’s exit from the volatile health care business has not impacted the resolve of the magistrates and Judge-Executive Harry Berry to provide better solutions for patients in their role as HMH’s board of trustees.
This editorial reflects a consensus of The News-Enterprise editorial board.
