Innovating Rural Health Capital Campaign
In July 2007, a campaign began to fund the vision for the future of health care in our community. Richardton Memorial Hospital is now Richardton Health Center. Some very dedicated people have worked extremely hard to produce a sustainable model for Health Care in Richardton and the surrounding area. But we need your help! Click here to download our brochure or click here to download the Case for Support Statement (Microsoft Word Format)
FAQ's
Richardton Health Center Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the Richardton Hospital converting to a Skilled Nursing Facility?
We are transitioning to a Skilled Nursing Facility for several reasons. First, we have determined that if we continue to operate as a Critical Access Hospital it will eventually lead to our closing. It simply is not financially feasible to continue operating as a hospital. Second, it is clear that to ensure the future for St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center in Dickinson, they must acquire the Critical Access Hospital designation. This could only be accomplished by acquiring this designation from Richardton. Third, we strongly believe that the best option to ensure our future is to transition to a Skilled Nursing Facility with a primary care clinic.
2. Is the hospital closing?
The hospital is transitioning to a Skilled Nursing Facility with a primary care medical clinic. We will no longer be licensed as a primary care Critical Access Hospital. The new Skilled Nursing Facility will be called the Richardton Health Center.
3. What will happen to the clinic?
The clinic will remain open. A market analysis completed more than a year ago indicated that there is a need for primary care services in our community and that our current market share was only 15%. There is a need and much potential to grow a primary care medical clinic.
4. Will there be a doctor at the clinic every day?
Currently, the clinic is open five days per week staffed one day with Dr. Tanya Skager and the other days with Sr. Michael Emond, PA-C and several other mid-level providers. After the transition, the plan is to have Dr. Skager work 3-4 days per week and Sr. Michael (or another mid-level provider) working 2-3 days per week.
5. What will happen to the emergency room?
The loss of 24-hour emergency services is without question the most serious issue involving this transition. After-hours emergency services will be terminated on the day the hospital becomes a Skilled Nursing Facility. We are hopeful, however, that we will be able to continue providing urgent care services with some expanded hours through the medical clinic. Urgent care services will still be available at the clinic during normal business hours.
6. What services will be available at the nursing home?
Richardton Health Center will be a typical, although small, nursing home, providing essentially the same services provided by other nursing homes throughout the state of North Dakota. We will continue to emphasize inpatient rehabilitation services (physical, speech and occupational therapy) and participate in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
7. How will Dickinson benefit from receiving Critical Access Hospital designation?
St. Joseph’s Hospital has determined that achieving Critical Access Hospital designation is essential for its financial future and for the future of the people and communities throughout the greater Dickinson and Richardton communities. Acquiring this designation is one of many strategies they are pursuing to address their serious financial situation. Failure to acquire this designation will seriously impact the ability of St. Joseph’s Hospital to continue serving the greater Dickinson and Richardton communities.
8. How will Richardton benefit from converting from a hospital to a nursing home?
RHC has struggled financially these past several years and will continue to struggle in the future unless something is done. Converting to a Skilled Nursing Facility with a primary care medical clinic is seen as our best option to maintain health care services within our community.
9. Is there a need for a nursing home in Richardton?
Yes. The market analysis completed more than a year ago indicated that there is a need for up to 36 skilled nursing home beds for our service area. Over the years RMH has provided nursing home care through its expanded swing bed program (acute care bed used as a long term care bed) and has averaged an occupancy of almost 17 residents over the past several years. There is a definite need for long-term care within our service area, which includes the communities of Hebron and Taylor.
10. RHC received a $991,700 federal grant. Why do you need more?
Even though we have received significant funds through the HRSA Grant and from St. Joseph’s Hospital, none of these dollars can be used to address our debt or to sustain operations during our transition to a Skilled Nursing Facility. Additional funds are needed to address debt service and operational needs to ensure a successful conversion.
11. If you don’t raise the money, what will happen?
Failure to raise the funds to retire debt and support operations during this transition period will likely result in the eventual closing of both the hospital and the clinic.
12. May I pledge a gift?
Yes. We are seeking cash gifts to reach our goal but will accept and encourage pledges and bequests as well.
13. I gave to RHC’s Capital Campaign, why should I give again?
Donations to our initial campaign were essential in keeping RHC open for the past couple years and to allow us to develop a sustainable plan for the future. Simply stated, without these donations RHC would not be here today. Your continued support will help ensure the future of local healthcare services for the greater Richardton area.
For information regarding our Capital Campaign or a brochure, contact our campaign chairwoman Kathy Hueske khueske@ndsupernet.com or call her at 701 974-3561