Blackford Community Hospital Growing As Valuable Local Asset
Mar 12 , 2008
Blackford Community Hospital has been serving the community from its new facility for more
than three years. One word can summarize the first three years for BCH in its new home.
Growth.
“We have seen growth in nearly every area of the hospital in terms of services provided,” said
Steve West, President and CEO, Blackford Community Hospital. “Support from Cardinal Health
System has allowed us to expand the types of services we offer and to increase our capacity to
serve in other areas where there was a demand.”
One example of that growth can be found in the Sleep Lab. The Sleep Lab opened at BCH in March of 2006. In the first six months, the Sleep Lab saw approximately 40 patients. Today the
Sleep Lab has been opened at BCH for two years and in the last six months, more than 80 patients
have been seen. The Sleep Lab at BCH specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of sleep
disorders. Patients typically are monitored throughout the evening with sensors that evaluate 16
different body functions. The rooms are fit with room darkening shades, individual temperature
controls and noise reduction barriers to encourage sleep.
But the growth of services isn’t limited to just the Sleep Lab. Overall since July of 2007, the
inpatient volume at BCH is up 13 percent. Outpatient volume has seen similar increases as well,
while outpatient surgeries have increase 50 percent from the same point last year. West credits the
physicians and employees with making BCH the best it can be.
“People are beginning to discover that they don’t have to get in the car and drive across the state
to receive top quality healthcare,” he said. “Why drive one or two hours when you can receive the
same level of quality tests and physician care just minutes from your home?”
Through its specialty clinic, BCH offers the community access to care and treatment from highly
qualified, board certified physicians in more than 15 different specialties.
In the last year, BCH began offering a Pain Clinic through the specialty clinic, located in the
hospital offering medical and interventional pain management. These services are tailored to
individual needs and include initial evaluation and treatment of a variety of pain syndromes.
The 45,000 square foot Blackford Community Hospital has built to meet the changing healthcare
needs of the community. Since its opening in 2005, BCH has expanded existing services and
brought new services to the area to make it easier for those in the community to receive quality
healthcare without a long drive. Patients can look forward to continued growth and advancement
in the coming years and know that when they are in need, BCH will be there to provide access to
quality healthcare.
About Blackford Community Hospital (BCH)
Blackford Community Hospital is a 15-bed facility designated by Medicare as a Critical
Access Hospital. Blackford Community Hospital is accredited by the Joint Commission.
Steve West is President and CEO of Blackford Community Hospital.
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(765) 747-3111
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