Rush County Memorial Hospital announced Friday that the hospital will be transitioning to a ‘rural emergency hospital.’ The hospital will continue to provide a 24/7 emergency room, lab and radiology services, outpatient care, physical therapy, the Wellness Center, and the medical clinic. In addition, Locust Grove Village will continue to provide nursing home services. The intermediate swing bed unit (formerly long-term care) will be closed. In addition, the rural emergency hospital model does not support inpatient services such as swing bed and acute care. The hospital cites Covid, reimbursement changes, declining population, and increasing business costs as the reasons behind the change. “The decisions were made with careful consideration to the impact they would have on our community,” a statement from the hospital reads. The hospital will hold a town hall meeting to discuss the changes and answer questions Thursday, February 15, at the La Crosse City Auditorium.
Source: KAKE – News
