Carle Health System, RMH Join Forces

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Published on April 3 2017 5:55 pm
Last Updated on April 3 2017 5:55 pm
Written by Greg Sapp

April 1 marked the date that locally owned and operated Richland Memorial Hospital and the Carle health system joined to care for patients.

“Our focus is and always will be providing care to those who need us in Richland County and the surrounding area, and we understand that means we must have the right resources – whether it’s facilities, equipment or specialists – to deliver even better care,” said David Allen, chief executive officer of Carle Richland Memorial Hospital. “We are very enthusiastic about what we’ll be able to do together with Carle.”

The agreement brings the 134-bed hospital and associated healthcare services with more than 550 employees into the Carle health system as an independent operating unit. Future plans include expanded surgical suites and a new medical office building. The integration builds on an already-strong partnership. The two organizations have collaborated to serve patients even before entering into a clinical affiliation agreement in 2014. RMH is part of Carle’s Rural Alliance for Exceptional Care, partnering with regional hospitals to address health needs and disparities.

“We’re thrilled to come together with Richland Memorial Hospital because the organization shares Carle’s core beliefs that quality care and strong operational practices are necessary to achieve the level of care that patients deserve,” said James C. Leonard, MD, president and CEO for The Carle Foundation. “We can only address the needs of people in this region by working together so that patients can get the care they need closer to home.”

Carle Richland Memorial Hospital is the third hospital in the system. Hoopeston, Illinois-based Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center joined in 2012 and since then has worked to address health disparities through enhanced physician recruitment, information technology and other initiatives the hospital could not have done on its own. Like Carle Hoopeston Regional Health Center, plans include bringing Carle Richland Memorial Hospital onto the Epic electronic medical record platform, which is intended to support better continuity of care, more efficient treatment, and ultimately higher quality care for patients when they receive services at any Carle location.

“Today is the beginning of our transition that will benefit patients, employees and the entire community. We are excited start the process that will ultimately result in improved health for our region,” said Allen.

Those in the community will see signs of the transition at the facilities, with additional updates to support patients in the months and years ahead. With ongoing emphasis on local vision, Carle Richland Memorial Hospital will remain under local governance with a local board and local administrators who will continue to manage day-to-day operations.