PMC Update for Prowers County Commissioners

Prowers Medical Center

Craig Loveless, Chief Executive Officer of Prowers Medical Center, shared the latest developments at the hospital with Prowers County Commissioners this past Tuesday, August 20^th.

Loveless said the transition to the end of summer has been mostly routine, but there has been activity with the annual back-to-school vaccines and sports physicals. “This is a part of our overall wellness examination we offer,” he explained, adding that he was not surprised to learn that Prowers and Kiowa Counties are leading the state in new vaccinations.  “The county does a great job while PMC is more of an assist and augmentation provider at that level.”

The new orthopedics program continues to serve patients with Dr. Bomberg working steadily in surgery while his new physician’s assistant provides service with more common needs such as dealing with fractures or settings.

Loveless said the telehealth system at the hospital is proving its worth, offering inpatient care and having experts available 24/7 to provide a diagnosis soon after it has been sent to them, as well as the ability to view the patient in real time with the telecommunications equipment.

He noted the continued transition among hospital staff, “We’re seeing Dr. Foley leaving us in October and we have his position covered, although I’d prefer to have someone who would become a permanent replacement. Dr. Porter will be returning from his military deployment which will help and he’s already lined up schedules for his next five patients.”

The CEO told the commissioners that the MRI construction plans are being pushed back with construction not beginning until the spring and constructing the separate room to house the equipment would not be complete until sometime in 2021 at this point.

“Because we’re building an in-hospital room to house the MRI unit, we have to clear a department already in use and find room for it, plus another space for the other department being moved as well. It’s like a domino effect and the MRI unit will be constructed last of the three.”

According to Loveless, the new imaging device will probably be worth the wait, compared to the current model. “A patient usually spent about 45 minutes inside the MRI for their test and the new one reduces that to about 10 minutes.  The internal bore, where the patient lies, is expanded by several inches which is more accommodating and it’s also quieter.  The intense daily heat from this summer actually reduces the efficiency of the MRI’s magnets so we’ve had to schedule our appointments to the morning, but there’s been no real interruption of service,” he explained.

By Russ Baldwin