The Washington County Regional Medical Center is set to soon see improvements in multiple areas following a county bond investment and state grant.
Recently, the Washington County Board of Commissioners announced the investment of $15 million in bonds for renovations at the hospital.
With this funding, WCRMC plans to overhaul the emergency department, rehabilitate inpatient rooms, and revamp resident rooms at the hospital’s Extended Care Facility.
Specific goals in the ER renovation include improving patient privacy and designating certain spaces for mental health predicaments and pediatric emergencies. In child crises, the hospital will utilize new equipment from Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.
Washington County Regional Medical Center also intends to replace their 20-year-old MRI machine and continue their progress in receiving a level four trauma designation. Through the enhancements, WCRMC would be able to conduct post-COVID-19 cardiac studies – becoming one of only two hospitals in the state of Georgia performing such work.
Last week, it was reported that the hospital will additionally receive $500,000 from the Department of Community Health’s Dual Track Rural Hospital Support Program. 13 rural hospitals will split $6 million in overall awards from the Georgia DCH.
The medical facilities obtaining funds will have the option of utilizing the money towards graduate medical education programs or direct hospital support.
Graduate medical education funds financially assist training for physicians who have completed medical school but intend to further their learning in a particular specialty of medicine. Direct hospital support can be used in a variety of ways to increase access to healthcare, ensure adequate staffing, or make financial and operational improvements.
Nearby rural hospitals also receiving Dual Track Rural Hospital Support Grants include Fairview Park Hospital in Dublin, Atrium Health Navicent Baldwin in Milledgeville, Jefferson Hospital in Louisville, Emanuel Medical Center in Swainsboro, and Putnam General Hospital in Eatonton.