HMH re-examines its reach

Michelle Murphy said the term “hospital” no longer adequately describes the role Hardin Memorial Hospital plays in Hardin and surrounding counties.

Murphy, director of marketing and public relations for HMH, and her team have designed a new campaign she says better encapsulates the services HMH offers as a health system.

Murphy is packaging the concept as Hardin Memorial Health, which she said is “all-inclusive” and accurate now that the hospital has expanded its reach into areas like LaRue, Meade and Nelson counties.

During a presentation Tuesday to HMH’s board of trustees, she pointed out how the impact of HMH is felt throughout the region with diagnostic centers established in Bardstown, Brandenburg, Elizabethtown and Radcliff.

HMH also has expanded its therapy programs and has shown a more aggressive approach to employing physicians through professional agreements.

Murphy said the health system now employs physicians in 12 offices across Hardin, LaRue, Marion, Meade, Nelson and Taylor counties, specializing in fields such as family medicine, general surgery and neurosurgery.

HMH also has taken a leading role in health education through free screenings and its Wellness on Wheels program, she added.

Murphy said the level of accessibility created through these expanded services has caused HMH to outgrow the title of hospital alone.

“(Patients) don’t have to drive north 45 miles or down to Vanderbilt to get the services they want,” she said.

Murphy said the promotional campaign for Hardin Memorial Health will include radio and newspaper advertising as well as billboards. HMH also plans to promote the campaign on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.

But she stressed the hospital on Dixie Avenue will retain its name.
Murphy said the concept of a health system has been tested with new arrivals as part of the Base Realignment and Closure Initiative that are accustomed to a large health care system, but she has not received any negative feedback from those entrenched in the community.

Dennis Johnson, president and CEO of HMH, said he believes the campaign is appropriate as an indication of HMH's growth.

“I certainly think it’s very reflective of who we are now,” he said.

In other news:

The Hardin Memorial Hospital Board of Trustees approved a business plan Tuesday to replace its automated medication dispensing stations at a cost of $870, 571, which will be added to the 2012 capital budget later this year.

Elmer Cummings, chief financial officer, said the staff brought the request to the board so soon because it will take about six months to fully install and update the stations for use, with the hospital eyeing a September finish date.

The stations are automated inventory systems that control the dispensing of pharmaceuticals, according to the business plan presented.

Cummings said the hospital needs to replace the current cabinets because the vendor, CareFusion, is discontinuing them after September.

According to the plan, the stations improve accountability and are more efficient because nurses do not have to count controlled drugs manually. It also provides around-the-clock drug accessibility, removes a paper system and better ensures patients are getting the right drugs, according to the plan.

Three bids were entered, but the board chose to continue using CareFusion, the lowest bidder, at a total cost of $1,083,451 for five years of ownership, counting an annual service agreement.

Marty Finley can be reached at (270) 505-1762 or mfinley@thenewsenterprise.com.