Indiana University Health Frankfort and White Memorial hospitals were recently awarded Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP) grants from the Indiana Hospital Association via the State Office of Rural Health.
With the funding, both hospitals were able to purchase portable X-ray machines. The use of portable X-ray machines benefits both providers and patients for several reasons:
- The portable X-ray helps eliminate transports and extra movements of patients. In emergent cases, moving a critically ill patient to the radiology department for chest, skeletal and abdominal X-rays may cause complications.
- Imaging patients at the bedside helps to eliminate the spread of contagious disease, like COVID-19, that could occur during patient transportation.
- Portable X-ray machines can take less than 20 minutes, eliminating long wait-times for results and allowing the technologists to get high-quality images in a short time. The digital image allows physicians to read results and treat patients quickly.
- There is a significant reduction in radiation exposure when using portable radiology devices.
With the additional funding, Frankfort was also able to continue support for a COVID-19 screener at the main hospital entrance, purchased two isolation carts for the inpatient unit and upgrade office space for critical hospital staff.
White Memorial Hospital additionally purchased five isolation carts for the inpatient unit plus window kits for inpatient doors. Currently, all inpatient rooms have solid wood doors. Adding a window to a few of the rooms allows team members to observe patients with COVID-19 without the need to don and doff PPE.
White Memorial was also able to purchase cleanable and wipeable furniture for all common areas throughout the hospital and medical office building. The team paid it forward by donating the previous fabric furniture to the Boys & Girls Club of White County, the Monticello Parks and Recreation Department and the White County Council on Aging.
“Funding from the SHIP grants allows critical access hospitals like Frankfort and White Memorial to continue to offer the best care for our patients, close to home,” shared Mary Minier, president of IU Health White Memorial Hospital.
About SHIP: The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (FORHP) makes funding available to assist small rural and critical access hospitals implement requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The Indiana State Office of Rural Health provides funding to the Indiana Hospital Association who works with subject matter experts and professional consultants to provide education and training to all eligible hospitals. SHIP eligible hospitals include rural and critical access hospitals with 49 beds or less.