May 8, 2018
NORTON, Kan. – Hospitals in Kansas and across the U.S. are celebrating National Hospital Week, May 6-12. This annual observance celebrates the men and women who, day in and day out, support the health and well-being of their communities through dedication and compassionate care. Celebrated since 1921, National Hospital Week emphasizes the valuable contributions hospitals make in our communities, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
The theme for National Hospital Week 2018 is “Caring is Our Calling.” Norton County Hospital is hosting various celebrations among staff during the week, and patients should be sure to stop by the hospital and Norton Medical Clinic on Thursday, May 10th for Patient Appreciation Day.
Norton County Hospital is a 25-bed critical access hospital and Level IV trauma center, has the Norton Medical Clinic and has a foundation, the Norton Regional Health Foundation. The hospital and its clinic currently staff about 130 employees, including three physicians, three mid-level providers and one nurse anesthetist. The hospital offers many levels of inpatient care, a wide range of outpatient services and several visiting physician specialty clinics.
Averages from the last five years show that Norton County Hospital will annually witness nearly 3,000 days of patient hospital stays; deliver 60 babies; see 18,500 patients for outpatient visits; and care for 2,200 patients in the emergency department.
According to a 2018 report, “The Importance of the Health Care Sector to the Kansas Economy,” Kansas State University researchers identified three primary ways health care influences local economic development: health care attracts and retains business, attracts and retains retirees, and creates local jobs.
Kansas hospitals account for $13.3 billion in total sales for Kansas each year, said the report. Hospitals in the state generate nearly $3.2 billion in local retail sales for the Kansas economy, as well as more than $205 million in sales tax for Kansas, which is primarily used to fund state programs such as education and transportation. Additionally, Kansas hospitals contribute more than $6 billion in direct labor income to the Kansas economy each year. For every dollar of income generated in the hospital sector, another $0.56 is generated in other business and industry.
The report also states that Kansas hospitals employ 86,324 people, which is 4.4 percent of all job holders in the state. The report calculated economic multipliers, or “ripple effects,” and estimated that hospitals account for 75,659 additional jobs throughout all other businesses and industries in the state. Therefore, hospital sector employment has a total impact on state employment of approximately 162,000 jobs.
National Hospital Week reinforces the essential role hospitals play in their community’s overall health. Take this year’s National Hospital Week as an opportunity to thank all of the dedicated individuals – physicians, nurses, therapists, engineers, food service workers, volunteers, administrators and so many more – for their contributions.
Kansas Hospital Association (KHA) information contributed to this report. KHA is a voluntary nonprofit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 218 member facilities, of which 127 are full-service, community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is Optimal Health for Kansans.
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