National Hospital Week is May 12-18.
May 13, 2019
NORTON, Kan. – Hospitals in Kansas and across the U.S. are celebrating National Hospital Week, May 12-18. The theme for National Hospital Week 2019 is “Celebrating Hope and Healing.”
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 their respective communities, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and 365 days a year.
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 one physician, one nurse practitioner, one physician assistant and one nurse anesthetist. The hospital offers many levels of inpatient care, a wide range of outpatient services and several visiting physician specialty clinics.
The 125 Kansas community hospitals, including Norton County Hospital, provide vital health care services to communities statewide. Annually, Kansas hospitals staff nearly 9,000 beds; serve more than 315,000 inpatient visits; assist in more than 37,000 births; care for more than 8.2 million outpatient visits; and treat more than 1.2 million patients in Kansas emergency departments.
Not only do Kansas hospitals serve thousands of individuals to keep communities healthy, strong and vibrant, hospitals also benefit the financial health of the state. In Kansas, hospitals employ more than 93,000 people or 4.7 percent of all job holders and generate $6.7 billion in direct total income. Kansas hospitals support the creation of additional jobs in other business and industry and have a total employment impact of approximately 177,500 jobs. For every one dollar of income generated in the hospital sector, another 59 cents is generated in other businesses and industries in the state’s economy; thus, having an estimated total impact on income throughout all business and industry of more than $10.7 billion.
Now more than ever, hospitals play a vital role in improving community health across the nation – this extends far beyond strictly providing medical care. 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 information contributed to this report. KHA is a voluntary, nonprofit organization existing to be the leading advocate and resource for members. KHA membership includes 222 member facilities, of which 125 are full-service, community hospitals. Founded in 1910, KHA’s vision is Optimal Health for Kansans.
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