Southwest Regional Medical Center in Georgetown, Ohio, closed its doors with little notice last September, and emergency response agencies located closest to the hospital are still struggling more than a year later, according to a News Democrat report.
There were several factors that led to the hospital's demise, including a lawsuit concerning a piece of medical equipment. CIT Group sued SWRMC after the hospital failed to make lease payments on an MRI machine owned by CIT. In August 2013, the court ruled in favor of CIT and ordered the hospital to pay more than $810,000. After SWRMC failed to pay the judgment, a judge granted CIT's request to garnish the hospital's bank account.
The hospital was forced to close its doors after the garnishment, as it was unable to make payroll. When the hospital shut down, it had 15 full-time physicians and 60 registered nurses.
Since the closure, emergency response agencies in the surrounding area have struggled with longer drive times when picking up a patient — the nearest hospitals are now approximately 12 to 35 miles away.
The closest hospital is Mercy Health – Mt. Orab (Ohio) Medical Center. However, Georgetown Fire and EMS chief Joe Rockey told the News Democrat that patients who need to be admitted have to be taken to facilities that are located farther away.
"Our transport times have more than doubled, at best, and that's just if we go to Mt. Orab," Mr. Rockey told the News Democrat.
The hospital closure has also put a strain on Georgetown's elderly population who must sometimes travel long distances to receive the care they need. In addition, for those in Georgetown who suffer a life-threatening injury, the long distance to a hospital reduces their chances of survival, according to the report.
There is still a chance Georgetown residents will once again have a hospital in their town. Georgetown Mayor Dale Cahall told the News Democrat, "There is still interest in the hospital."
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