By NATE KING
Salina Post
Triple-digit temperatures greeted U.S. Senator Jerry Moran for his latest visit to Salina yesterday. As part of his visit to Salina, Moran attended a ribbon cutting at the Salina Airport Authority, an agreement signing event at the Salina Public Library, and a tour of Salina Regional Health Center.
Moran speaks with medical professionals; staffing concerns continue
The Senator's first stop of the day was at Salina Regional Healthcare Center. According to Moran's staff, the purpose of this stop was to hear from healthcare professionals in the field and address any roadblocks or issues they face.
SRHC CEO and President Joel Phelps, Chief Medical Officer Robert Freelove, and Chad Austin, president of the Kansas Hospital Association, escorted the Senator on a tour of the hospital's emergency room floor.
Phelps informed Moran that SRHC provides emergency room care to approximately 3,000 individuals/month. According to Phelps, staff shortages are the root cause of why patients are not being moved to patient care.
" We are still one and a half to two years away from being back to normal staff levels," Phelps told Moran — normal staff levels before the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Phelps said the emergency room is regularly full because of a lack of staff in patient care. Phelps said the continued partnership with Kansas Wesleyan, the University of Kansas, and Salina Technical College's nursing programs will assist in closing this gap.
Another reason raised for why the emergency room remains full is due to SRHC serving as a regional hub for many small, rural communities.
"It is really hard to accept patients coming from the surrounding area when all our beds are full," said Dr. Jeremiah Ostmeyer.
According to hospital nurses and doctors working in the ER, approximately 10-15% of the patients they see have a history of behavioral health issues or substance abuse. Moran mentioned the need for more beds at the Osawatomie State Hospital to accommodate patients needing this level of care.
While visiting with nurses and doctors in the emergency room, Moran asked each of them where they grew up, only to find out they were all from Kansas. Moran thanked them for continuing to practice in Kansas.
Following the tour, Moran visited with Phelps, Freelove and Austin about additional ways he plans to advocate for hospitals in Kansas. Moran asked about the SRHC's relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield, citing last year's negotiation regarding continuous coverage.
"We had good progress in the first year," Phelps said. "We sat down to work towards a three-year agreement. I can't say we are where we were at the end of August last year. It is ongoing."