Ridgecrest Regional Hospital

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital is a hospital located in Ridgecrest, California which is just east of the Southern Sierra Mountains in the Indian Wells Valley.[2] It has two specialty units, including pediatric and intensive care. The hospital was established in the mid-1940s out of a need for medical care for the workforce of the growing China Lake Naval Weapons Station.It is the only regional healthcare system in the area and provides a variety of services to the region. Jim Suver serves as the CEO of the hospital.[3]

Ridgecrest Regional Hospital
Map
Geography
Location1081 N. China Lake Blvd., Ridgecrest, California, United States
Coordinates35°38′26″N 117°40′16″W / 35.64061°N 117.6711°W / 35.64061; -117.6711
Organization
Care systemPublic
TypeCommunity
Services
Emergency departmentLevel IV trauma center[1]
Beds25
History
Opened1945
Links
Websitewww.rrh.org
ListsHospitals in California

Services

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Ridgecrest Regional Hospital provides family medicine services through the Southern Sierra Medical Clinic and Rural Health Clinic.  The hospital offers the following services:[4]

  • Cardiology/Cardiac Rehab
  • Cardiopulmonary/Respiratory Care
  • Case Management/Social Services
  • Critical Care Unit
  • Education
  • Emergency Services
  • Home Health
  • Maternal/Child/Family Unit
  • Pastoral Care
  • Patient Care Conferences
  • Radiology
  • Rehabilitation Services
  • Surgery and Outpatient Services
  • Telemedicine

History

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The hospital was established by Dr. Thomas Drummond in 1945 as Ridgecrest Community Hospital. The hospital has seen several expansions over the years: a new wing was added in 1968; an intensive-care unit in 1976; and a four-phased major expansion was begun in 1987.[5]

Financial Situation

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In August 2022 Ridgecrest Regional Hospital announces that it would be closing down its cancer center due to a shortage of oncologists[6]

In August 2023, The California Department of Health Care Access and Information awarded Ridgecrest Regional Hospital $5.5 million in interest-free loans as a part of a Distressed Hospital Loan Program.[7]

In November 2023, the hospital announced the end of their labor delivery program due to a shortage of obstetric providers.[8] Soon after in announced that it will be laying off employees due to financial hardship. The situation is concerning for nearby residents who don't have alternatives for medical care.[9]

References

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  1. ^ "Info". emsa.ca.gov. 2018. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
  2. ^ "ABOUT Ridgecrest Regional Hospital". Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  3. ^ "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital". RRH healthcare. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  4. ^ "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital services". analyzed data from RRH. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  5. ^ "The history of Ridgecrest Regional Hospital". source. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
  6. ^ "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital closing down its cancer center leaving patients without local care". KERO 23 ABC News Bakersfield. 2022-08-16. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  7. ^ Staff, BakersfieldNow (2023-08-25). "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital receives $5.5 million interest-free loan in state aid". KBAK. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
  8. ^ release, News (2023-11-30). "RRH to suspend labor and delivery services". The Ridgecrest Daily Independent. Retrieved 2024-05-24. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
  9. ^ COX, JOHN (2024-02-15). "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital plans additional layoffs, hopes to avoid closure". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
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