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 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Geography | |
| Location | 1081 N. China Lake Blvd., Ridgecrest, California, United States |
| Coordinates | 35°38′26″N 117°40′16″W / 35.64061°N 117.6711°W |
| Organization | |
| Care system | Public |
| Type | Community |
| Services | |
| Emergency department | Level IV trauma center[1] |
| Beds | 25 |
| History | |
| Opened | 1945 |
| Links | |
| Website | www |
| Lists | Hospitals in California |
Services
editRidgecrest 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
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (March 2009) |
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
editIn 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
edit- ^ "Info". emsa.ca.gov. 2018. Retrieved 2019-05-27.
- ^ "ABOUT Ridgecrest Regional Hospital". Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- ^ "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital". RRH healthcare. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- ^ "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital services". analyzed data from RRH. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- ^ "The history of Ridgecrest Regional Hospital". source. Retrieved 2011-09-18.
- ^ "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.
- ^ Staff, BakersfieldNow (2023-08-25). "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital receives $5.5 million interest-free loan in state aid". KBAK. Retrieved 2024-05-24.
- ^ 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) - ^ [email protected], JOHN COX (2024-02-15). "Ridgecrest Regional Hospital plans additional layoffs, hopes to avoid closure". The Bakersfield Californian. Retrieved 2024-05-24.