ECU Health Proposes North Carolina's First Rural Emergency Hospital in Martin County
Becker's Hospital Review
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Contributed by: Kate Gamble
Summary
East Carolina University Health (ECU Health) is working with Martin County to create North Carolina's first rural emergency hospital (REH) following the closure of Martin General Hospital due to bankruptcy. The proposal seeks to fill the gap in emergency services left by the hospital's closure, with over a dozen potential partners expressing interest in the initiative. However, establishing the REH will require significant state funding to enhance the inpatient capacity at ECU Health Beaufort Hospital, as the new facility will not include inpatient beds. This development is aimed at improving healthcare access and patient outcomes in rural areas, particularly amid ongoing challenges faced by rural healthcare facilities.
