History Of Spokane And Kootenai County Hospital 2011 144336

History Of Spokane Kootenai County Hospital 2011spokane Has 8 Hospit

Summarize the history and current status of hospitals in Spokane and Kootenai County, including information about key hospitals, their ownership, mergers, services provided, and changes over time, with relevant references.

Reflect on the complex landscape of hospital ownership, mergers, and healthcare delivery in this region, considering the implications for community health and access to care.

Paper For Above instruction

The healthcare landscape in Spokane and Kootenai County has experienced significant evolution over the past century, reflecting broader trends in hospital development, ownership, and healthcare delivery in the United States. Spokane County currently boasts eight hospitals, comprising specialty, acute care, and rural facilities, with approximately 1,900 hospital beds. Notably, Eastern State Hospital, established in 1891, primarily provides psychiatric care with 317 licensed beds, highlighting the region's commitment to mental health services (Heritage of Healing, n.d.).

The region's healthcare infrastructure includes several specialized hospitals: Shriners Hospital, established in 1924 with 30 beds for pediatric orthopedic care; St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, with 102 beds focused on physical rehabilitation; and the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, opened in 1951 providing veteran-specific care with 46 beds. Additionally, the rural Deer Park Hospital, with 25 beds, operated from 1947 until its closure in 2008 due to declining admissions and financial challenges (Spokane Spokesman Review, 2008). Overall, Spokane has historically balanced public, private, non-profit, and for-profit hospitals, creating a diverse healthcare ecosystem (Crabtree, 2005).

Ownership and organizational structures have shifted remarkably over time, largely through mergers and acquisitions. Deaconess Medical Center, founded in 1897, was historically affiliated with the Methodist Church and grew through expansions in the early and mid-20th century. Its transition out of church affiliation in 1980 aimed to facilitate tax-free finance options. Deaconess later became part of Empire Health Services, which merged with Sacred Heart Medical Center, operated by Providence Health Care—a Catholic-affiliated non-profit system. Meanwhile, Valley Hospital, initially opened in 1969, was acquired by American Medicorp and then by Humana before joining Empire Health Services in 1985. The sale of Empire Health Services to Community Health Systems (CHS)—a for-profit company—in 2008 marked a shift toward private ownership, affecting hospital governance structures and regional healthcare coordination (Shideler, 1986; Spokesman Review, 2006).

One of the notable collaborations in the region is the Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS), established in 1994 as a joint venture between Empire and Providence to manage various healthcare operations, including St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute and regional emergency transport. However, after Empire's sale to CHS, governance arrangements were restructured, reducing non-profit hospital influence in regional decision-making (Heritage of Healing, n.d.).

Kootenai County’s sole hospital, Kootenai Medical Center, established in 1966 and now a 225-bed facility, exemplifies regional consolidation. It expanded its facilities and services over the decades, including the addition of a cancer center and a new open-heart program. The hospital's governance is rooted in the Kootenai Hospital District, composed of elected citizens, aiming to serve community needs effectively (Kootenai Medical Center, 2010). Moreover, the opening of North Idaho Advanced Care Hospital in 2005 reflects increasing specialization in long-term acute care (L.T.A.C.).

The persistent history of mergers, privatization, and specialized expansions illustrates how hospital ownership and organizational shifts influence regional healthcare access, quality, and community health outcomes. From community-founded hospitals to major corporate-controlled systems, the regional healthcare infrastructure continues to adapt, balancing community needs with economic realities (Gilkey & Crabtree, 1996). As hospitals like Holy Family and Sacred Heart evolve under different ownership models, the regional health system exemplifies the ongoing complexities in defining community health assets and the implications of defining “ownership” of the past (Outland Northwest Health Services, n.d.).

References

  • Crabtree, M. (2005, May). Interview on Spokane Shriner Hospital History. Spokane, WA.
  • Gilkey, P., & Crabtree, M. (1996). The Deaconess Story. Spokane, Washington: Deaconess Medical Center.
  • Heritage of Healing: The Story of St. Luke’s Hospital. (n.d.). Spokane, WA: Author.
  • Kootenai Medical Center. (2010). Retrieved from www.kootenaimedicalcenter.org
  • Outland Northwest Health Services. (n.d.). About INHS. Community Relations for Deaconess and Valley Hospital and Medical Center.
  • Spokane Spokesman Review. (2008, March 18). Deer Park Hospital Closes.
  • Shideler, J.C. (1986). A Century of Caring. Spokane, WA: Author.
  • Spokesman Review. (2006, April 12). Business in Brief.
  • Spokane Sacred Heart Medical Center Newsletter. (2005, September 26).
  • Western Washington State Department of Health. (2011). Certificate of Need approvals.

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