One of the reasons some counties have been reluctant to sell their county-owned hospital is that citizens lose whatever leverage they had as owners. Once the hospital changes hands, all the decision-making power lies in the hands of the new owners who are free to do with the hospital as they wish.
This “better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know” fear is often the greatest obstacle in any sale.
Oktibbeha County overcame that fear, granted on the third try, in October, selling OCH Regional Medical Center to Memphis-based Baptist Hospital Group in October.
At the time of the sale, Baptist officials said they were committed to improving service at the hospital.
The first tangible signs of that commitment emerged this week, when OCH regained its Level 3 Trauma Center designation, after losing that status in August 2024.
The designation, which the hospital will maintain for three years, means the facility can provide 24-hour surgical coverage, stabilize and treat seriously injured patients and, if necessary, transfer them to a higher-level trauma center.
A Baptist spokesman said the hospital staff has rebuilt and developed its medical team to ensure there is the staffing, support and procedures in place to meet standards required for the designation.
The hospital is now among 15 Level 3 trauma centers scattered throughout the state, including Baptist Memorial Hospital-Golden Triangle in Columbus.
Reclaiming this sends two important messages to the people of Oktibbeha County. First, restoring the status so soon after its purchase, is evidence that Baptist is honoring its commitment to improving service. Second, it helps dispel the notion that the hospital might become a poor-relation to its sister hospital in Columbus. There will be no robbing Peter to pay Paul, even though some services may change at both hospitals.
It could have been argued that regaining Level 3 trauma designation wasn’t all that important since there is an existing Level 3 trauma center just 25 miles away in Columbus. But with many traumatic injuries, minutes matter. The presence of two Level 3 trauma centers means people in the Golden Triangle have fast access to this critical care.
We are optimistic that this development will represent one of many improvements Baptist have in store for Oktibbeha County’s hospital.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 36 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
