Question about medical clinics

[seren_ccd]

Oh, all-knowing friends-list, I have a question. Actually, I have two questions.

1. If you have a small town of roughly 2,000 people, would it be possible for them to only have a smallish medical practice of say, four nurses, one permanent MD, and one part-time MD? Said town is located fairly close to a larger town with a hospital, so it wouldn't take too long to reach it in an emergency. Does that amount of staff sound reasonable? Perhaps they have some visiting consultants?

2. In said clinic, would it be reasonable for them to have x-ray equipment and the supplies to handle broken bones? Nothing complicated or anything that required surgery, but just the basics to tide someone over until they could get to a large hospital the following day?

Thank you!!!

Comments

[maggietimelord.livejournal.com]

Depends on where and when. There is a rural health initiative that gives 25 bed (and smaller) hospitals better reimbursement through Medicare and other government programs.
Amount of staff always depends on how many hours the project is open.
A clinic isn't necessarily a doc-in-a-box anymore. It is also a term for a group of smaller practices. Carilion Clinic in the Roanoke Virginia area has 3 small hospitals and several group practices encompassing over 100 doctors. The whole organization also supports several 50-100 bed facilities.
Also, with most hospital-type settings, there has to be pharmacist review. Fortunately, this can be handled remotely. I know ... I know ... everyone is all about Doctors and Nurses ... but darn it ... I'm a pharmacist!!!!
*laughs hard*

[seren-ccd.livejournal.com]

There is a rural health initiative that gives 25 bed (and smaller) hospitals better reimbursement through Medicare and other government programs.

Oh, that's very interesting. I didn't know about that. Thank you!

I'm a pharmacist!!!!

Hee! Don't worry, I'm planning on there being a proper drugstore, with an old-fashioned facade and possibly a soda fountain at one end. :D