HRMC to be turned into Senior Care Facility?
Word on the street (i.e. rumor) has it that Atlantic Health has plans to convert most of the existing hospital to a senior care facility, while retaining the Emergency Room as an Urgent Care Center.
If true, I can't say I'll miss most of HRMC too much. The ER has not been impressive of late (except waiting time is relatively short) considering the recent experiences of my elderly father. The maternity unit still seems to be well-regarded, though.
My wife's recent ,and my first, experience with Pocono Medical Center was initially unfavorable due to a two-hour-plus wait this past weekend. I was, however, much more impressed with the care....so it will be my go-to place.
Damned shame. I really like Hackettstown, and the town deserves better.
jjmonth4 makes me wounder why I stood on 5 cornners and raise3d money to put a HOSPITAL in hackettstown
Caged Animal A rumor is just that. Until mergers are complete, rumors will circulate like warm blood. Even employees are left in the dark.
Ess Doesn't make much sense. The other hospitals are all quite a ways from Hackettstown. AND, Yes all those years with the buckets at the 5 corners back before Rt. 80 was completed.
Ms Fishy >>A rumor is just that. Until mergers are complete, rumors will circulate like warm blood. <<
True enough. Shame on me, I guess, for circulating this one.
I am curious, though, and wonder if anyone else out there has any info.
Thus, the original post....
@ms fishy. Distance doesn't always matter. I used to live in dingmans ferry pa & the nearest hospital was about an hour away in good weather. Even if there was no HRMC WE ARE STILL UNDER AN HOUR (oops, sorry caps). But I will say that as a type 1 diabetic I am looking to move because of HRMC. It's very sad, my family helped collect money for that hospital, my aunt was one of the first nurses there. But if improvements aren't made then I think it would be better off as senior care. I've had waaaayyyy too many bad experiences there... All due to ignorance/negligence/lack of care/people who don't want to be bothered/etc
NoUseForAname For the last 10+ years i had made a large part of my income from that hospital. For the last 2 years i have been asking what was going to happen with the sale (Drs, nurses, admin and maint. people) and not one of them can tell you because they dont know. So if you are hearing this from a HRMC employee it is probably just that a rumor.
dadof2Wow. Well the only good thing about the place is the maternity ward which is excellent. My husband was recently misdiagnosed 2 times in one weekend before the er finally got it right after my husband sat and looked up dr Google. He ended up with sepsis bc they couldn't get the sh$@ straight. The only thing the place is good for is a bandaid.
Dima I work at HRMC now and Atlantic Health is going to be final sometimes in the 2nd qtr of 2015. have not heard anything about a Sr. care living. There has been so many rumors in the past year it's unbelivable !! Whatever happens could only be a improvement in our community.
DJB 
iJay I for one, have had good experiences at Hackettstown Hospital. I wouldn't have major surgeries there, and most doctors recommend specialists at other major area hospitals. If you're in pain and you trust your doctor's abilities, you would have surgery in a tent. I would not like to travel to Morristown, Poconos, or Philipsburg if I suspect a heart attack.
My husband had a heart procedure at St Barnabas, and although the procedure was successful, the night staff was from hell. Nurses didn't answer his calls for hours, medication was administered late, they were rude when asked simple questions. Couldn't wait to leave!
Just saying, be thankful for what we have in town.
USAfirst I was sad to hear that HRMC was being bought by Atlantic Healthcare. In my dealings with them at Morristown, Newton and several Dr.'s is that it is a conglomerate. Not only do you have to pay a Dr. when you see them you have to pat a facility charge that is equal or more then your copay. It took me over a year to fight a bill meanwhile they put us in collections during the complaint. My insurance company said do not pay it only your copay then in the end they claim they never said that. With my proof on their letter head I did not have to but now cannot get it off my TRW. Its all about money with Atlantic Healthcare nothing about helping the sick. Ask any Dr. who is contracted with. My advice is stay away. IMO and experience of course.
Christine Why is it going under? Unpaid bills. Many Democrats having babies, borrowing their sister's / cousin's insurance card, Medicaid patients with a sore throat going to ER instead of a doctor, many bills unpaid by resuscitated heroin addicts, the train from Dover, bringing in many more Medicaid patients....1970's Hackettstown could not have predicted these huge demographic changes, and HRMC is too small an entity. It cannot absorb the debts from our current population.
fussylady Don't republicans have babies, too?(lol). The people who work in the lab told me that Morristown hospital is merging with them.
terry page Fussy Lady,
I recommend you take sometime to educate yourself before posting or vomiting your poison on this forum. Warren County College likely has some classes on Sociology so you dont have to remain ignorant for the rest of your life.
PWMS Not to interupt a stupid rant but why would the train bring patients from Dover? You do realize Dover has its own hospital, right??
Darwin Out of curiosity - how frequently is the train from Dover running? Considering it's often quoted for the demise of Hackettstown, small town America and now HRMC - it must be running every hour with hundreds if not thousands of people coming in and out.
Bonv I think fussylady is suggesting that the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) needs to be expanded to a single payer system.
Joe M Glad to hear it. Terrible hospital. But why would they do that? Wasnt it awarded with something not long ago. As for ER, its not so good either. Hope rumor is correct. JMO!
Will never go there again. Morristown is further, but thats OK.
botheredbyuu2 Oh man that's a great rant by a fuzzy lady.
Actually Medicaid would be a profit maker for HRMC --- they pay. But fussylady; how do they get Medicaid since I am sure you believe all Latino's are illegal....... Yet, is your "unpaid bill" rant a cry for support of the AHCA; nice job, thank you for your support.
The Latino Train to Dover theory says that Latino's can not travel by any other conveyance except the steel rail. "Good morning America, how are you? Said don't you know me, I'm your native son (steve goodman -- liberal)" And therefore, Hackettstown's Main Street would be Latino free except for the train. May be some truth to it, but really no one can know whether true or not except fussylady who apparently hangs at the station 24x7. What kind of lady does that?
Democrats having more babies than Republicans. First, we know that Democrats have more sex, that's a proven fact just by witnessing the Presidency. But more babies.......well it turns out fussylady is wrong, but then again, she sources no facts in her rant anyway. The facts are, Utah, the reddest state in the Union, has the highest fertility rate as the Mormons vie with the Muslims for control of the planet (vote Mitt for President, out-birth the Muslims). Vermont, the first gay union state, has the lowest fertility rate with recommendations to change the state motto to: "frigid and free."
Source: http://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Republicans-fertile-future-Through-the-past-2488626.php
mistergoogle The hospital is terrible as are most, if not all of the doctors.
The maternity unit is just as bad, the doctors are just well known and liked. It doesn't make them good doctors, it just means they are well known and liked.
I would rather my doctor was competent than friendly, if I had to choose.
I have lots of my own horror stories.
The helicopter pad is to take patients OUT not IN, for a reason.
HRMC Patient I have a condition which caused me to be admitted through the ER quite a few times in the last 15 years to HRMC, and my care has always been excellent. I had surgery at Morristown because that's where the Surgeon operates (Dr. also has privileges in St. Clare's and St. Barnabas.) The surgery went well in Morristown, but my experience being a patient and the care I received ... not so good at all. I, for one, hope the Hospital continues to operate as it does currently.
Mrs. Pipes My husband and I had emergencies in the past 10 years. He had a blood clot to the heart and if he had to travel to a hospital, he wouldn't have made it.I hope the rumor is not true.
Lily Just a thought- They could tare it down and put it back to what it was. A hill. Today is a snow day for the kids in town. They could be doing what we did on our snow days, go sledding down Hospital Hill. That's what it was called and used for. Snow day sledding. Sledding down the hill. Hoping you make it without crashing. Then dragging your sled back up again. Up and down all day. All the while being cold, wet, hungry and having a blast. We were the lucky kids who mom let us stay until dark because we lived close. I am sure our town kids would be having the same fun today.
auntiel My experiences there over a 10 year period have been just fine. The billing dept is another story.
Old Gent Tear down a hospital so kids have a hill to go sledding? Wow now I have read everything on HL.
The facility is quite new so to demolish it now would be a monumental waste; maybe in 50 years, not now...
Legalize prostitution and turn it into New Jersey's largest brothel....It will give those Democrats a chance to make an honest living wage.
Bemused I've had both good and bad experiences with HRMC. It's been convenient to go there for mammograms but no I'm not sure I can do it anymore. The hospital contracts out its radiology and they don't belong to any insurance plans. My insurance won't pay for anything that is done by a non-participating group. I can't see paying 300.00 out of pocket for them to read a mammogram so it looks like I'm going to have to find somewhere else to go.
Indy2 Oh for Gods sake, don't be so uptight. I was only being nostalgia. There I go again not explaining myself in full detail to the condescending.
My DH had blockage in the heart (so they, Htown hospital, said). They transported him to Morristown because Htown hosp doesnt do the cardiac catheder. Turns out there was NO blockage. Thank god for that.
Lily-what did they do for your DH at Htown hosp?
Indy2, Most radiologists do not participate in several insurances. Wait til Atlantic Healthcare comes in and then you will be double billed. Anesthesiologists are the other Dr.'s who don't participate in a lot of insurances. You will not know til you get the bill.
>>You will not know til you get the bill.<<
Yup, I got my bill from the radiology group last month for a hand injury (gashed my thumb really good) that occurred in July. They charged around $45 to look at an Xray of my thumb and determine there was no bone damage.
I found a sympathetic ear after calling my insurance company and they paid the claim, though the person did say that this non-participation was becoming more and more common.
Welcome to Affordable "Obama" Care. Both parties brought you this system (Olympia Snow helping to give the "conservative" Republicans some cover on the issue.)
This system seems to be designed to "fail" miserably by driving costs through the roof, to the point where Uh'Mericans will beg for the public option...just like they all wanted in the first place.
The thing is not how good or bad the service is at the hospital is its the fact that it will no longer be a local hospital and that saddens me never should the name have been changed fro HACKETTSTOWN ((( COMMUNITY))) HOSPITAL
Thank-You Auntiel for your post on sledding down the HILL !!! Spent many days doing just that ! and the police used to close up the streets so we could sled from High St. To Lafayette St. !!!! very fun !!!!!!!
Peggy Shanahan one person posts a comment of some gossip they heard, and now the whole hospital sucks. I for one have had a few simple things done there and everyone was great. many young people who I prefer over, older worn out fat lazy employees. I had a pace maker installed there last yr and a few other heart things done and they where great to me. The employees seemed happy and thats the best thing if you want a good staff. I do know as a fact that they will be closing and turning the place into a all nude gay Hispanic bar with on site sex. Well at least we dont have that problem of HRMC for much longer.
aguy I'm that "one person."
Yep, it was gossip, hearsay, rumor.
Glad your experiences have been positive. I had some good experiences there, too.
They have not impressed me with their care level, of late.
We have been so fortunate to have a Hospital nearby. I hope it continues to function as a Hospital.
outsider 
Dansker No one knows for sure yet whats going to happen, not the employees, not even the administration, but I will say I think it would be awful to turn the hospital into a senior care facility.
Sandy As an employee of the hospital, I wish all of the Rumors would just STOP !
The certificate of need filed in anticipation of this sale to Atlantic Health, requires them to operate with ALL services now in place for a Minimum of five years (no one in their right mind would guarantee longer terms in this economy)
The current state of the medical industry makes it nearly impossible for any facility to operate stand-alone, and the current ownership being based in another state, is not providing any real benefit, when all of their other entities are in that other state...
Please be patient, understand that Most people are never happy to be in a hospital, and be glad there's one here to serve the community.
tired of the wait If they do stay as a hospital,it would be nice to have a cardiac department, that can treat you and perform more then tests.If someone has a heart attack,they have to send you to Morristown,makes no sense.Maybe with Atlantic running the hospital,they will bring in a quality team of Cardiologists. HRMC.can only stabilize you at this point,then ship you out! I have to say though the staff are very friendly,and try very hard.
LoBo this post is speculation at most. no one knows what's going to happen or if it really is. many hospitals get a bad rap anyway because of people's experiences, but i've had surgery at htown and although the surgery sucked the attending nurses and doctors were wonderful and kind. i love having the hospital within a few miles of my home and i hope it remains as is. the ER could use some improvement though, I've been there on 2 occasions where they couldn't diagnose my issue (both situations occurring on a weekend when my GP was unavailable) but GP new instantly what it was when i saw him that following monday and started addressing the issue asap. next time we need the ER i may make the trek to morristown.
Poppy Girl, I know the feeling,my wife was there on three different occasions,they missed the diagnose's all three times.I guess the ER doctors have a lot to learn.We had to go to another hospital to get tested and treated.What a shame,because they are very nice there, but would not want surgery there.
Just heard on WRNJ that a threat was made against HRMC yesterday and that more details from police would follow. Wondering what that was all about!
joyful I just listened to the news on WRNJ and all that was mentioned about the hospital was our ebola preparedness drill. There was information provided to the community prior to let them know that it would be taking place. It was only a drill and in no way was a "threat" against the hospital.
Do you have differing information?
Had to take a family member to the ER a few years back and the ER doctor seamed much more interested in flirting with a pretty nurse than spending more time with patients. Seems like a good hospital but the administration needs to be on top of quality service being rendered...
Sunflower: This was two separate announcements on WRNJ today. One was about the drill on what to do if Eboli should break out in our area and the other was that a threat was made against HRMC yesterday. The latest announcement on the station was that they located the man who made the threat but were awaiting more news from the State and local police.
HRMC sale on the way to being approved: http://patch.com/new-jersey/longvalley/nj-health-chief-oks-sale-st-clares-hackettstown-hospitals
OnTheEdge The hospital was great when it was new. Its financial ruin is due to the recent onslaught of dishonest clients. People learned the billing loopholes for Medicaid (free ER visit vs. Doctor office visit plus copay). We have been overwhelmed with non-emergency emergencies. There has also been a huge increase of abuse, as in, relatives who look alike sharing their insurance card. And most of the heroin addicts who arrive at ER are uninsured.
The article that blog was cut and pasted from is here:
http://www.njherald.com/story/28988271/2015/05/06/saint-clares-hackettstown-hospital-sales-get-health-commisioners-ok
Goes into far more detail on both hospitals as well as all of the stipulations.
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