The massive problems leading to the closure of Audrain County Medical Center (AMC) in Mexico, Missouri, have received national attention including recent publication in USA Today.
Read here: bit.ly/3iCZv0K
I live and practice in Mexico. The publicly-owned AMC has for many years been the referral center for a large area of mid-Missouri. In 2013, in response to changing economic circumstances, the hospital was sold to SSM-Health. Later SSMH divested of its mid-Missouri hospitals (AMC and St. Mary’s Jefferson City). After numerous pledges and promises of quality and financial stability, AMC was purchased by Noble Corporation. The nationally known problems leading to closure of AMC are extensively outlined in the USA Today article.
It is imperative that Mexico and its large referral area have an emergency room and hospital. Our present medical situation was inconceivable to our former physician community. Our critical and emergent care is presently serviced by several ambulances that transfer patients to Columbia. On some ultra-critical occasions, a helicopter is used. This is far from ideal and has created increased morbidity and mortality.
Like most of our physician community, my general surgery practice has been existentially challenged. My patients and I have had to do an inordinate amount of time-consuming travel. I’ve done surgeries in Jefferson City and Moberly Regional Medical Center, outpatient surgeries at Columbia Surgical Associates and endoscopies at the Surgery Center of Columbia. All have graciously welcomed me and my patients. I am working on surgical privileges at Boone Hospital and the University of Missouri-Columbia Medical Center. I have not been able to expedite the ponderous credentialling process, even given the sudden AMC closure and the needs of our Audrain community.
I presently see patients in my office several days per week. I am one of the last solo, non-employed private practice physicians in Mexico. I refer out radiology, lab work, and subspecialty care if needed.
The few physicians in our community are employed either by the federally funded Arthur Center, or the University of Missouri. Since our primary care physicians are not working and most clinics are closed, surgical referrals are dwindling. With rapidly rising overhead and staff expenses, I have not been taking personal remuneration.
This ordeal has been devastating to our physician community and the patients we serve. It is an economic and quality of life blow to Mexico and surrounding communities. The Audrain medical and civil leaders have unrelentingly searched for a way for our closed hospital to reopen. At the time of this correspondence, we have a highly respected potential buyer. We hope to announce the sale and reopening of AMC in the near future.