Northwest Health is a Cornerstone of Northwest Arkansas
4/4/2023
The skilled and compassionate hands of physicians, nurses and other team members of Northwest Health support the health and well-being of patients. We are here, whenever needed. Beyond providing clinical care, the health system is a cornerstone of our community and a major contributor to the economic health of the region as a major employer and tax-payer and through our resources to expand and enhance the medical services available close to home. The overall impact is significant and totaled more than $401 million in 2022.
Care was provided at more than 604,000 patient encounters, including more than 87,000 emergency department visits, more than 16,500 inpatient admissions and more than 25,000 surgeries. Approximately 472,000 patients received care across Northwest Physicians clinics, including inpatient and outpatient therapy and imaging. Joy was delivered to local families with the birth of 3,200 babies.
“We help people get well and live healthier by providing quality care for patients,” said Chris York, market chief executive officer for Northwest Health. “We are truly blessed to have this dedicated team of clinicians and caregivers here in Northwest Arkansas who are making a real difference each and every day.”
Northwest Health applies its resources to medical services, facilities and technologies that are important to patients. These include adding three-dimensional (3D) mammography at the Bentonville campus, offering SPECT/CT services, including Y90 treatment for cancer patients and offering robotic-assisted, minimally invasive biopsies of the lung to help better detect lung cancer. Access has been enhanced by additional primary care providers in clinics and recruitment of a cardiothoracic surgeon and interventional cardiologist. Capital improvements totaling more than $8.5 million were made to open a standalone emergency room in west Benton County, expand access to high-quality mental health services and add an artificial intelligence-based maternal-fetal early warning system called PeriWatch Vigilance to enhance patient safety during labor and delivery.
Northwest Health also gives back to the Northwest Arkansas region by providing more than $150 million in charity and uncompensated care for the community’s most vulnerable. And the payment of $12.5 million in property and sales taxes helps support civic resources and services.
Support for local charitable and community organizations such as American Heart Association – Northwest Arkansas, Heroes & Hot Rods in the Ozarks, March of Dimes and Susan G. Komen – Ozark, includes financial donations and outreach. Northwest Health team members collected and donated food to Northwest Arkansas Food Bank for the holiday season.
The hospital’s payroll of more than $199 million ripples across the local economy as employees buy goods and services. Last year the hospital added enhanced benefits to help team members achieve their personal and professional goals, including assistance with student loan repayments, reimbursement of licensure and certification expenses, as well as tuition reimbursement.
York continued, “The vital care we provide is only one part of the broad impact we have. We are a cornerstone of this community and we are committed to doing all we can to provide excellent healthcare services and to make Northwest Arkansas a healthier, better community for all.”
Northwest Health provides an RN residency program to ensure new graduate nurses transition to independent practice with competence, confidence and commitment. The health system is equipping the next generation of nurses with technical excellence as well as instilling the need for compassionate, quality care.
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