CON...Part III (WMC)

Note: This is Part III of a series.
Click here for Part I
Click here for Part II
Part III - Current Post
Click here for Part IV

Let's go down memory lane...

HCA Pitches Hospital For Growing Spring Hill

A spokeswoman for Williamson Medical Center said the Williamson County hospital considered Spring Hill's projected growth when it began work on an $83 million expansion that includes 45 additional beds, which should be finished by mid-2007. Spring Hill's city limits cross into Williamson County.

Medical center spokeswoman Laura Bustetter wouldn't say yesterday whether the county-owned hospital would formally oppose HCA's application but said, "Our research shows there's not a need for additional beds right now."

And another article in the Williamson Herald a few weeks ago:
City’s Growth Attracts Hospital Plan

“The CON that allowed WMC to undertake the current $83 million expansion project accounts for the ongoing population growth to our south, so we definitely believe we already meet the need for hospital services,” said Laura Bustetter, marketing and public relations director for WMC.

Well Ms. Bustetter, where is the data that was used to take into consideration Spring Hill's projected growth?

Here's a hint, it's located in Williamson Medical Center's 2002 CON Request for the $83 million expansion (CN0205-035 & CN0211-115).







Here's a summary:
1. WMC projected the population of Spring Hill in 2010 to be (drum roll, please...) 9,992.
2. WMC projected the population of Thompson's Station in 2010 to be 8,889.
3. The combined projected population in 2010 of Spring Hill and Thompson's Station was projected to be 18,881.
4. Spring Hill (Zip Code 37174) is not even listed in the Primary Service Area Definition for Williamson Medical Center (oops!).

So what does all of this mean?

According to the City of Spring Hill 2005 special census which was certified by the State of TN, the population of Spring Hill in 2005 was 17,325. Realistic projections put the Spring Hill population currently at about 23,000. In their CON request to the HSDA back in 2002, Williamson Medical Center, just like TriStar today, was required to demonstrate (A) Need, (B) Economic Feasibility and (C) Contribution to the Orderly Development of Health Care.

WMC demonstrated that their expanded facility would provide services for the need of 9,992 citizens in the Spring Hill area in 2010. WMC also demonstrated that their facility would be economically feasible if the population in Spring Hill would grow to 9,992 citizens in 2010. Lastly, WMC demonstrated that their facility would contribute to the orderly development of health care in the Spring Hill area if the population would grow to 9,992 citizens in 2010.

Ms. Bustetter, please stop with the rhetoric.

Note: This is Part III of a series.
Click here for Part I
Click here for Part II
Part III - Current Post
Click here for Part IV