The Role of Your Critical Access Hospital

Published 7:11 pm Sunday, November 8, 2026

By Submitted by Horn Memorial Hospital

Having access to quality healthcare close to home is one of the greatest advantages of living in a community served by a Critical Access Hospital. At Horn Memorial Hospital, our Emergency Department plays a vital role in providing timely, skilled and potentially lifesaving care when our patients need it most.

Critical Access Hospitals provide an essential first point of care when minutes matter most. For patients experiencing a stroke, serious injury, cardiac emergency, severe infection or other life-threatening condition, traveling an hour or more before receiving treatment may not be the safest option. Our Emergency Department provides 24/7 care, allowing assessment, treatment and stabilization to begin close to home.

Stabilizing a critically ill or injured patient can involve protecting the airway, providing respiratory support, administering time-sensitive medications, controlling bleeding, treating dangerous heart rhythms and stabilizing blood pressure. These interventions help protect patients and prepare them for specialized care when a transfer is necessary.

Care continues while transportation is being arranged. Our medical team can communicate with regional specialists, coordinate ambulance or air transport and prepare the receiving hospital so the next team is ready when the patient arrives.

The Numbers Tell the Story

Over the past 12 months, Horn Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department cared for 2,406 patients. Of those, 1,936 patients (80.5%) received treatment from our skilled clinical team and were able to return home, while 217 patients (9.0%) were admitted to our inpatient unit for continued care. The remaining 253 patients (10.5%) were stabilized and transferred to another facility for specialized services.

That means nearly 90% of patients who came through our Emergency Department received care without being transferred to another facility. For those who needed specialized services elsewhere, our team provided assessment, treatment and stabilization before coordinating the next level of care.

These numbers demonstrate the range of care provided in a rural hospital every day. Our healthcare professionals help patients get the treatment they need, often without having to leave their community.

Why Local Matters

Having a hospital close to home provides more than convenience. It provides peace of mind, knowing that skilled healthcare professionals are available around the clock when an emergency occurs. Local emergency care also supports our ambulance services, families and the overall health and well-being of the communities we serve.

Whether a patient can be treated and return home, needs inpatient care or requires specialized services elsewhere, having a local Emergency Department means care can begin sooner.

Horn Memorial Hospital is here to provide care when our communities need it – from everyday healthcare services to critical moments when immediate treatment and stabilization can make a difference.

We’re here to provide the right care, at the right time, as close to home as possible – and to help patients safely reach the next level of care when they need it.