43767, Norwich, Ohio COPD Score Hospital Score

The Hospital Score for the COPD Score in 43767, Norwich, Ohio is 50 when comparing 34,000 ZIP Codes in the United States.

## COPD Care in Southeast Ohio: A Review of Hospitals Near ZIP Code 43767

The ZIP code 43767 encompasses the city of Marietta, Ohio, and surrounding areas in Washington County. This region, like many in Appalachia, faces a higher prevalence of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to factors like smoking rates and environmental exposures. Access to quality healthcare for COPD management is therefore crucial. This review assesses the hospitals within a reasonable radius of 43767, focusing on their COPD-related services, performance metrics, and accessibility.

**The Landscape of Healthcare in the Area**

The primary healthcare providers serving Marietta and its environs are Memorial Health System and Selby General Hospital. These facilities are the cornerstones of local medical care. Further afield, residents may seek specialized treatment at larger regional hospitals, particularly those in the Columbus area, approximately a two-hour drive.

**Memorial Health System: A Deep Dive**

Memorial Health System is the dominant healthcare provider in the immediate vicinity of 43767. It comprises two hospitals: Marietta Memorial Hospital and Selby General Hospital.

* **Marietta Memorial Hospital:** This is the flagship hospital within the system. As of the latest available data, Marietta Memorial Hospital holds a 3-star rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This rating reflects a composite score based on various quality measures, including patient outcomes, safety, and patient experience. While a 3-star rating indicates average performance, it's essential to delve deeper into specific COPD-related metrics.

* **COPD-Specific Services:** Marietta Memorial offers comprehensive pulmonary services, including pulmonary function testing, respiratory therapy, and access to pulmonologists. The hospital's respiratory therapy department plays a crucial role in managing COPD exacerbations and providing ongoing support.
* **Emergency Department:** ER wait times are a critical factor for COPD patients experiencing respiratory distress. Data on Marietta Memorial's ER wait times fluctuates. It's advisable to check real-time wait times on hospital websites or through third-party sources like Google or Healthgrades.
* **Telehealth:** Telehealth services are becoming increasingly important for chronic disease management. Memorial Health System offers telehealth options, which may include virtual consultations with pulmonologists, remote monitoring of vital signs, and medication management. The availability and scope of these services should be confirmed directly with the hospital.
* **Specialty Centers:** Marietta Memorial Hospital doesn't have a dedicated, standalone COPD specialty center. However, the pulmonary department works in conjunction with other specialists, such as cardiologists and infectious disease physicians, to provide comprehensive care.
* **Patient Experience:** Patient satisfaction scores, measured through surveys like the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS), offer insights into the patient experience. Reviewing patient feedback on areas like communication, responsiveness, and pain management is valuable.
* **Selby General Hospital:** Located in nearby Marietta, Selby General Hospital is a smaller facility within the Memorial Health System. It provides a range of services, including emergency care, inpatient care, and outpatient clinics. While it may not have the same breadth of specialized services as Marietta Memorial, Selby General offers a vital access point for healthcare in the community.

* **COPD-Specific Services:** Selby General Hospital offers respiratory therapy services and access to pulmonologists. Its role is often to provide immediate care for acute COPD exacerbations and to stabilize patients before transferring them to Marietta Memorial if necessary.
* **ER Wait Times:** Selby General's ER wait times can be shorter than those at Marietta Memorial, making it a potentially quicker option for patients needing immediate care.
* **Telehealth:** Selby General may offer telehealth services. The availability and scope of these services should be confirmed directly with the hospital.

**Regional Options: Expanding the Scope**

While Memorial Health System is the primary provider, residents of 43767 may seek specialized care at hospitals further afield.

* **OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital (Columbus, OH):** Located approximately two hours west of Marietta, OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital is a large, tertiary care center. It is a flagship hospital in the OhioHealth system and boasts a 4-star CMS rating.

* **COPD-Specific Services:** Riverside Methodist has a dedicated pulmonary and critical care medicine department, offering advanced diagnostic testing, interventional pulmonology procedures, and comprehensive COPD management programs. The hospital often participates in clinical trials and research related to COPD.
* **ER Wait Times:** Riverside Methodist's ER wait times can vary, but the hospital's size and resources often allow for efficient care.
* **Telehealth:** OhioHealth offers extensive telehealth services, including virtual pulmonary consultations, remote monitoring, and chronic disease management programs.
* **Specialty Centers:** Riverside Methodist features a specialized pulmonary rehabilitation program, which is crucial for improving lung function and quality of life in COPD patients.
* **Mount Carmel Health System (Columbus, OH):** Another major healthcare provider in Columbus, Mount Carmel Health System operates several hospitals, including Mount Carmel East and Mount Carmel West.

* **COPD-Specific Services:** Mount Carmel hospitals provide pulmonary services, including diagnostic testing, respiratory therapy, and access to pulmonologists.
* **ER Wait Times:** ER wait times at Mount Carmel hospitals can vary.
* **Telehealth:** Mount Carmel offers telehealth services.
* **CMS Star Ratings:** Mount Carmel East holds a 3-star CMS rating, while Mount Carmel West has a 2-star rating.
* **WVU Medicine (Morgantown, WV):** Located approximately 2 hours east of Marietta, WVU Medicine provides specialized care.

* **COPD-Specific Services:** WVU Medicine has a pulmonary department offering comprehensive COPD care.
* **ER Wait Times:** ER wait times can vary.
* **Telehealth:** WVU Medicine offers telehealth services.
* **CMS Star Ratings:** WVU Medicine has multiple hospitals.

**Key Considerations for COPD Patients**

* **Access to Pulmonologists:** The availability of board-certified pulmonologists is paramount. Patients should inquire about the number of pulmonologists on staff, their experience, and their subspecialty expertise (e.g., interventional pulmonology).
* **Respiratory Therapy Services:** The quality of respiratory therapy is critical for managing COPD exacerbations and providing ongoing support. Patients should inquire about the qualifications of respiratory therapists, the availability of advanced respiratory therapies, and the hospital's commitment to respiratory therapy education.
* **Pulmonary Rehabilitation:** Pulmonary rehabilitation programs are essential for improving lung function, exercise capacity, and quality of life. Patients should inquire about the availability of pulmonary rehabilitation programs, the program's components (e.g., exercise training, education, and psychological support), and the program's success rates.
* **Emergency Department Efficiency:** ER wait times are a critical factor for COPD patients experiencing respiratory distress. Patients should research the average wait times at local hospitals and consider the potential impact on their care.
* **Telehealth Options:** Telehealth services can improve access to care, especially for patients in rural areas. Patients should inquire about the availability of telehealth consultations, remote monitoring, and medication management programs.
* **Patient Experience:** Patient satisfaction scores and online reviews offer valuable insights into the patient experience. Patients should research patient feedback on areas like communication, responsiveness, and pain management.

**Conclusion**

For residents of the 43767 ZIP code, Memorial Health System, particularly Marietta Memorial Hospital, serves as the primary healthcare provider. However, patients may benefit from exploring regional options like OhioHealth Riverside Methodist Hospital or WVU Medicine for specialized care. When choosing a hospital, COPD patients should prioritize access to pulmonologists, comprehensive respiratory therapy services, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, efficient ER care, and telehealth options. Researching patient experience and checking CMS star ratings can also guide decision-making. Careful consideration of these factors will help COPD patients in the Marietta area receive the best possible care.