Admissions drop in 2024, but trauma visits up at Klickitat Valley Health

As a critical access hospital, a report must be presented to the board annually.

Highlights of the report included:

• The total number of admissions dropped about 2.5%, compared to 2023.

• Top three reasons for admission were cellulitis, pneumonia and heart failure.

• Top three reasons for 72 hour returns to the emergency department were abdominal pain, respiratory infections and behavioral / substance use disorders.

• Visits to the emergency department for trauma were up from 67 in 2023 to 95 in 2024; there were less than 33 trauma visits from 2020-2022.

• In the imaging department, the MRI machine is now being contracted for three days a week — up from two last year.

• The laboratory department gained 559 more patients in 2024 over 2023; new equipment has been purchased, including two Hematology Analyzers, three BD Veritors, and two Medtox units.

The board also discussed its goals for 2025, which include working toward a management standard known as ISO 9001 certification, to improve the district’s financial viability, and prepare for disasters and emergencies.

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Columbia Gorge Documenters are powered by Uplift Local. Read full meeting notes of the April 23 meeting by Uplift Local Documenter Amy Spring here.