STEPHENS COUNTY HOSPITAL LOOKS TO FUTURE WITH NEW CATARACT MACHINE

August 21, 2008

Stephens County Hospital puts an eye to the future with one equipment purchase. Monday, the Hospital Authority approved the purchase of a new cataract machine. Stephens County Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell says the current cataract machine has served them well, but they feel it is time to upgrade. "We perform approximately 235 cataract surgery cases per year, so it was time to upgrade our cataract equipment," says Gambrell. "The current equipment in use was purchased in 1996. We have gotten good use out of it, but it is time to upgrade at this time."

The new cataract machine will cost the Hospital Authority $63,500. While that may sound like a lot of money, Gambrell says it is a great deal for the hospital. "Of course, on one hand, prices have increased drastically," adds Gambrell. "However, on the other hand, just like with computers, the price of some high-tech equipment has actually gone down, so the price of $63,500 is about what we paid twelve years ago."

The Hospital Authority also approved the purchase of two bariatric beds Monday. The two beds, which will cost the hospital $18,500 each, will go into the hospital’s two new bariatric rooms. Gambrell says in the past, they had rented those beds when they needed them, but this will allow them to have the equipment they need in house. The bariatric beds and rooms receive use, according to hospital officials, when they have patients weighing over a certain amount.