Camden, Ark.-based Ouachita County Medical Center transitioned to a rural emergency hospital July 1 after it received approval from CMS.
Glenda Harper, who has been president and CEO of the center since August 2025, told Becker’s the hospital made the decision to transition over its finances.
“We had eliminated a number of services, so it just seemed like the appropriate level for us,” she said.
Ouachita County Medical Center first chose to transition to a critical access hospital, but was located too close to another CAH facility to qualify.
While the hospital currently has 49 beds, the REH transition will remove inpatient stay and limit length of stay with observation. The hospital will also focus on outpatient procedures and services, and new revenue streams, including a pulmonary rehab that opened June 8, and plans to open a Physiologic Insulin Resensitization clinic and pain clinic.
The hospital has around 154 employees. Ms. Harper said that while certain areas were closed due to the REH transition, affected employees were absorbed into other service areas.
“I see it as a way forward for us, because financially it’ll give us a boost,” Ms. Harper said. “It’s a right fit for the services that we’re offering at this point.”
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