(February 1, 2008) - The Kentucky Hospital Association has just released a report showing how Kentucky's 120 hospitals contribute nearly $4.9 billion to the state's economy each year. According to the report, economic impact is driven by payroll and purchasing supplies and services.

Jackson Purchase Medical Center in Mayfield draws patients regionally.

(July 30, 2017) -West Kentucky Journal researched seventeen hospitals from Hopkinsville to Paducah. We looked at the number of beds, patients treated, patients admitted, numbers of nurses and doctors. Yearly hospitals treat over 300,000 people.

Researching the footprint that hospitals have in Western Kentucky only in terms of economic impact starkly illustrates the effect that changes in delivery of health and medical care will have on this region.

Editor's Note: This story was written while the publisher was a "guest" of the Vanderbilt Regional Medical Center. The research is three years old but there haven't been big hospital expansions in the last three years. It felt like a good time to reopen it with the worry over enough beds with the Covid-19 pandemic spreading into our region.

ALL KENTUCKY DEMOCRATIC MEETINGS ARE OFF UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

The Fulton County Democratic Committee will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, March 12th at Citizens Bank(Side entry), in the City of Hickman. Those who want to support the Committee can send donations to 6989 State Route 125, Hickman, Ky. 42050, Checks payable to Fulton County Democratic Committee.

The Hickman County Democratic Precinct Convention is set for Sat. March 21st, 10 a.m. at Mary Potter's Law Office Conference Room, 113 N. Washington St. in Clinton.

At this writing, the Hickman County Democratic Convention is set for Saturday April 18th, 10 AM also at the Potter law office conference room.

We will post other county meetings as they are sent to us.

Rep. Steve Rudy (R-1st District) is KY House Budget chair

Word has reached me that the Republican controlled House Budget Committee, under the control of First District Representative Steven Rudy, has declared war on local rural libraries. Rudy sees fit to cut 2.5 million dollars from the Governor's requested state library fund of $7.8 million goal.

Why?

It's all about having access to books, to learning, to crafting knowledge, to seeking the world beyond rural West Kentucky...

(Paducah, Ky.) March 10, 2020 -- Baptist Health is closely monitoring the evolving novel coronavirus (COVID-19) updates. In an abundance of caution, Baptist Health has activated the appropriate infection control protocols at each hospital until further notice to protect patients, as well as the staff and community.

Maternity and NICU: Only parents and grandparents will be allowed to visit the NICU. On the Mother-Baby and Labor and Delivery units, parents, grandparents, and siblings without a fever or runny nose will be allowed to visit. Please keep the number of visitors to two at a time.

All Other Adult Units (non-maternity): Patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU), Telemetry, and Medical/Surgical patients, and anyone having outpatient surgery or other procedures, will be allowed up to two visitors at a time from immediate family.

Clergy: We respectfully welcome clergy for Palliative Care, Emergent and Hospice Care patient family support, along with immediate family members only...

Memories permeate our lives,

Our adaptive brains the optic lens,

Remembering the good, minimizing the bad...

Geese and migratory tundra birds rush seasonally,

To where Earth's extremities expand and contract,

Ice fields laid back to expose feeding and breeding grounds....

(Paducah, Ky.) Feb. 24, 2020 - During Heart Month, Baptist Health Paducah wants to remind the public that knowing your blood pressure numbers is the first step to improving your heart health and protecting your vital organs.

Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to heart attack, stroke, heart failure, kidney disease, vision loss, and other problems. High blood pressure, called hypertension, can cause damage in your body for years before symptoms develop...

Blood pressure chart and warning signs follow.

Ivan and Mary Potter shopping in Hazel KY

Meet the husband and wife team responsible for West Kentucky Journal.

Editor's Note: Updated - Ivan Potter retired from the Clinton City Council as of January 1, 2017.

WKJ now has over 6000 articles and 2.5 million yearly views.