Audrain County Health Department wants to answer patients’ questions after hospital closure

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Audrain County Health Department said Tuesday that it is establishing a new service to help answer questions from patients of the now-closed Audrain Community Hospital.

The hospital closed last month and furloughed scores of employees. Noble Health, which ran the hospital, said it was suspending operations to restructure and become financially viable.

The health department program launched Tuesday. Residents can call 573-581-1332 to speak with a nurse navigator who can help them access medical services now that the hospital and another Noble hospital in Fulton have closed, according to a health department release.

“This service will help answer questions by some of our residents about where to turn now for health care and services in Audrain County,” health department administrator and CEO Craig Brace said in the release.

Nurse navigators will be available from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. The health department stressed in the release that the line is not for medical emergencies.