Richardton hospital changes to nursing home

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At the stroke of midnight, the Richardton hospital became a nursing care center.

Administrator Jim Opdahl says many people won't notice the change. He says there's still a lot of work to do.

Opdahl says the 13 patients who were in the hospital's swing bed program are being readmitted as long-term care residents of the Richardton Health Center. A renovation project will give the center about 20 beds.

The Richardton center is ending its 24-hour hospital emergency and acute care services and is giving up its "critical access" designation to St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson, about 20 miles west.

Officials say the change is needed for both facilities to survive.

The Richardton hospital got a federal grant of more than $900,000 to pay for its conversion to a nursing care center.

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