Focusing on Efficiency, Regional West Continues to Evolve

SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., ― Regional West’s first quarter of 2025 has been filled with anticipation and change. In early March, Regional West welcomed President and CEO Ned Resch to the organization. The health system added the da Vinci 5 robotic surgery system, the latest robotic technology from Intuitive, to its robotic surgery suite. The company also celebrated the soon-to-open PET/CT suite located in Medical Plaza South.

Regional West continues to evolve as an organization and work on not only improving patient care but also delivering care efficiently.

Improving organizational efficiencies is important and will result in substantial cost savings. 
"One recent example in cost savings is merging the medical/surgical patient floors into one location on 2 West. The move improved efficiency in providing care and allowed us to reduce the number of traveling employees," said Resch. "This change resulted in cost savings for the organization and allowed us to focus on Regional West employees and recruit clinical employees where needed. We plan to be flexible with this decision and return to two floors when appropriate."

Another issue is that nationwide, the healthcare industry is continually changing and facing new challenges. The hospitals that survive and thrive are those which continuously self-assess and change in the face of these challenges.

For example, Resch noted that over a year ago, hospitals in Nebraska were scheduled to receive additional Medicaid dollars. As then-Regional West CEO, Mel McNea, and the executive team continued to lead Regional West out of debt, this Medicaid commitment became vital. To date, this money still has not been distributed. Through the Nebraska Hospital Association and legislators, Regional West has joined in the chorus of hospital voices across the state asking for the release of these funds.

"The services Regional West provides are crucial to the Scottsbluff/Gering community and the region. We are changing and evolving now to position ourselves to be the strongest partner for you and your family’s healthcare in the future," concluded Resch.

About Regional West
Regional West Health Services in Scottsbluff, Nebraska is the parent company of Regional West Medical Center, a regional referral center and the only Level II Trauma Center in Nebraska west of Kearney. Since 1924, Regional West has served the people of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota, and Wyoming through innovative healthcare services. As the region’s sole tertiary medical center, Regional West offers an expansive array of medical specialties and numerous physician clinics.