Poteau Tech School Helps LeFlore County Hospital After Failed Inspection

A Leflore County hospital recently shut down its surgical and obstetrical departments due to a failed state inspection.

KFSM TV in Fort Smith, Arkansas reports the Oklahoma Department of Health inspected Eastern Oklahoma Medical Center earlier this month and found multiple deficiencies including structural, mechanical and operational problems.

So, the students at Kiamichi Technology Center in Poteau decided to lend a helping hand.

"Everything from the menial tasks on up to things that the students are working with in their fields," said Kiamichi Tech's Charlie Hayes.

"[These include things] like electrical trades, heating and air conditioning and subjects that the students would learn from as well."

Bryan Blankenship is well on his way to graduating from the tech center and said he's applying real life experiences.

"It's a win, win," said Blankenship. "They need the help and we need the experience."

Officials with the 84-bed Poteau hospital say they plan to have their surgical and obstetrical departments back up and running within the next four months.

EOMC says they've made arraignments with Sparks and Mercy hospitals in Fort Smith to transfer patients in need of the services they cannot offer at this time.