History and Background of Lost Rivers Medical Center

Lost Rivers Medical Center was originally established in 1958 as an association. It was operated by the Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. The Sisters operated the facility under the auspices of Butte County and filled positions from Administration down to Housekeeping. They also added five Long Term Beds during their time of operation. Their successful operation of Lost Rivers Hospital ended in 1975.

In 1975 the Hospital became a quasi-governmental taxing district, created under Butte County. Later, Southern Custer County joined into the taxing district and has remained as a taxing participant up to today.

Lost Rivers Medical Center is committed to meeting the health care needs of Idaho's Butte and Lower Custer Counties through compassionate patient care, excellent customer service and honest and open communications.

To fulfill that commitment, LRMC's Board, employees and physicians have dedicated themselves to continual performance improvement. LRMC is committed to providing an environment with teamwork, integrity, quality care, stewardship and service. Each affects not only the community’s general health but also our commitment to their quality of life.

When LRMC first opened its doors in 1959, its main purpose was to provide acute inpatient care to the citizens of Butte and Lower Custer Counties. Today, more than 40 years later, we have expanded that original goal to include Long Term Care, Home Health, Hospice and 2 vital Rural and Community Health Clinics serving Arco and Mackay.

LRMC provides Diagnostic imaging, Radiology Services, Mammography Services, Ultrasound Services, Emergency Services, Laboratory Services, Acute Care Services, Out-Patient Services, Swing Bed Services, Home Health Services, Hospice Services and Physical Therapy Services, and Occupational Therapy Services.

Lost Rivers Medical Center is an integral part of the Idaho's Frontier Rural Health Care delivery system. Our coverage area of five-thousand two hundred and twenty five (5225) square miles serves a population of nearly 7,000 people (1.33 persons per square mile), some of the areas that we cover are extremely isolated, particularly in winter. To diminish the isolation for patients and providers, we offer network services to support services such as Tele-Radiology and Telemedicine.

In 2004-Lost Rivers Medical Center became a Critical Access Hospital with Medicare. This designation allows LRMC to be reimbursed from Medicare on a cost basis rather than a fee schedule. Previous to this designation, LRMC was reimbursed below its cost from Medicare as a whole.

Statistical Information for LRMC

Acute Care Beds: 14
Skilled nursing beds: 25
Emergency Room: 3 beds