SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – For 25 years, Regional West Medical Center has provided its patients, patient families, medical residents and employed nurses a place to stay when in need. The “hospital hotel”, known as Inn Touch, was recently renovated, adding seven rooms for a total of 34 rooms.

“The renovation is great way to mark the service’s 25th birthday,” said David Griffiths, Regional West Chief Financial Officer. “The facility is fully occupied most of the time so the expansion is a wonderful addition.”

Located in the South Unit (the former St. Mary Hospital building) on Avenue B, Inn Touch is a welcome service for many who are in need of a low-cost place to stay during their medical experience.

Barbara Durnall has seen many guests come and go, pleased with the cleanliness of their room and its close location to the hospital. She has served as the Inn Touch supervisor since the facility opened in 1984.

“On many occasions we have had radiation or chemotherapy patients stay at Inn Touch, sometimes as long as eight weeks. We have had new mothers stay while waiting for their babies to be released from the hospital. We have also had a lot of out-of-town patients awaiting surgery come to Inn Touch the night before or the week of, depending on how many pre-surgery tests they have,” said Durnall.

In addition to patients and patient families, Inn Touch also temporarily houses medical residents, nursing students and nurses working temporary status at Regional West. According to Durnall, Inn Touch rooms are usually half occupied by residents and nurses and half by patients and patient families.

“It’s just a great service,” said Durnall. “We are always hearing from our guests how appreciative they are that Regional West provides the service. They say it’s a Godsend and that makes me so proud to work here.”

Inn Touch rooms are reserved for out of town guests who may not be able to afford the cost of a local hotel. Students and staff are charged $10 per day up to $200 per month. Patients and patient families are charged $30 per night.

For more information about Regional West Inn Touch or to make a reservation, call 308-630-1222. The Inn Touch office is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, we offer care that spans more than 40 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and is one of only three Level II Trauma Centers in the state of Nebraska.