Kootenai Health often gets questions from the public and media about our organization. Here are a few commonly requested facts about Kootenai.
About Kootenai Health
Kootenai Health (formerly Kootenai Medical Center) is a regional medical referral center. We provide comprehensive care in and out of the hospital for patients of all ages throughout the inland northwest.
Our main campus is in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, and includes our 330-bed community-owned hospital, named Kootenai Health. Our regional system includes more than 25+ clinic specialties in more than 30 locations, including Sandpoint, Clarkston, Post Falls, Hayden, and additional satellite locations. Specialties from family medicine, cardiology, orthopedics, surgery, and more. Kootenai Health repeatedly earns national recognition for safety and is a Magnet nursing facility.
In 2020, our board and administrative team updated our strategic plan. From this plan, we developed a new, bold vision statement to guide our next ten years. Read more about our vision here.
Kootenai Health Facts
Hospital District Structure and Taxing Authority
Kootenai Hospital District (Kootenai Health) was created in 1956 by the residents of Kootenai County. It is governed by a board of trustees. As a hospital district, Kootenai Health has the ability to levy taxes to support its operations. However, due to sound financial stewardship, Kootenai Health has not levied taxes since 1995 and has no plans to do so. Kootenai Health has grown to meet the evolving health care needs of the communities we serve. Please see more on our history here.
Financial Health
Kootenai Health met or exceeded its operating budget for several years in a row. Even with all the challenges of 2020, we were able to obtain a positive operating margin. Kootenai Health has been able to control expenses and increase revenue while meeting the health care needs of its residents. It is this strong performance that has alleviated the need to levy taxes and help fund our growth. This strong performance has also been recognized by outside bond rating agencies. For the past six years, Kootenai Health has received an “A” rating from Standard and Poors. See more on our awards and recognition here.
Health Corridor
The Health Corridor urban renewal district is an area that focuses on developing 259 acres, located between Interstate 90 on the north and Davidson Avenue on the south, and the western slope of Northwest Boulevard on the east and Government Way on the west. The project is overseen by Ignite Cd’A, an organization made up of board members appointed by the Mayor of Coeur d’Alene. Kootenai Health does not receive any funds from the Health Corridor project, or any related entity. While Kootenai Health has provided feedback to the planners, it does not oversee the planning or development of the Health Corridor.
Panhandle Health District
Kootenai Health is not legally affiliated with the Panhandle Health District, which is an Idaho health district, not a hospital district. Kootenai Health has no control over Panhandle Health’s operations, its board, or who is appointed to serve on its board.
COVID-19 Response
Kootenai Health has been the only hospital in Kootenai County to provide care for COVID-19 infected patients. To date, its health care heroes have selflessly treated more than 900 COVID-19 inpatients, tested more than 83,000 patients for COVID-19, and administered more than 20,800 COVID-19 vaccine shots in arms. Kootenai Health has been a resource for all of North Idaho through this public health crisis. Please see more on our COIVD-19 efforts here.
Community Outreach
In the course of a year, Kootenai Health hosts dozens of community outreach events. These events cover a variety of topics from heart disease, cancer, to injury prevention. Kootenai uses these events to educate the community on preventive measures, early detection, and more. Kootenai Health is also active in community events and sponsors various programs that speak to our mission. Please see more about our outreach and community involvement here.
Kootenai Health Family Medicine Coeur d’Alene Residency
The Kootenai Health family medicine residency program started in 2014. It is a three-year program affiliated with the University of Washington Family Medicine Residency Network. The program is designed to train full-spectrum family medicine providers, with a focus on training physicians for future practice in rural family medicine. All 24 of the graduates to date have obtained board certification, and 17 are practicing in Idaho. More information about the residency program is available here.
Unique Awards and Designations
Kootenai Health is routinely recognized and ranked as a leader in health care by patients, peers, and national organizations. Examples include Gallup Great Workplace, and Magnet Nursing. More information on Kootenai Health’s accomplishments is available here.
About Kootenai Health’s Vision 2030
To read all about the vision and how it was created, click here.
Why is a vision important?
The world is moving and changing. Because of this, it has been said that if you are standing still, you are moving backward. Vision helps counter that. A vision establishes a goal for the future. It helps organizations retain focus on strategic priorities, inspire staff members, and recruit others who want to be part of achieving the vision. Kootenai Health’s 2020 Vision seemed unattainable – until we achieved it. This past performance gives us confidence we can achieve future success with our 2030 Vision.
What does it take to be a premier medical destination?
Becoming a premier medical destination requires work on a number of fronts. First, it requires clinical outcomes that are among the best in the nation. Next it requires the ability to provide medical care for the full spectrum of conditions in a given clinical area, for example, cardiac care. Finally, it requires a superior experience that takes into consideration all the needs of patients and their families.
Why is Kootenai Health working to become a premier medical destination?
In 2011 when Kootenai Health developed its vision to be a regional referral center with national recognition, some were convinced it couldn’t be done. Interestingly, people also scoffed when the Coeur d’Alene Resort set its sights on becoming a premier vacation destination. Since Kootenai Health set its vision in 2011, approximately one-third of its patients are now from outside Kootenai County. Kootenai Health has also been recognized with numerous national designations for quality care, employee engagement and financial stewardship. This success, along with the continued growth of our community, gives us confidence that continuing our efforts to enhance and expand our services will only benefit our community.
How would being a premier medical destination benefit our local community?
Our local community will benefit from Kootenai Health becoming a premier medical destination in a couple of important ways. First, as we continue our work to provide best-in-class healthcare, members of our community will also enjoy superior care. Next, as Kootenai Health provides care to more people, it becomes possible to attract and support needed sub-specialists like oncologists specializing in gynecologic cancers. Finally, other communities with destination medical centers have seen a significant boost to their local economies; we believe that can be the case here as well.
How would being a premier medical destination benefit Kootenai Health employees?
Kootenai Health has been nationally recognized for its exceptional employee engagement. We also have Magnet designation for nursing excellence. We believe all employees want an opportunity to do their best work and excel in their chosen fields. As Kootenai Health works to become a premier medical destination, each of our employees can share in the pride and satisfaction of providing our patients superior care and a friendly, compassionate experience. Expanding service offerings also provides more opportunities for our employees to professionally grow and advance without having to leave our community.
Accomplishments and Annual Reports
Here is a list of our community reports for the past decade. Kootenai Health has exceeded our projected budgets/revenue/growth for the past 10 years.
Annual Report
Archived Reports
- 2016 Community Report
- 2015 Community Report
- 2014 Community Report
- 2013 Community Report
- 2012 Community Report
- 2011 Community Report
- 2010 Community Report
- 2009 Community Report
