New MMH location will impact Franklin Co. agencies

(BATESVILLE, Ind.) – The new location of Margaret Mary Health will have an impact on some first responder agencies. 

The original hospital built in 1932 was in Ripley County and the new hospital that opened this weekend is in Franklin County.

Franklin County Coroner Brian Baxter said the new location will result in a heavier workload for his agency. 

That agency typically responds to around 60 calls a year which include crashes, overdoses, sudden infant deaths, suicides, accidents and some natural deaths. 

“The coroner's office by law is required to investigate certain deaths that are brought into the hospital. In the past history the hospital has had about 30 calls a year that require a coroner to respond. There are [other] cases that the attending doctor can sign the death certificate,” Baxter said.  

He said the additional calls will lead to extra costs for the county. Baxter has spoken with Franklin County commissioners and council members about a budget increase. 

“A standard call is usually around 8 hours, but they can extend to several days in an investigation up to or over 40 hours,” he explained.

The coroner’s office has a team of Certified Death Investigators that earn that certification through training, case reporting and participating in autopsies. Baxter says there is a re-certification process each year. 

The Franklin County Coroner’s Office is currently looking to hire a new member that is from the Batesville area. Interested applicants are asked to contact the office at 765-647-2626  or emailing coroner@franklincounty.in.gov . 

“The Franklin County Coroner's office is ready to work with the members of Margaret Mary hospital and families with the grief process and answer as many questions as we can,” Baxter added. 

He mentioned that the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will likely have additional calls to the hospital as well.