The soon-to-be shuttered hospitals in southeastern Pennsylvania, owned by Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., will reopen as outpatient and behavioral health venues by the end of 2022.
Citing "post-pandemic operational realities," Crozer Health on Wednesday said it will close two acute-care hospitals – including emergency departments -- in southeastern Pennsylvania within 60 days and transition the venues into new care roles.
Delaware County Memorial Hospital in Drexel Hill, PA, will transition into a behavioral health hospital with more than 100 inpatient beds. Springfield Memorial Hospital in Springfield, PA, will transition to outpatient only services, including imaging, urgent care, and minor surgeries, and will house physician offices. Those transitions are expected to be completed sometime in 2023.
Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park and Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland will remain acute-care hospitals.
"What we've done is assess what those needs are in partnership with physicians, the community, and local leaders," Crozer Health CEO Anthony Esposito said in a media release. "Through this engagement, we determined that access to community-based, high-quality, safe, and effective services are key to being responsive to the community while also addressing the changing nature of healthcare today."
Wednesday's announcement comes one month after Crozer, a for-profit system owned by LA-based Prospect Medical Holdings, Inc., cancelled merger talks with Wilmington, DE-based ChristianaCare Health System, Inc. The two systems at the time blamed a shifting "economic landscape" for healthcare services.
Crozer says it will also continue its previously announced systemwide transition to not-for-profit status.
"We've looked at how we can provide better access to care for our patients, especially the most vulnerable, while not ignoring the pressures hospitals are facing in this post-pandemic world," said Crozer CMO Dina Capalongo, DO. "We will refine alternate care models and technology to enhance this access."
“Through this engagement, we determined that access to community-based, high-quality, safe, and effective services are key to being responsive to the community while also addressing the changing nature of healthcare today.”
Anthony Esposito, CEO, Crozer Health.
John Commins is a content specialist and online news editor for HealthLeaders, a Simplify Compliance brand.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Delaware County Memorial Hospital will transition into a 100-bed inpatient behavioral health hospital.
Springfield Memorial Hospital will transition to outpatient only, including imaging, urgent care, and minor surgeries.
Taylor Hospital in Ridley Park and Crozer-Chester Medical Center in Upland will remain acute-care hospitals.
Wednesday's announcement comes one month after Crozer cancelled merger talks with ChristianaCare.
Crozer says it will continue its systemwide transition to not-for-profit status.