Some hospitals have been forced to shutter services amid staffing shortages and financial issues, and several ASC leaders think these service line closures could be a growth opportunity.
"As hospitals evaluate and close or ramp down in specific service lines, it can be a real opportunity for ASCs to capture new volume in a variety of specialties," Jennifer Misajet, RN, interim chief nursing officer at Fresno, Calif.-based Saint Agnes Medical Center, told Becker's in November. "Surgical patient volume in many specialties continues to migrate safely and appropriately to an ambulatory approach in both ASCs and hospitals. While service expansion may require ASCs to purchase specialty equipment and train staff, selectively focusing on growing volumes in specialties moving out of acute care can make sense for the revenue, productivity and utilization of the ASC."
1. Wahiawa (Hawaii) General Hospital temporarily closed its emergency department due to heating, ventilation and air conditioning issues related to the aging facility.
2. Trinity Health will temporarily close its pharmacy on Ypsilanti-based Eastern Michigan University's campus from March 22 to late summer due to supply and staffing issues.
3. Renovo, Pa.-based Bucktail Medical Center will close its long-term care facility May 14 due to mounting financial issues.
4. Adventist Health Tulare (Calif.) is pausing obstetrics services on June 6 for an unspecified amount of time due to staffing shortages and birth declines.
5. Washington, Ind.-based Daviess Community Hospital will close its inpatient behavioral health unit May 1 to focus on outpatient mental health services.