In February, the Salem (Ore.) Outpatient Surgery Center closed its doors in response to low patient volumes, putting all future plans on hold according to a press release from the health system. Months later, the building still remains shuttered, according to a June 14 report from the Statesman Journal.
Salem Health purchased land for the ASC in 2016 for $6.5 million, starting construction on the 42,000-square-foot center in 2020.
The ASC opened in mid-2021, with property assessment records showing that millions were spent on the project, according to the report.
The center was originally opened as a joint partnership between physicians at Salem Health, Salem Clinic, Willamette Urology and Willamette Ear, Nose and Throat and Facial Plastic Surgery. However, upon its closure, Salem Health was listed as the sole owner.
"As with all things COVID-related, we have had to make difficult decisions as circumstances differ from our pre-pandemic expectations. Salem Health has become the sole owner of the surgery center and owns the building. At this time, the future of the surgery center is undecided and will be incorporated into future strategic planning discussions," Salem Health said in the release.