Urgent care has thrived by proving to be a safe, cost-effective alternative to hospital emergency rooms for nonemergent complaints. In some areas of the U.S., urgent care centers may become more than an “alternative” to care soon, though. Becker’s Hospital Review reports that 17 hospitals from New Jersey to California are cutting back on services that would surely be described as “essential” to many patients. While obstetrics and maternity seem to be the most likely services to disappear, the following facilities will be diminishing or eliminating emergency, acute inpatient, and/or pediatric services:
- St. Vincent Charity Medical Center in Cleveland
- Wellstar Health System’s Atlanta Medical Center
- Davis Regional Medical in Statesville, NC
- Community Hospital North in Indianapolis
- Davis Regional Medical in Statesville, NC
- Froedtert Kenosha (WI) Hospital
- FHN Memorial Hospital in Freeport, IL
- St. Vincent Dunn in Bedford, IN
- Ascension Medical Group practices in Lawrence County, IN
- Grand Blanc, MI-based Ascension Genesys Hospital
- Delaware County Memorial Hospital facilities in Drexel Hill, PA and at Springfield (PA) Hospital
Reasons for the cuts range from provider shortages to diminishing visits. Regardless, patients who counted on these locations for care are in need of a new go-to. This is an ideal time to revisit your referral relationships with area practices and hospitals.