ST. MARK’S MEDICAL CENTER TO CUT STAFF, SERVICES
St. Mark’s Medical Center in La Grange is cutting nearly half of its staff and several services amid financial struggles.
The hospital board voted unanimously last Thursday, February 9th to pursue becoming a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH), transitioning from a full-service hospital. Starting Saturday, the hospital will only offer 24/7 emergency medical services, patient observation and select outpatient services.
According to the Fayette County Record, 64 of the hospital’s 144 employees are losing their jobs, including 58 full-time positions and six part-time positions.
Services closing include inpatient services, surgical services, orthopedic care, post-acute rehab, ambulatory care and speech therapy. However, 24/7 emergency services, lab work, X-rays and imaging, mammography, pharmacy services, cardiac rehab, and therapy for physical, occupational and respiratory needs will continue.
A press release from the hospital says the REH model is designed to “maintain access to emergency and critical outpatient services in communities that may not be able to financially support or sustain a community hospital.” The REH designation was adopted by the federal government at the start of the year and by Texas legislators on January 13th.
To qualify for the new designation, 24/7 emergency services must be maintained, but inpatient services cannot be offered. Approved hospitals will receive an increase in reimbursement for relevant outpatient services, as well as a monthly facility payment from Medicare.
St. Mark’s President and CEO Mark Kimball said the hospital board and leadership “have exhausted every other financial avenue.” He said the hospital is “optimistic that with this new REH designation, St. Mark’s can remain a viable, local healthcare facility,” but stressed that it will still need “additional financial support from the community to survive.”