Mayo is removing inpatient, ICU and birthing services from Albert Lea and transitioning Austin’s behavioral health services to Albert Lea.
Dr. Gostout argues that it is no longer financially viable to operate inpatient and birthing services at both Minnesota locations, as each site has seen a 50 percent decline for both services recent years. However, she also notes that these services represent less than 5 percent of care provided at Albert Lea.
Dr. Gostout points out that, while these locations are technically two campuses of the same hospital, they have operated as stand-alone hospitals up until this point. She says that offering the most expensive services to declining demand at both campuses is an inefficient mode of operation.
While the prospect of service consolidation may be frightening, Dr. Gostout argues that it will not affect jobs or care at either location. She said Mayo will be more actively engaging with the Albert Lea community to address concerns as the transition begins.
More Articles on Leadership:
Medtronic to lay off 185 employees
Jerome Adams, MD: A grassroots champion of public health
5 healthcare questions GOP legislators must ask
At Becker's 4th Annual CEO + CFO Roundtable, taking place November 2–5 in Chicago, more than 1,500 hospital and health system executives tackle decisions that determine whether organizations thrive or merely survive: protecting margins under cost pressure, choosing where to grow, renegotiating payer relationships, stabilizing the workforce and proving real ROI on technology. This is where leaders work through them together, face-to-face. Apply for complimentary registration now.
