Topeka, Kan.-based St. Francis Health has stopped performing open-heart surgeries, and will stop performing certain neurosurgeries by May 6, according to a Topeka Capital-Journal report.
Here are three things to know about the service cuts.
1. St. Francis Health said two neurosurgeons, of their own accord, decided to turn in resignation notices following conversations about improving the neurosurgery practice performance. The hospital is currently working to bring in a spine surgeon to continue to offer spine surgery at St. Francis, but said it is unlikely the hospital will continue to offer cranial surgery.
2. The hospital decided to stop open-heart surgeries after seeing a decrease in the number of such surgeries, partly due to technology advancements and the development of less invasive procedures, St. Francis Health spokeswoman Nikki Sloup said, according to the report.
3. The hospital will still offer general neurology services, and continue to offer heart procedures through its catheterization lab, Ms. Sloup said. Limited cardiothoracic services for more complex interventional and electrophysiology procedures will be available, beginning next month.