Ontario, Calif.-based Prime Healthcare is temporarily suspending pediatric inpatient services at its Joliet, Ill.-based St. Joseph Medical Center after averaging less than one patient daily at the unit.
Around eight employees and two physicians will be affected by the service line closure. The physicians have been offered roles with Prime’s affiliated medical group, and the affected nursing employees will be offered a similar position in another St. Joseph Joliet department or at a different Prime hospital, according to an April 21 release shared with Becker’s.
St. Joseph Joliet’s emergency department will continue to offer immediate pediatric treatment through its Emergency Department Approved for Pediatrics certification. The hospital has also established a transfer agreement with Endeavor Health Edward Hospital to ensure expanded pediatric specialty care access.
“The suspension of pediatric services at Saint Joseph Joliet is also reversible, pending future demand,” the statement said. “Transfer of pediatric patients requiring inpatient care will begin on April 25.”
Prime completed the acquisition of St. Joseph Joliet and seven other St. Louis-based Ascension hospitals in Illinois on March 1. Prime also purchased four post-acute and senior living facilities, two ASCs and Chicago-based Ascension St. Elizabeth, which closed in mid-February. The health system is working with the city of Chicago and the community to determine next steps for the hospital.
Following the service line closure, St. Joseph Joliet will invest in other service lines like spinal surgery, surgery and neurosurgery. The health system will also expand outpatient surgery through a new ambulatory surgical center to increase access and efficiency for patients that need less invasive procedures.
“The Chicago Medical Society supports the thoughtful service line adjustments being implemented at the former Ascension hospitals under Prime Healthcare’s leadership,” a statement from the Chicago Medical Society shared with Becker’s said. “As a physician-founded and physician-led organization, Prime Healthcare shares our deep commitment to patient-centered care, clinical excellence, and community health. By creating centers of excellence and investing in unmet community needs, this model ensures that each hospital can offer exceptional care while preserving access to services across the region.”
