As of March 27, Providence Santa Rosa (Calif.) Memorial Hospital will no longer admit patients to its inpatient pediatric unit, according to a statement shared with Becker’s.
Santa Rosa Memorial, part of Renton, Wash.-based Providence, said in October it would close the eight-bed unit and repurpose it for adult inpatient care, citing low patient volumes and financial challenges. The unit averaged fewer than two admitted patients per day, most of whom stayed less than 48 hours.
In a statement, Eric Hodes, MD, chief medical officer for Providence Sonoma County, said the change is intended to expand adult inpatient capacity, where demand is higher.
The hospital said most pediatric patients will continue to receive care through its emergency department, which remains open 24/7, with pediatricians and clinicians with pediatric expertise on staff.
Santa Rosa Memorial’s labor and delivery unit and neonatal intensive care unit will remain open and continue to be staffed locally and led by UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital neonatologists.
Providence Medical Group pediatric team and outpatient pediatric services will also continue to serve families, the hospital said.
Providence operates 51 hospitals and employs approximately 125,000 caregivers.
