The ER was initially opened as a hospital outpatient department as an extension of the health system’s flagship Faith Community Hospital, Faith Community Health System CEO Frank Beaman, told Becker’s Sept. 25.
In a Sept. 23 letter to the community, obtained by Becker’s, Mr. Beaman shared that after an internal review, the ER did not meet projections needed to maintain operations.
“Operating what effectively is a free-standing ER is simply not sustainable without a greater level of financial support from the community,” Mr. Beaman said in the letter.
Mr. Beaman also shared that the health system attempted to convert the ER to a rural emergency hospital and was twice unsuccessful “due to the way legislation was written.”
“[The law] will only allow for the conversion of an existing acute care hospital and does not provide for designation of a new emergency room like what we opened in Bowie,” the letter said. “The federal funding of approximately $3.2 million annually under the REH designation would have been sufficient to support our efforts.”
Existing employees who are eligible will be reassigned to open positions at Faith Community Health System.
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.