Charleston, W.Va.-based Vandalia Health’s Greenbrier Valley Medical Center in Fairlea, W.Va., is changing its status from an acute care to critical access hospital, according to a Nov. 5 news release shared with Becker’s.
Like acute care hospitals, CAHs offer inpatient services and 24/7 emergency rooms, but have a 25-bed maximum with nine added observation beds.
“Critical access hospitals receive a higher level of reimbursement for services, making the hospital more sustainable for our community,” the press release said. “This designation will bolster Vandalia Health’s efforts to grow the facility in alignment with the shift toward outpatient care in both clinic and surgery settings, while still supporting appropriate levels of inpatient and observation care.”
Greenbrier Valley’s CAH certification is expected to take around 12 months.
Vandalia Health pointed to changes in healthcare reimbursement and rural hospital challenges for why hospitals across the U.S. are opting for CAH status. West Virginia currently has 21 CAHs throughout the state.
The health system also pointed to more than two years of difficulty recruiting OB-GYN providers and nurses at Greenbrier Valley, and will transition OB-GYN services to prenatal and gynecological care. The hospital will end inpatient pediatrics and obstetrics delivery services after April 2026, but will continue to offer gynecological, outpatient prenatal and pediatric care.
“Since the CAH designation aligns with current census trends at the hospital, the number of employees affected will be limited,” the release said. “While some may transfer to a different unit or office, there will be opportunities as inpatient services are adjusted and outpatient services expanded. GVMC will have numerous positions available, as will the [Charleston Area Medical Center]/Vandalia Health organization.”
Vandalia Health is a 17-hospital, multi-state health system and comprises CAMC Health System, Davis Health System and Mon Health System. CAMC has invested over $50 million in GVMC over the last three years, and plans to further invest in outpatient service expansion at the facility.
