West Virginia hospital abruptly ends inpatient, emergency services

Alia Paavola -

Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, W.Va., suspended inpatient and emergency medical services on Sept. 4. The medical center announced the decision via a news release on Sept. 3, according to local TV station WTOV 9.

Hospital officials said the "unwanted, yet unavoidable," decision was made due to an unsuccessful search for a strategic partner, lack of interest from potential buyers and a more than $37 million operating loss over the last two years.

The hospital's president and CEO Daniel Dunmyer also placed blame on a local competitor's alleged violations of the anti-kickback and Stark law.

If the medical center remains closed, more than 750 employees will lose their jobs, according to a news release. 

Ohio Valley Medical Center was initially slated to close Oct. 7. 

Copyright © 2024 Becker's Healthcare. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy. Cookie Policy. Linking and Reprinting Policy.