After 31 years, Ashland (Ky.) Emergency Medical Associates will no longer serve in the emergency department at Ashland, Ky.-based King's Daughters Medical Center, The Daily Independent reports.
Beginning at midnight on Jan. 15, emergency physicians from TeamHealth, a Knoxville, Tenn.-based national hospital staffing firm, will take over.
When the contract with Ashland Emergency Medical Associates ends, the 10-physician group will disband, according to the report. However, two physicians who are currently part of the group and four former members will join TeamHealth's staff.
Although the hospital "appreciates the dedication, care and service," of Ashland Emergency Associates, King's Daughters chose to shift to the national staffing firm primarily to help drive down wait times and improve patient satisfaction scores, hospital spokesman Tom Dearing told The Daily Independent.
Read the full report here.
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