Onslow Memorial Hospital in Jacksonville, N.C., has scrapped plans to merge with CarolinaEast Medical Center in New Bern, N.C., and Vidant Health in Greenville, N.C., according to a report from The Daily News.
Here are five things to know about the decision.
1. The decision comes about one year after the systems began discussing the prospect of joining forces. According to the report, negotiations essentially stalled over details about leadership at Onslow.
2. Of the decision to end merger talks, hospital attorney Fred Carmichael told The Daily News, "It's extraordinarily difficult to make a three-way deal work. The hospital's in good shape. It was never a fire sale."
3. Mr. Carmichael also added that "there are a lot of reasons" for the decision, and that the new direction "is not the fault of anyone."
4. Although the merger discussions have been called off, the past 12 months were beneficial to Onslow Memorial Hospital in many ways, Onslow County Hospital Authority Board Chairman Pat Alford said, according The Daily News. "We learned more about ourselves and also learned more about the other organizations," Mr. Alford added. "This process also helped us improve our finances and quality measures despite a difficult year for most hospitals. Our bottom line is in the black and we've received several regional and national quality awards. The hospital has a lot to be proud of right now."
5. Mr. Alford told The Daily News Onslow will continue to explore the feasibility of future partnerships.
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