RI’s HEALTH Approves Closing of Memorial Hospital’s Obstetrics Services
Friday, May 27, 2016
The Rhode Island Department of Health has approved Care New England's proposal to transfer obstetrics services from Memorial Hospital to Kent Hospital and Women & Infants Hospital in a decision that includes conditions aimed at ensuring access to care for patients and communities served by facilities throughout the Care New England system.
Click Here for a Copy of the Decision
“Care New England’s current financial situation has serious implications, not just for Memorial Hospital, but for patients, communities, and employees throughout Rhode Island. We listened carefully to the community throughout this process. Our decision is responsive to those who expressed their preference for Memorial’s unique birthing environment, while at the same time helping to ensure that people throughout Rhode Island continue to receive quality, affordable care," said Nicole Alexander-Scott, MD, MPH, Director of Health.
Conditions of the decision include:
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- Women & Infants shall maintain its alternative birthing services, and within six months Care New England shall submit a plan to RIDOH for replicating Memorial’s obstetrics unit’s unique, birthing center experience within another Care New England hospital. In developing this plan, Care New England will be required to convene an expert group of consultants who are familiar with, and who helped implement, this model at Memorial Hospital.
- Care New England shall engage an outplacement services firm for displaced staff, and shall notify staff of this career transition service; and
- Care New England shall cover any additional out-of-pockets costs for current Memorial obstetric patients with commercial health insurance whose obstetrical care is transferred to other Care New England hospitals.
Care New England is not authorized to begin transferring obstetrics services from Memorial Hospital before August 1, 2016.
Department of Health's Review
The Rhode Island Department of Health collected aggregate patient data and audited financial statements from Care New England. An independent financial analyst was engaged by RIDOH to review the financial documents.
Some of the findings from information received include:
- The majority of women in Memorial Hospital’s service area receive obstetrical care at Women & Infants Hospital. In 2015, more than 92 percent of the 3,687 children born to women who lived in Central Falls, Pawtucket, and Providence were delivered at Women & Infants.
- There are five other birthing hospitals in Rhode Island, including Women & Infants, seven miles away.
- The current financial situation at Care New England is unsustainable, and further deterioration in Care New England’s operating margins increases the risk of a bond covenant violation. This could have serious implications on the entire Care New England system.
Care New England
Care New England facilities include Butler Hospital, Care New England Wellness Center, Kent Hospital, Memorial Hospital, the Providence Center, VNA of Care New England, and Women & Infants Hospital.
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