LANCASTER − Fairfield Medical Center said it will close the River View Surgery Center and its Fairfield Healthcare Professionals Sleep Medicine office.
In addition, there will be “limited staff reductions.”
The surgery center at 2401 N. Columbus St. will close in the spring and the sleep medicine office at 135 N. Ewing St. will close on Feb. 27. The hospital’s sleep lab will also close on Feb. 27.
In a statement, the hospital said the closures are part of “several cost-reduction strategies to help ensure we remain a steadfast and reliable partner in community care as we continue to operate in an increasingly complex and financially strained environment.”
FMC said the changes will result in limited staff reductions across several departments.
“FMC is committed to supporting impacted team members with transition services and encourages those who are interested to apply for currently available positions,” the hospital said.
To ensure minimal disruption, the statement said all procedures performed at the surgery center will move to the main FMC campus or appropriate outpatient settings. The hospital plans on seeing existing patients for appropriate follow-up care until the spring. It also said it will work closely with those patients for a seamless transition to alternative providers.
The FMC statement said the decision to discontinue those services was made as the hospital and other healthcare organizations “continue to face financial pressure due to reimbursement shortfalls, rising supply costs and ongoing workforce challenges.”
The hospital also said such issues require deliberate and responsible action to protect access to care and sustainability.
FMC said it “remains focused on strong financial stewardship and strategic collaboration to preserve essential services for the communities we serve.”
The moves come as OhioHealth is in the process of acquiring the hospital. The Columbus Dispatch reported the FMC board and OhioHealth endorsed a merger in September.
Both parties are “proceeding towards finalization of their arrangement, which includes completing any necessary government filings,” OhioHealth’s said in a November statement to the Dispatch.
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This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: FMC to close River View Surgery Center and sleep medicine office
Reporting by Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette / Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
