University Hospitals ends emergency services at Bedford, Richmond Heights medical centers due to staffing issues

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – College Hospitals introduced on Thursday that inpatient and emergency providers on the system’s medical facilities in Bedford and Richmond Heights are being discontinued on account of staffing points.

An evaluation of providers concluded with College Hospitals deciding to consolidate inpatient, surgical, and emergency division procedures on the Bedford and Richmond Medical Middle to the Ahuja, Geauga, Lake West, TriPoint, Beachwood, Geneva and Conneaut places.

The consolidation is efficient Aug. 12.

The Bedford Medical Middle on Blaine Avenue initially opened in 1928. The Richmond Medical Middle on Chardon Highway in Richmond Heights has served sufferers since 1961.

Each medical facilities are roughly six miles from the following nearest emergency division.

Caregivers on the impacted medical facilities will transition to assist roles at different College Hospitals services with increased affected person volumes.

On the time of the announcement, College Hospitals stated there are extra unfilled positions on the system’s services than at every other level in its historical past.

“A nationwide workforce scarcity has created unprecedented challenges for our well being system. Though the choice to consolidate was troublesome, it was essential,” Dr. Paul Hinchey, College Hospitals interim chief working officer and president of the Group Supply Community, stated. “Our hospitals in Bedford and Richmond Heights are among the many smallest and least utilized inside UH.”

Dr. Cliff Megerian, the chief government officer at College Hospitals, launched a video message concerning the resolution:

This isn’t the primary time that College Hospitals was compelled to realign providers. A nursing and caregiver scarcity, which continues to be impacting the hospitals, precipitated the system to regulate in the course of the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Doctor providers in Bedford and Richmond Heights will proceed as scheduled. College Hospitals may also spend money on the services to enhance different providers, together with little one well being, meals safety, and different wellness applications.

Copyright 2022 WOIO. All rights reserved.