The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus and Barnesville (Ohio) Hospital, a critical access hospital with 25 inpatient beds, have signed an affiliation agreement.
Here are four things to know about the agreement.
1. Under the agreement, the two parties will remain independent, but collaborate to develop additional care options for Barnesville residents and surrounding communities who need specialized treatment, according to a news release.
2. Ohio State and Barnesville Hospital already work closely on rural health residencies for medical students and the Telestroke network. Moving forward, the two organizations plan to collaborate in areas such as cardiology, oncology and additional telehealth services.
3. Both organizations also expect the new affiliation to improve current partnerships that both facilities have with Ohio Valley Medical Center in Wheeling, W.Va., and East Ohio Regional Hospital in Martins Ferry, Ohio, according to a news release.
4. Overall, officials said the affiliation will improve the availability, quality and cost-effectiveness of healthcare services, research and medical education in Belmont County, Ohio.
"I'm excited about strengthening our collaboration with Ohio State," said David Phillips, administrator and CEO at Barnesville Hospital. "The board of trustees and I understand that Barnesville Hospital has been a vital part of the community for more than 75 years. This affiliation will help preserve our facility's independence and place in the community, while tapping the vast resources of a nationally-ranked academic medical center to help us evolve with the changing healthcare landscape."
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