Alliance (Ohio) Community Hospital will now shutter its obstetrics unit May 20, more than a month ahead of its planned July 1 closure.
The hospital originally planned to close in July to give families ample time to make arrangements elsewhere if they had planned to deliver at Alliance. However, a shortage of nurses has forced the hospital to expedite the closure. When the plans to close the unit were announced in March, several nurses found jobs elsewhere, the hospital said.
"We will continue to work with our local doctors and their patients to assure a smooth transition," CEO Stan Jonas said in a press release. "But with patient safety as our top priority, we need to close the unit by Friday May 20."
Patients will still be able to receive OB/GYN services at the hospital, including prenatal and post-partum care, and the hospital will provide transportation to Canton, Ohio, for deliveries.
More articles on workforce:
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta seeks to hire more nurses
Dignity Health's CNEO celebrates nurses
Union: Stop Memorial Hospital cuts in light of planned merger