Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems closed two Tennessee hospitals Dec. 28, and St. Louis-based Mercy shut down a hospital in Kansas Dec. 31.
Here are six things to know:
Tennessee hospital closures
1. Knoxville, Tenn.-based Tennova Healthcare, part of CHS, shut down Physicians Regional Medical Center in Knoxville and Lakeway Regional Hospital in Morristown, Tenn., on Dec. 28.
2. Tennova, which announced plans in October to shut down the two facilities, provided an update on the closures Dec. 27.
"We have been working very closely with our medical staff, local EMS/first responders and other area providers to ensure a smooth transition of care for our patients," Tony Benton, CEO of Tennova Healthcare in East Tennessee, said in a press release. "Our teams across the region have done exceptional work caring for our patients, their families and each other while we have undergone construction, moved services and transitioned to different work sites."
3. Although Tennova closed two hospitals, it plans to enhance services at its other Tennessee hospitals. The system also said it is pursuing opportunities to develop new outpatient care sites in the state.
Kansas hospital closure
4. Mercy announced plans in October to shut down its hospital in Fort Scott, Kan. The system closed the hospital Dec. 31.
5. Mercy cited declining patient volume and shrinking reimbursement as the reasons for the closure of the 46-bed hospital.
6. Mercy said all current primary care physicians at Mercy Clinic Fort Scott have agreed to continue practicing in the area with Pittsburg, Kan.-based Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas. CHC will take over Mercy's clinics in the area in early 2019, according to Fort Scott Biz.
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