From reimbursement landscape challenges to dwindling inpatient volumes, many factors lead hospitals to close.
Here are five hospitals that have closed since September, beginning with the most recent.
1. Pacific Alliance Medical Center in Los Angeles, which provided care for more than 150 years, closed Nov. 30. A California Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice dated Oct. 9 indicated all 638 of the hospital's employees would be laid off when the hospital shut down. The hospital confirmed that number in its closure announcement.
2. East Houston Regional Medical Center closed Nov. 9 after suffering extensive water damage caused by Hurricane Harvey in August.
3. Tulare (Calif.) Regional Medical Center closed Oct. 29. The hospital ousted its management company and is seeking investors to reopen.
4. Copper Basin Medical Center, a critical access hospital in Copperhill, Tenn., closed Oct. 1. After months of financial troubles, Copper Basin Medical Center suspended inpatient services May 9, and officials launched a GoFundMe page to help keep the hospital afloat. The hospital shut down after falling about 94 percent short of its $100,000 goal.
5. Pioneer Community Hospital of Patrick in Stuart, Va., closed in phases. The facility closed its emergency department Sept. 13 and began diverting ambulances to other facilities. The hospital continued to provide care to acute care patients until they were stable for discharge or transfer. The hospital offered outpatient care until Sept. 15, when it ceased all services.
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