Carroll, Iowa-based St. Anthony Regional Hospital is pursuing critical access status with CMS to help reduce its financial vulnerability, local news outlet 1380KCIM reported May 10.
When its application is approved, the hospital will be required to limit acute care patient beds to 25 or fewer and maintain an average length of stay of 96 hours or less.
"Healthcare facilities across the country are facing significant financial obstacles, and St. Anthony is feeling those same pressures," St. Anthony Regional CFO Eric Salmonson told the news outlet. "A Critical Access Hospital Designation would reduce financial vulnerability and allow St. Anthony to continue to be responsive to the healthcare needs of the region we serve."