A Philadelphia Common Pleas judge granted part of a preliminary injunction request sought by the city to stop Hahnemann University Hospital from closing, but the Philadelphia hospital plans to continue scaling back services this week.
Judge Nina Padilla granted the injunction, which stops Hahnemann's owners from shutting down the hospital without a closure plan authorized by the Philadelphia health commissioner. The injunction specifically prohibits Hahnemann's owners "from closing, ceasing operations, or in any way further reducing or disrupting services" at the hospital's emergency room until the health commissioner signs off on the closure plan, according to KYW Newsradio.
Hahnemann is diverting high-level trauma cases, but the hospital's ER will remain open to treat patients with minor health issues, Marcel Pratt, city solicitor of Philadelphia, told KYW Newsradio.
Although the ER will remain open, Hahnemann plans to scale back other services this week. The hospital said it will stop all nonemergency surgeries and procedures, including child deliveries, on July 12, according to CBS Philly.
Philadelphia Academic Health System, which entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy June 30, plans to close Hahnemann University Hospital by Sept. 6.
More articles on healthcare finance:
Florida hospital will keep Medicare contract after investigation into sex abuse
Physician viewpoint: Nonprofit hospitals' charity care totals based on 'creative accounting'
Methodist Le Bonheur suspends debt collection suits amid backlash