Chesterfield, Mo.-based Mercy health system has announced it will close Mercy Hospital Independence (Kan.) next month, according to a KTUL report.
The hospital's inpatient services, emergency department and ambulatory surgery services will close on Oct. 10. Some outpatient and clinic services will remain open past that date, but are expected to close no later than Dec. 31, according to the report.
Mercy decided to close the hospital after exploring multiple options for the facility over the past 18 months. Declining populations and utilization patterns, challenges recruiting and keeping physicians, increasing capital improvement needs and shrinking reimbursement were all cited as factors in the decision, according to the report.
"This was not the outcome we had sought or expected at the beginning of the discernment process, and our hearts are heavy," said Lynn Britton, Mercy president and CEO.
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