Mahnomen (Minn.) Health Center has submitted plans to the state department of health to transition it to the state's first rural emergency hospital.
Mahnomen Health comprises a 32-bed skilled nursing facility, a 10-bed critical access hospital and five emergency bays.
The inpatient census for the hospital is currently 0.5 patients per day, Dale Kruger, CEO of Mahnomen Health Center, said in a statement shared with Becker's.
"Transitioning to the Rural Emergency Hospital designation is an innovative win-win approach that will provide a positive $1.5 million impact on our community," Mr. Kruger said.
Should the facility transition to a rural emergency hospital, it would not have inpatient services or swing beds, according to an April 17 Minnesota Department of Health news release.
The hospital would still operate its five-bay emergency room, which includes two trauma bays; keep patients in observation beds for 24 hours if necessary; and continue providing outpatient services.
The transition would not impact the hospital's workforce, Mr. Kruger said.
The hospital is owned by Mahnomen County and the city government. It has a management agreement with Sioux Falls, S.D..-based Sanford Health.
A public hearing is set for April 30 to discuss the transition.