St. Louis-based Mercy will close its hospital El Reno, Okla., within the next six months and plans to replace it with an outpatient facility, according to The Oklahoman.
Here are three things to know:
1. Mercy is ending its lease of the hospital due to dwindling inpatient volumes, which have caused financial losses, according to News 9.
2. The new outpatient facility will offer a variety of services, including primary care, imaging, lab testing and urgent care. The outpatient facility will have a helipad for emergency medical flights.
3. After the hospital shuts down, Mercy will continue to operate the ambulance service. Some patients will be taken to the nearest emergency room, which is about 10 miles away, and those who need a higher level of care may be taken to Mercy's hospital in Oklahoma City, according to The Oklahoman.
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