Ellwood City (Pa.) Medical Center's provisional license with the Pennsylvania Department of Health has expired, and it can no longer operate, according to the Ellwood City Ledger.
The hospital was operating under a provisional license after being cited more than 40 times by the Pennsylvania Department of Health during the two years since it was acquired by Americore Health. On Nov. 27, state health officials ordered the hospital to suspend inpatient and emergency services due to serious violations, including failure to pay employees and the inability to offer surgical services. Americore, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December, shut down Ellwood City Medical Center Dec. 10.
The hospital submitted a plan Dec. 18 to state health officials to correct the deficiencies. The health department conducted an onsite inspection Jan. 3 and determined the hospital "had not shown its suitability to resume providing any health care services." The health department said the ban on services would remain in effect until the hospital properly implemented a corrective action plan.
Ellwood City Medical Center's provisional license expired Jan. 28 and has not been renewed. The hospital does not meet the minimum requirements for a provisional license and is not permitted to offer any services, a spokesperson for the health department told the Ellwood City Ledger.
The hospital could reopen if Americore resolves the deficiencies after emerging from bankruptcy or if a new owner takes over the facility.
Access the full Ellwood City Ledger article here.