Saint Vincent Health System in Erie, Pa., and Titusville (Pa.) Area Hospital have signed a "collaborative agreement" and will evaluate partnership options during the next three months, according to an Erie Times-News report.
Terms have not yet been outlined, and hospital executives said they are considering many possible structures. A full-scale merger is one of those options, according to the report.
Saint Vincent and Titusville will analyze the 72-bed hospital's operations before signing any definitive agreement. Titusville CEO Anthony Nasralla told the Times-News Saint Vincent "proved to be a natural partner" and could help the small hospital reverse recent financial losses. In November, the hospital had to eliminate 18 full-time equivalent positions due to lagging inpatient volumes.
This past summer, Saint Vincent officially merged into Allegheny Health Network, the integrated delivery system operated by Pittsburgh-based health insurer Highmark. Saint Vincent is one of three main branches of AHN. The others are Pittsburgh-based West Penn Allegheny Health System and Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Jefferson Hills, Pa.
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