Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, N.Y., and Albany (N.Y.) Medical Center have begun working toward a strategic affiliation.
The alliance would help the hospitals better coordinate clinical services, develop care integration practices and identify operational efficiencies. The governing boards, medical staffs, other employees and fundraising arms for both hospitals would remain separate under the affiliation, according to a news release. Leaders from both hospitals have identified healthcare reform as the driver of their decision to form an alliance.
"This move allows us to explore how we can work together with Albany Med to deliver better coordinated patient care and improved access to specialty services," Columbia Memorial President and CEO Jay P. Cahalan said in the release. "As the healthcare landscape changes, virtually all providers will need to build stronger alliances with industry partners to meet community healthcare needs and to achieve operational efficiencies. These formal discussions demonstrate our proactive approach to addressing the changes ahead."
The hospital boards are conducting a due diligence process to assess a possible affiliation and determine what matters need outside approval. This process is expected to take several months, according to the release.
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