Henderson, Ky.-based Methodist Hospital's board of directors agreed to pursue a long-term affiliation with Deaconess Health System, a six-hospital system in Evansville, Ind., July 27, according to The Gleaner.
In a letter to hospital employees July 27, Methodist Hospital President and CEO Benny Nolen said members of both organizations will "conduct a review of services and processes with [the] goal of identifying the best way to provide high-quality, safe and financially sound patient care across the continuum."
He also specified the affiliation "is not the same thing as a buy-out, merger or acquisition," the report states.
The final affiliation plan must be approved by officials from both hospitals' boards of directors. However, the organizations are still "several months" away from creating a final agreement, according to the report.
A spokesperson for Deaconess Health System told The Gleaner "it is far too early to tell" if staffing cuts will take place at either health system during or after the affiliation.
"That's not the goal. The goal is to use all the resources we have right now to do the best job we can," the spokesperson said.
Mr. Nolan previously stated he received an initial affiliation proposal from Deaconess Health System in June.