New Orleans-based Ochsner Health System and Irving, Texas-based Christus Health finalized a a joint venture agreement, the systems announced Sept. 5.
Here are three things to know:
1. Under the joint venture deal, which went into effect Sept. 1, Ochsner became a minority member of Christus Health Southwestern Louisiana, which includes two hospitals, a charitable foundation, an ambulatory surgery center, imaging centers and clinics. The joint venture will also be responsible for all future healthcare operations by the two systems in the Lake Charles, La., area.
2. Christus Health will manage the hospitals — Christus Ochsner St. Patrick and Christus Ochsner Lake Area — while Ochsner will manage all physician and clinic operations. Staff at both hospitals will transition to Ochsner employment.
3. The joint venture will be jointly governed by a board of directors consisting of members from both health systems and community members.