Nick Turkal, MD, president and CEO of Milwaukee-based Aurora Health Care, has issued a statement on the future of Aurora Sinai Medical Center, explaining that the hospital will not close despite significant financial losses.
Dr. Turkal said there will be no reductions to the hospital's emergency department and it will continue as is. However, he noted a concern on the use of the ED by non-emergent patients. Aurora Health Care is therefore considering partnerships with community-based organizations to expand urgent care services and will educate patients on the appropriate point of care for different conditions.
Aurora Sinai will also continue to invest in its programs for women's health, infant mortality reduction and teen pregnancy reduction. The cancer center and services for the elderly will also remain at the hospital.
Aurora Sinai had net losses of $20 million for 2011 and is expected to lose $30 million this year, a bleak financial state that spurred speculation about closing the hospital or converting it to an outpatient hub.
"Much of the conjecture about our plans at Aurora Sinai came from outside of our organization," Dr. Turkal said. "As you can see, we are continuing to provide core services, as we always have. Looking forward, we will continue to evaluate how these services are provided, at Aurora Sinai and elsewhere, as we always have."
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Dr. Turkal said there will be no reductions to the hospital's emergency department and it will continue as is. However, he noted a concern on the use of the ED by non-emergent patients. Aurora Health Care is therefore considering partnerships with community-based organizations to expand urgent care services and will educate patients on the appropriate point of care for different conditions.
Aurora Sinai will also continue to invest in its programs for women's health, infant mortality reduction and teen pregnancy reduction. The cancer center and services for the elderly will also remain at the hospital.
Aurora Sinai had net losses of $20 million for 2011 and is expected to lose $30 million this year, a bleak financial state that spurred speculation about closing the hospital or converting it to an outpatient hub.
"Much of the conjecture about our plans at Aurora Sinai came from outside of our organization," Dr. Turkal said. "As you can see, we are continuing to provide core services, as we always have. Looking forward, we will continue to evaluate how these services are provided, at Aurora Sinai and elsewhere, as we always have."
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