Several healthcare organizations recently shuttered medical units or terminated services to shore up finances, focus on more in-demand services or improve patient care.
Here are six hospitals and health systems that have announced closures, completed closures or ceased medical services in the last month, reported by Becker's Hospital Review.
1. Massachusetts hospital to close emergency department
Lawrence Memorial Hospital of Medford (Mass.), part of MelroseWakefield Healthcare, also in Medford, it losing its emergency department.
2. Pennsylvania hospital closes maternity unit
Huntingdon, Pa.-based J.C. Blair Memorial Hospital closed its labor and delivery unit Nov. 7.
3. Rural Iowa hospital to end labor and delivery services
Iowa Falls, Iowa-based Hansen Family Hospital will end its labor and delivery services on Nov. 23, after its primary physician leaves the hospital.
4. Connecticut hospital closes hospice program
Greenwich (Conn.) Hospital is shuttering its hospice program amid low volumes and insurance barriers.
5. UMass Memorial Medical Center to end select outpatient services
Worcester-based UMass Memorial Medical Center plans to discontinue outpatient psychiatry and outpatient physical therapy services at several of its health centers in Worcester.
6. Shriners Hospitals' sole Minnesota facility to end inpatient care
Shriners Hospitals for Children-Twin Cities in Minnesota will eliminate its inpatient care by the end of the year.