Mishawaka, Ind.-based Franciscan Health plans to shut down its hospital in Chicago Heights, Ill., as it expands services at its hospital in Olympia Fields, Ill., according to The Chicago Tribune.
Here are five things to know:
1. Franciscan Health originally planned to end inpatient and emergency medical services at Franciscan Chicago Heights at the end of July, but the shutdown date has been pushed back twice as the system awaits final occupancy approval for its inpatient facility in Olympia Fields, a spokesperson told The Chicago Tribune. Franciscan said the Chicago Heights hospital is tentatively set to shut down Sept. 6.
2. In March 2016, Franciscan's restructuring plan won approval from state regulators. The plan called for closing large portions of the Chicago Heights hospital and making a multimillion-dollar investment in Olympia Fields, according to the report. Franciscan said consolidating inpatient operations at Olympia Fields would save the system up to $20 million annually.
3. Under the plan, Franciscan boosted the number of medical/surgical beds and intensive care unit beds at the Olympia Fields hospital and added physical rehabilitation and obstetrics services. The system also expanded the facility's emergency department, according to the report.
4. A Franciscan spokesperson told The Chicago Tribune the system cannot end inpatient services at the Chicago Heights hospital until it receives approval from the Illinois Department of Public Health for occupancy of its larger inpatient center in Olympia Fields. The closing date for the Chicago Heights hospital may need to be pushed back again if health officials do not give approval by Sept. 6.
5. Franciscan is planning to open a 24/7 urgent care center adjacent to the Chicago Heights hospital, and is planning an ambulatory care center about 2 miles away from the hospital, according to the report.
Read the full Chicago Tribune article here.
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