Baltimore-based MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center is closing its pediatric inpatient and emergency room units, the Capital Gazette reports.
The hospital cited a 40 percent drop in pediatric admissions during the past five years as reason for the closures. Franklin Square's decision comes as Maryland continues to encourage patients to seek less expensive treatment outside of the hospital as part of its global budgeting system. MedStar said as a result, several patients are using urgent care centers and ASCs.
"There is a transformation taking place in our healthcare system nationally and locally, which translates into patients seeking treatment in lower cost, non-hospital settings," MedStar said in a statement to the Capital Gazette. "This includes our pediatric patients as well."
The downsizing also affected 20 staff members, including eight physicians and the hospital's chair of pediatrics. While some affected staff members will receive positions at Franklin Square or other MedStar facilities, an unidentified number will be laid off.
Franklin Square physicians will continue to provide outpatient pediatric surgeries; however, children requiring inpatient treatment will be transferred. Children needing emergency care will use the hospital's main ED, the report states.