Lansing, Mich.-based Sparrow Health System leaders said their plan to close the emergency department at its St. Lawrence campus is part of an effort to adapt to patients' changing needs and busy schedules, reports the Lansing State Journal.
Sparrow announced plans Feb. 1 to close the 16-bed ED and transition all emergency services to its main campus two miles away in May 2018. The hospital said the transition and closure would eliminate duplicate services in the area.
The closure will also allow the hospital to focus on other options for emergency care treatments such as urgent care to address patient needs, according to Sparrow's president and CEO Dennis Swan,
"Really this is about responding to patient needs more than anything else," said Mr. Swan.
To ease the transition, Sparrow will open a 10-bed urgent care center at its flagship facility and will add 11 treatment areas to its 62-bed ED.