St. Michael Medical Center's Bremerton, Wash., location, a standalone emergency and trauma center, is temporarily closing July 30 because of staffing shortages and has not provided a reopening date, according to the Kitsap Sun, citing an announcement from Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, which operates the ED.
Seattle-based Virginia Mason Franciscan Health said it is closing the ED "out of an abundance of caution for patient safety." The facility will remain closed "until staffing levels improve to a level that support safe care for patients in need of emergency care," the health system said.
The health system said patients in need of emergency care on the Kitsap Peninsula should go to the ED at St. Michael Medical Center in Silverdale, Wash., or at St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor, Wash.
St. Michael Medical Center is one of many healthcare facilities across the nation facing staffing shortages.