A decline in patient volume and inability to meet Medicare requirements will force Stamford (Texas) Memorial Hospital to end inpatient care and emergency room services July 9, according to an Abilene Reporter News report.
The average daily inpatient census for the hospital was 2.6 in 2007, and throughout the first half of 2018, this number dropped to 0.48. Medicare requires an average daily census of two patients.
"Inpatient hospital services cannot continue without Medicare funds," a hospital statement about the changes states. "In addition, the yearly cost to run emergency room services is $1.7 million. In order to maintain other primary healthcare services for the area, ER services will be discontinued."
The hospital still will offer a full-service health clinic, laboratory and radiology services and physical therapy. Stamford hospital officials said that they will work to integrate emergency medical services into the Stamford Hospital District and hire more highly trained staff to improve emergency care at the site.
EMS will "essentially operate as an ER on wheels," according to the hospital.
"While it is an end of an era for inpatient services at Stamford Memorial Hospital, it is our plan to continue to offer the maximum sustainable level of healthcare services possible as we make this transition," said Stamford Memorial Hospital CEO Rick DeFoore.
The inpatient care and ER service cuts will cost the community 54 jobs, according to the report.