Everett, Pa.-based UPMC Bedford Memorial will no longer offer inpatient dialysis services beginning later in October, according to the Altoona Mirror.
"Inpatient dialysis is a treatment that not every hospital provides. UPMC Bedford Memorial has always used an outside provider for inpatient dialysis treatments. The only inpatient dialysis contractor in Bedford County has informed the hospital that they will no longer provide the inpatient treatments beginning Oct. 29," UPMC Public Relations Senior Director Susan Manko told Becker's Hospital Review via email.
In discussing the decision, Ms. Manko pointed to the low number of inpatients requiring dialysis — only five patients within the past six months.
She said inpatients requiring dialysis will be admitted to UPMC Altoona (Pa.) or another nearby hospital offering inpatient dialysis services.
"This will have no impact on the accessibility of outpatient dialysis treatments available locally. Patients will continue to receive outpatient dialysis treatments in Bedford County," Ms. Manko added.
The decision marks the second recent announcement regarding the elimination of services. Last month, the hospital revealed plans to centralize childbirth delivery services to UPMC Altoona Dec. 1. UPMC Bedford Memorial said the decision "is necessary to continue our quality care, physician skill retention, and future recruitment of new OB specialists to best meet the needs of all the communities UPMC serves." UPMC Bedford Memorial will still offer other gynecology services, such as women's specialty care, parental care, childbirth classes, postnatal care and gynecological surgeries.