Lakewood Hospital to close, convert to ambulatory center

Photo from cleveland.com.

Lakewood Hospital Association said it will replace its Lakewood Hospital with a new ambulatory and emergency clinic under a public-private partnership with the city of Cleveland and the Cleveland Clinic. The project will cost more than $120 million.

The new outpatient facility reflects changes in the way healthcare is delivered, Cleveland Clinic CEO Toby Cosgrove said in a statement.

“Healthcare in America is in the midst of an unprecedented transformation and the way care is delivered to patients is rapidly shifting from inpatient hospital care to outpatient and home care,” Cosgrove said.

Tom Gable, president of the Lakewood Hospital Association, agreed.

“The old model is no longer sustainable in this changing healthcare environment,” he said.

The aging hospital’s facilities and the drop in patient volume at Lakewood also factored into the decision to end its tenure as a hospital.

Cleveland Clinic, which manages Lakewood Hospital, plans to build the estimated $34 million, 62,000-square-foot family health center, including a full-service emergency department.

More than $32 million would also be invested to fund a community-based foundation to oversee and support community health and wellness activities in the City of Lakewood and throughout the primary and secondary service markets.

The proposal requires approval by Lakewood City Council.

The City of Lakewood and Cleveland Clinic, under the direction of the Lakewood Hospital Association Board, has been in partnership 18 years.

The city would maintain ownership of approximately four acres of property on the hospital site, along with the parking garage and office buildings.

Mayor Mike Summers said the new facility would be an important asset to the city’s continued revitalization.

“This is good news for our community and a great first step in transforming the healthcare services available in our city,” Summers said in the release. “The Lakewood Hospital Association trustees have been very proactive about addressing this issue, working with consultants and healthcare providers to find a solution that will keep quality healthcare in Lakewood.”

Lakewood Hospital Association trustees worked with consultants and conducted request for proposals from healthcare providers both nationally and locally.

Stakeholders asked for access to preventive care; an environment that is supportive of healthy habits; physicians that are readily available to residents; and services to promote residents’ awareness about healthy living.

The proposed new facility includes primary care and specialty programs concentrated on diabetes, geriatrics and cardiac care, among others, in addition to radiology and lab services.
Additional services are to be determined based on the needs of the community and a public discussion to be scheduled in the coming weeks.

Lakewood Hospital would be kept open and running until the new Avon Hospital opens nearby, Lakewood Hospital employees were told they would keep their jobs.

Twitter: @SusanMorseHFN