Adventist Health closes Walla Walla General Hospital under strain of mounting financial issues
System cited increasing financial challenges, had invested $68 million in recent years in hopes of securing its future.
After more than 100 years in operation, Adventist Health's Walla Walla General Hospital in eastern Washington closed Monday, the system announced on their website.They also closed their Adventist Home Healthcare related services, and their clinics.
Patients needing emergency care will have access at Providence St. Mary Medical Center, and they said many of their physicians will stay local and are in the process of informing patients of on how and where they will continue to provide care, the system said.
"We respect the legacy of this hospital, its place in the heart of our community, and the investments we have all made to sustain it for more than a century. Unfortunately, the current volatile healthcare environment, legislative challenges, and consistent low inpatient census have created an unsustainable future for Walla Walla General Hospital," the system said in a statement.
[Also: Adventist Health System names Terry Shaw new president/CEO]
About a month ago, Adventist announced they had halted plans to transfer control of the hospital's services to Providence Health and Services due to "unexpected regulatory challenges" and would instead be closing the facility/
The system said they have faced increasing financial challenges, and had invested $68 million in recent years in Walla Walla General Hospital in the hopes of providing a "sustainable model" for the hospital's future, including facility upgrades, exploring new services, and seeking out other partners and alliances that would help make the hospital financially viable.
Twitter: @BethJSanborn
