Ashland hospital expanding as part of strategic plan
The facility will retain its acute care operations but will make a number of investments, including in inpatient services.
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Ashland Community Hospital in Medford, Oregon is expanding its emergency department and surgical services as part of a new strategic plan that's meant to facilitate the hospital's long-term sustainability.
The facility will retain its acute care operations and adjusting service lines, but will make a number of investments, including in inpatient services. According to the hospital, lower-acuity cases are forecasted to grow in the region, so the goal is to treat more shorter-stay cases that don't require the more complex capabilities of nearby Rogue Regional Medical Center.
Ashland Community Hospital and Rogue Regional are both owned by Asante, a locally-owned and governed not-for-profit health system serving people in Southern Oregon and Northern California.
WHAT'S THE IMPACT?
Among its other priorities, Ashland said it plans to invest in outpatient surgical services. The goal is to introduce new surgical specialties, recruit additional surgeons and invest in equipment to deliver high-touch capabilities and expand local access.
Calling its emergency department a "critical front line," Ashland said it plans to maintain its current expertise, but will provide seamless transitions to other Asante facilities with tertiary capabilities.
An important goal for the hospital is to grow its volumes in the Family Birth Center, which it said is critical to the center's long-term success. To achieve this growth, Asante plans to recruit a board-certified OB GYN to lead the center, and will make updates to the physical environment.
The hospital will also invest in technology and operations to provide faster access to outpatient diagnostic services, it said.
Ashland CEO Brandon Mencini said it's important to "preserve the legacy" of the hospital.
"Our overall vision as we go forward is we're providing focused in-patient and surgical care with accessible emergency and diagnostic services," said Mencini. "It will be important that we not only serve our population, but also inclusively serve patients of all ages."
THE LARGER TREND
This week, Fitch Ratings revised its outlook on not-for-profit hospitals from deteriorating to neutral, citing improved operating margins following a tough three years of compression. In particular, the escalation of labor expenses has slowed somewhat along with an ease in inflationary pressures.
Hospitals' balance sheets have seen improving operating cash flows and strong equity market returns, Fitch said.
Jeff Lagasse is editor of Healthcare Finance News.
Email: jlagasse@himss.org
Healthcare Finance News is a HIMSS Media publication.
