SLCH Seeks to Consolidate Emergency Services
Hospital
Newburgh, NY – St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital (SLCH) has submitted a request to the New York State Department of Health to reduce the hours of operation of its Emergency Department at the Cornwall campus to 12 hours per day. The hospital’s Board of Trustees has passed a resolution supporting efforts to further consolidate operations at the two campuses.
The consolidation is one of many steps taken to ensure the fiscal viability of the health system while continuing to serve the 250,000+ residents of the service area. This consolidation plan will allow SLCH to maintain 24/7 emergency care to the region while lowering the overall cost of care.
Like many hospitals across New York State, SLCH has sustained operating losses for 7 years. SLCH’s Newburgh campus will continue to provide 24-hour Emergency Department services 5.5 miles north of the Cornwall campus at its Newburgh campus.
“St. Luke’s Cornwall is committed to providing the highest quality care at the most reasonable expense.” said President, Robert S. Ross. “Health care delivery is evolving and SLCH will continue to develop creative approaches to achieve our mission of providing care for our community.” This year the Cornwall ED has seen patient visits decrease while the Newburgh campus volume has increased. Over the past 18 months, only 600 patients have received Emergency Department services at the Cornwall campus between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.; less than one per hour. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. patients will be safely and efficiently handled at the Newburgh campus.
Additionally, SLCH will provide EMS personnel on standby from the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., ensuring that anyone arriving at the Cornwall campus is safely transported to the Newburgh campus.
“Reducing the hours at the Cornwall ED is just one of many creative initiatives undertaken by our leadership to provide excellent healthcare while seeking financial viability, and ensuring the needs of the community are met” said Dr. Scot Hill, Medical Director of Emergency Services. The SLCH Emergency Department (Newburgh campus) serves more than 60,000 patients per year and is one of the busiest Emergency Departments between Albany, NY and Westchester County, NY. SLCH’s Newburgh campus is currently applying to New York State for a Level III Trauma Center designation.
The consolidation is one of many steps taken to ensure the fiscal viability of the health system while continuing to serve the 250,000+ residents of the service area. This consolidation plan will allow SLCH to maintain 24/7 emergency care to the region while lowering the overall cost of care.
Like many hospitals across New York State, SLCH has sustained operating losses for 7 years. SLCH’s Newburgh campus will continue to provide 24-hour Emergency Department services 5.5 miles north of the Cornwall campus at its Newburgh campus.
“St. Luke’s Cornwall is committed to providing the highest quality care at the most reasonable expense.” said President, Robert S. Ross. “Health care delivery is evolving and SLCH will continue to develop creative approaches to achieve our mission of providing care for our community.” This year the Cornwall ED has seen patient visits decrease while the Newburgh campus volume has increased. Over the past 18 months, only 600 patients have received Emergency Department services at the Cornwall campus between the hours of 10 p.m. and 10 a.m.; less than one per hour. During the hours of 10 p.m. to 10 a.m. patients will be safely and efficiently handled at the Newburgh campus.
Additionally, SLCH will provide EMS personnel on standby from the hours of 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., ensuring that anyone arriving at the Cornwall campus is safely transported to the Newburgh campus.
“Reducing the hours at the Cornwall ED is just one of many creative initiatives undertaken by our leadership to provide excellent healthcare while seeking financial viability, and ensuring the needs of the community are met” said Dr. Scot Hill, Medical Director of Emergency Services. The SLCH Emergency Department (Newburgh campus) serves more than 60,000 patients per year and is one of the busiest Emergency Departments between Albany, NY and Westchester County, NY. SLCH’s Newburgh campus is currently applying to New York State for a Level III Trauma Center designation.
