FORT SMITH — Baptist Health announced Wednesday it will be shuttering several clinics and discontinuing some in-patient services in Fort Smith.
Over the next 60 days, Baptist Health will discontinue four inpatient services and close six clinics in the Western Region, according to a news release from Troy Wells, president and CEO of Baptist Health.
Inpatient services to be discontinued include nephrology, pulmonary, oncology, and infectious disease services.
Clinics that are being shut down include Baptist Health Cardiology, Baptist Health Pediatric, Baptist Health Neurology, Baptist Health Infectious Disease, Baptist Health Renal, and Baptist Health Oncology, according to the release.
This transition will result in a workforce reduction of about 150 employees which includes 10 physicians.
“This restructuring allows the Fort Smith hospital to stop unsustainable losses and focus on high-quality delivery of these essential services,” Wells said. “We are working closely with our affected employees to provide 60 day paid severance, career transition support, and opportunities for reassignment within the Baptist Health system.”
Services that are staying include the Baptist Health emergency department, operating rooms and surgical services, medical-surgical nursing including low–acuity ICU beds, geriatric psychiatry and radiology services, according to the release.
There are no changes planned for Baptist Health-Van Buren.
Jeff Carrier has announced his departure from Baptist Health, the release states. Brandi Stewart will serve as interim president and chief nursing officer for the Western Region.
“We want to reiterate that the hospital is not closing. By stabilizing our foundation now, we stop the cycle of unsustainable losses and create a platform from which we can eventually grow and even add services back,” Wells said.
“To ensure we remain a permanent part of the River Valley, we must become smaller and stronger, prioritizing the efficient use of our existing assets and resources rather than incurring significant new levels of debt,” he said in the release. “Like many organizations we continually evaluate our services and operational needs, including volumes, to ensure we’re aligned with current conditions.”
Original source: us