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Future of Doctors Hospital unknown as programs move to nearby Massillon campus
By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer
Published on Wednesday, Jan 30, 2008
Affinity Medical Center announced plans Tuesday to consolidate all inpatient and outpatient services from the former Doctors Hospital in Perry Township to its nearby Massillon campus by mid-year.
The decision came after a thorough review of the best way to boost efficiency and serve patients in western Stark County, Affinity spokeswoman Susan Koosh said.
''The consolidation plan is designed with an emphasis on providing better efficiencies for our staff and physicians so they can focus their attention on providing exceptional patient care at one location,'' Affinity Interim Chief Executive Barry Michael said in a prepared statement.
Affinity officials still are determining the fate of the Doctors campus emergency department and future
uses for the hospital building.
''The goal is to consolidate services to the Massillon campus,'' Koosh said. ''But certainly we are exploring various options for the Doctors campus.''
Until at least mid-year, the former Doctors and Massillon Community hospitals will maintain current services. Patients can call 877-837-7575 for more information.
No decision on staffing
Affinity's two campuses employ a total of 927 people. No decisions have been made about staffing after the consolidation, Koosh said.
Affinity Medical Center was formed in February 2006 through a joint venture by Massillon Community Hospital's owner, Akron General Health System and Doctors Hospital's former owner, for-profit Triad Hospitals Inc.
Triad since has been acquired by another for-profit hospital chain, Community Health Systems Inc., which became the majority owner of Affinity as a result of the deal.
Late last year, Community sold Barberton Hospital — its only other Ohio facility — to Summa Health System.
No plans have been announced by the hospital chain to divest its stake in Affinity, Koosh said.
Affinity started its consolidation process last year by dividing services between the former Massillon Community and Doctors hospitals, which are less than three miles apart.
Since June, the Doctors campus has been Affinity's general hospital and the Massillon campus has been dedicated to specialized care, including skilled nursing, inpatient rehabilitation, inpatient geriatric psychology for older adults, outpatient surgical procedures and diagnostic and support services.
That division of services was a ''short-term service model'' while Affinity leaders studied the best long-term options, Koosh said. The studies, including architectural reviews of the facilities, led to the decision to move services to Massillon.
The merger deal between Massillon Community and Doctors hospitals also requires some medical services to remain on the Massillon campus until at least 2011.
Massillon mayor pleased
Massillon Mayor Francis Cicchinelli Jr. said he's glad the community will once again be home to a full-service hospital.
''We think that when you talk about quality-of-life issues that attract businesses and industry to your community, one of the questions that always comes up is: 'Do you have excellent medical services to serve the new companies that come in and the employees who work there?' '' he said.
Renovations will take place during the coming months to accommodate the services and equipment that are moving from the Doctors campus, Koosh said.
The Massillon campus also gives Affinity room for future expansion projects, she said.
When the two rival hospitals merged, both were losing money and facing stiff competition from Aultman Hospital and Mercy Medical Center in Canton.
''We're focused on the future,'' Koosh said. ''With our consolidation to the Massillon campus, we are looking forward to that future growth.''
City leaders plan to work with Affinity to support expansion projects on the Massillon campus, possibly by offering tax incentives, Cicchinelli said.
''We have to grow our community hospital,'' he said. ''This has to be a successful business venture. You do that by utilizing the services that this hospital provides.
''We need to get that word out that people need to utilize the services provided by Affinity here in Massillon,'' he said. ''They need to recapture some of that market share that they have lost throughout the years.''
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Affinity Medical Center announced plans Tuesday to consolidate all inpatient and outpatient services from the former Doctors Hospital in Perry Township to its nearby Massillon campus by mid-year.
Get the full article here.
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