CATHOLIC HEALTH INITIATIVES
Saint Clare's Hospital of Sussex, N.J., plans to discontinue inpatient medical and surgical services and to focus on outpatient surgical, diagnostic and emergency care. The facility's regional parent, Saint Clare's Health System of Denville, N.J., has filed a certificate of need application for the transition with New Jersey regulators and expects that review process to be completed this month.
Leslie Hirsch, the Sussex hospital's president and chief executive, said Saint Clare's has experienced declining demand for inpatient services. The facility is licensed for more than 100 beds, but it has an average of just 12 inpatients daily.
Saint Clare's studies found that Sussex residents would not be adversely impacted by the discontinuation of inpatient care. The Saint Clare's system operates two hospitals with inpatient care within 35 miles of the Sussex campus, and there is a secular, not-for-profit medical center about 15 miles away that offers inpatient care.
A Saint Clare's spokesperson said that the hospital is doing what it can to minimize job losses among the hospital's 167 employees. Saint Clare's is offering them priority placement for open positions at other Saint Clare's system facilities. Those who have not secured a new job within the Saint Clare's system will receive severance, outplacement services and priority consideration for future employment.
Ascension Health Care Network of St. Louis is negotiating to acquire the Saint Clare's system.
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