WASHINGTON -- An eleventh hour change will keep Northeast Washington's only emergency room open. Providence Hospital was slated to stop taking patients at midnight Friday. But, The District of Columbia Hospital Association says the Providence Hospital’s emergency department will remain open until April 30, 2019.
"It's good for the short term," said DC Councilman Vincent Grey, who chairs the healthcare committee. After St. Louis based health group Ascension announced it would “transition out of providing acute care services” at Providence, Grey hoped to block the closure.
D.C. Fire and EMS spokesman Doug Buchanan said that a city-wide radio announcement went out Friday afternoon saying that Providence would continue accepting the city’s ambulances.
The hospital will maintain 10 to 15 inpatient beds to support emergency services, said Justin Palmer of The District of Columbia Hospital Association, but those with serious trauma will go to other nearby hospitals.
In a statement dated August 30, the company said it assessed Providence against other hospitals in the area. “The data show that the supply of hospital beds in the District is more than twice the national average and community need for acute care services is generally met,” said the statement.
Ascension has not responded to new requests for comment. Palmer said specifics about what services the hospital will provide will be announced soon.
