Cabell Huntington Hospital implements operational efficiencies

Cabell Huntington Hospital (CHH), a member of Mountain Health Network (MHN), announced today that it is implementing a pair of operational efficiencies to align its resources to better manage costs in the post-pandemic economic climate.

Effective April 28, the CHH outpatient Surgery Center, located at 1201 Hal Greer Blvd., across the street from the hospital, will close. CHH will also phase out its home health services over the next 90 days. Despite efforts to make these areas viable, prolonged decreased financial performance make the closures necessary.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has left health care systems across the country with lingering operational challenges that require they reexamine the way they deliver care,” said Tim Martin, Chief Operating Officer, CHH. “Both home health and the surgery center have had declining patient volumes over the past few years and these steps are being taken only after numerous attempts to reverse that downward trend. While this decision is difficult, our resolve for highly reliable care includes excellence in operations and continuous improvement for the patients and communities we serve.”

Planning is currently underway for the orderly closure of both services. Surgeries previously performed at the CHH Surgery Center will be scheduled at the operating rooms at CHH and St. Mary’s Medical Center, or Three Gables Surgery Center in Proctorville. CHH will no longer accept new home health patients but will assist with referrals to other home health providers within the region. CHH will continue to serve existing patients through June 10 and will connect any who require longer-term home health care with other area providers.

CHH Human Resources will work with all 78 staff members, across both departments, to transition to one of the hospital’s more than 200 open positions.

For more information about CHH, visit www.cabellhuntington.org.