Emergency Services Consolidating to EASTAR Health Services; Occupational Medicine Relocating to MCH campus
July 26, 2012Emergency Services to be Consolidated to EASTAR Health Services;
Occupational Medicine to Relocate to MCH Campus
Transition is next step in solidifying a unified healthcare system for community
Officials with EASTAR Health System and Muskogee Community Hospital announced that effective July 31, all local emergency services will be consolidated to the EASTAR Health System campus. This consolidation is part of the long-term conversion of EASTAR Health Services and MCH to a unified local health system.
“This collaboration will position us to better meet the healthcare needs of Muskogee and the surrounding communities,” said Kevin Fowler, Chief Executive Officer of EASTAR Health System.
This transition will also allow for the existing emergency department at MCH to become the new home of the health system’s occupational and industrial medicine program. Patients in this program will receive care in a newly built, fully equipped space on the MCH campus.
“We are in the process of merging the strengths of both hospitals to serve the Muskogee region with enhanced quality and efficiency,” said Fowler. “The consolidation we’re announcing today will ensure that all local emergency patients have access to our Level III Trauma Center and Primary Stroke Center.”
As of July 31, all residents in need of emergency care are encouraged to visit the EASTAR Health System Emergency Room. In the event of a life-threatening emergency, residents should call 911 or go to their nearest emergency room.
A Transition Team is working alongside system administration, physicians and staff to determine which services are best suited for each facility. As this transition period continues for about 30-60 more days, the implementation of several operational changes will improve access and efficiency for our patients.
“We will continue to keep everyone informed throughout this transition process,” Fowler said. “We expect additional operational changes, which will allow us to expand access to care, enhance services, strengthen collaboration, and eventually attract new services to the community.”