WARREN, Mich. – Henry Ford Health System announced Tuesday that it will close its Warren hospital on March 31 with the intent to convert the facility, with a partner, into a Midwest destination site for advanced inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services.
HFHS said it was pursuing plans to work with a nationally recognized organization in this specialty and that a request for proposal will be issued to rehabilitation organizations next month.
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The new rehabilitation center could open within the next year to 18 months at the Warren hospital.
The health system said that although it had remained financially strong, the Warren hospital had lost more than $70 million over the last five years. Market share during this period has been between 4 and 6 percent, with inpatient occupancy rates consistently averaging below 50 percent at the 203-bed hospital.
Return on investment has been negatively impacted by the economic climate in southeast Michigan, declining reimbursement and uncompensated care. The decision was also based on the availability of other hospitals in the market area, and Henry Ford Health System's commitment to both financial stewardship and appropriate patient access throughout southeast Michigan.
Recognizing the impact the decision will have on patients, community members, employees and physicians, Henry Ford Health System will:
- Notify existing and former patients of the availability of health resources within the System and community, of medical records access and of care transition plans.
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Place as many of the approximately 700 full- and part-time hospital employees into open positions within Henry Ford Health System facilities, and provide financial and job placement support to those not reassigned.
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Continue to offer a wide range of primary care, specialty and community outreach services in the Warren area through our physician offices and medical centers.
- Encourage patients and others in the community who have questions or comments to visit HenryFordMacomb.com/WarrenPatients, or call 800-532-2411.
"Henry Ford is committed to transferring as many affected employees as possible into open positions," says Bob Riney, president and COO of Henry Ford Health System. "Hiring external candidates has been put on hold, and the Warren staff will be given top priority for transferring into the 800+ open positions within Henry Ford. We expect to successfully place the majority of our employees."
Henry Ford Macomb Hospital – Warren opened in 1966 as Bi-County Community Hospital.