St. Joseph’s Hospital to Begin Reducing Pediatric Trauma Coverage
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center will transition away from providing pediatric inpatient services and most pediatric outpatient programs, starting May 22, 2011. This transition will be completed on June 1, 2011 when inpatient pediatric units will close permanently at St. Joseph’s Hospital. In addition, most pediatric physician subspecialists and other pediatric staff will transition employment from CHW/St. Joseph’s Hospital to Phoenix Children’s Hospital by June 1.
After May 31, 2011, St. Joseph’s Hospital will have severely reduced capability to provide emergency services to pediatric patients (patients under 15 years of age) and no pediatric inpatient capacity. The Emergency Department and Level I Trauma Center will continue to operate as always, and accept any patients (adult or pediatric) seeking emergency services. Due to the severe reduction in capability and capacity for pediatric services at St. Joseph’s Hospital after May 31, 2011, pediatric patients that present for emergency services will be evaluated, stabilized to the extent possible, and then transferred to Phoenix Children’s Hospital or another appropriate facility.
EMS providers should strongly consider whether it is advantageous to transport emergency/trauma pediatric patients to St. Joseph’s Hospital beginning May 22, 2011, or whether the pediatric patient would be better served being transported to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which offers a full service pediatric emergency center as well as a verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Center. Other hospitals seeking to transfer their pediatric patients to a higher level of care facility should expect St. Joseph’s Hospital will decline pediatric transfers because of a lack of pediatric capacity and capability after May 31, 2011.
Starting Sunday, May 22nd:
· St. Joseph’s begins reducing pediatric specialists and pediatric trauma coverage. EMS providers should consider transporting their trauma/emergency pediatric patients (under age 15) to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which offers a full service pediatric emergency center as well as a verified Level I Pediatric Trauma Center.
· St. Joseph’s Level I Trauma Center and Emergency Department will remain open and continue to accept all patients who present seeking emergency services.
· St. Joseph’s will continue to serve all patients age 15 and older.
Starting Wednesday, June 1st:
· St. Joseph’s closes pediatric inpatient units. Virtually no pediatric subspecialists will be employed.
· EMS providers should consider transporting their trauma/emergency pediatric patients (under age 15) to a full service pediatric trauma/emergency center such as Phoenix Children’s Hospital, if appropriate.
· Hospitals seeking to transfer their pediatric patients to a higher level of care facility should contact Phoenix Children’s Hospital, not St. Joseph’s Hospital.
· St. Joseph’s Trauma Center and Emergency Department will remain open and continue to accept all patients who arrive seeking emergency services. All pediatric emergency patients under age 15 will be transferred to another provider after proper evaluation and stabilization, as appropriate.
· St. Joseph’s will continue to serve all patients ages 15 and older.
Media Contact:
Jane Walton
602-546-5871
