Scripps Well being in Chula Vista closing maternity ward resulting from affected person mattress demand

CHULA VISTA, Calif. (KGTV) — Scripps Mercy Hospital in Chula Vista is closing its maternity ward to make extra beds obtainable for sufferers needing emergency care, surgical procedures and different companies.

In accordance with an announcement despatched to ABC 10News, Scripps Well being is consolidating its being pregnant, childbirth and postpartum companies to its San Diego campus positioned in Hillcrest because the Chula Vista hospital sees a continued rise in emergency room visits and demand for beds for surgical procedure sufferers.

Scripps Well being says inpatient medical-surgical beds in Chula Vista are “at the moment occupied at or past full licensed capability,” whereas on a typical day, solely half of the beds within the maternity ward are in use.

The hospital says using the maternity ward house for broader companies will “considerably lower lengthy wait occasions” for ER and surgical sufferers. Moreover, it is going to enable the hospital to develop cardiac care and different critically wanted companies.

“As a group well being care supplier, our objective at Scripps Well being is to ship high-quality well being care companies that finest meet the wants of the communities we serve,” the hospital’s assertion says. “Right this moment at Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista, we’d like extra beds for adults and seniors who’re coming to us for emergency care, surgical procedures, cardiac care, and different companies, and we anticipate that have to proceed.”

Scripps Well being additionally says the Rady Kids’s NICU at its Chula Vista location may even transfer to the Scripps San Diego hospital.

The transfer impacts 135 workers jobs, and the change will not occur for a minimum of 90 days. The hospital system is describing the change of companies in Chula Vista as a “transfer” or “consolidation” versus a “closure.”

Healthcare employees could have the chance to fill different jobs at Scripps Well being throughout the area.