Maternity care at St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul will end Sept. 10, HealthEast announced July 25.
HealthEast cited the reason as “more patients choosing to have their babies at other facilities, including HealthEast St. John’s and Woodwinds hospitals” in a July 25 press release. John Kvasnicka, HealthEast vice president for medical affairs, said the market projections indicated the trend. He also said that St. Joseph’s Hospital, founded in 1853 by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, has seen a “steady decline of maternity patients” without “projected improvement” ahead.
“Our St. Joseph’s maternity team has had a longstanding commitment to exceptional patient care, and we thank them for establishing that good reputation,” said Deb Hurd, HealthEast vice president and chief nursing officer. “Our maternity care centers depend on consistent patient volumes to operate effectively and efficiently and maintain the best care experience for our patients and families.”
A team will work on transferring St. Joseph’s maternity care services to other HealthEast hospitals.
The health system’s resources expanded March 8 in a merger with Fairview Health Services.
