Ascension Alexian Brothers to Close Labor and Delivery Unit Following Vote
In a significant decision, the state Health Facilities and Services Review Board voted 6-3 on October 3, 2023, to approve the closure of the inpatient obstetrics unit at Ascension Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village, Illinois. The board’s ruling came despite strong opposition from nurses and community members who voiced concerns about the potential impact on maternal health services in the area.
The hospital has yet to announce the exact date when it will cease scheduling deliveries. Ascension spokesperson Olga Solares indicated that this information would be provided shortly. Prior to the vote, the board received over 40 letters and emails from individuals and organizations opposing the closure, alongside six letters expressing support for the move.
Cook County Commissioner Kevin Morrison criticized the decision, stating, “Removing existing services will reduce accessibility to health care for hundreds of pregnant patients.” Concerns regarding patient safety were echoed by experienced nurses at the facility. Wendy Pinones, a labor and delivery nurse with 38 years of experience, warned that the closure could lead to dangerous delays in emergency situations. She noted that, “There are many instances in which either a mom or baby would have literally died, had our unit not been up and functioning.”
Conversely, State Sen. Cristina Castro expressed support for the closure, acknowledging the community’s concerns while highlighting the need for hospitals to adapt to future healthcare demands. She stated, “While I understand closure of inpatient obstetric services generates angst for women in our communities, the reality is that hospitals like Ascension Alexian Brothers and Ascension St. Alexius find themselves in the position of looking to the future.”
The decision to consolidate obstetric services follows Ascension’s announcement in July regarding the transfer of inpatient obstetric care from Alexian Brothers to Ascension St. Alexius. The hospital argued that this change would help eliminate unnecessary duplication of services between the two facilities. St. Alexius is equipped with a neonatal intensive care unit and a 24-hour obstetric emergency department, which are not available at Alexian Brothers.
According to the application submitted to the state, the low utilization of services at Alexian Brothers contributed to the decision. The facility currently has 28 obstetric beds, while St. Alexius has 38 beds, adequate to accommodate an expected average of 34 patients daily between the two hospitals. Alexian Brothers will continue to provide outpatient obstetric care and handle emergency deliveries.
This move reflects a broader trend within the healthcare sector toward establishing “centers of excellence,” which focus on specific medical specialties. Dr. David Bordo, Chief Clinical Officer for Ascension Illinois, emphasized the need for hospitals to concentrate their resources effectively. He stated, “Across healthcare, and certainly here in the Chicagoland area, the creations of centers of excellence are quickly becoming best practice.”
Many community hospitals, particularly in the Chicago area, have been closing their labor and delivery units as they face declining demand for these services. This trend is often attributed to increased competition from larger hospitals with comprehensive women’s centers. As hospitals shift their focus toward outpatient care, they are also prioritizing more profitable services.
Opposition to the closure has been voiced by various organizations, including the National Nurses Organizing Committee, which highlighted Ascension’s history of closing labor and delivery units in other states. Although the union does not represent nurses at Ascension hospitals in Illinois, its concerns reflect a broader anxiety about the implications of such closures on patient care.
As this situation unfolds, the community of Elk Grove Village and surrounding areas will be closely monitoring the implications of the closure on maternal and infant health services. The decision marks a turning point for local healthcare, emphasizing the ongoing challenges faced by community hospitals in adapting to changing healthcare landscapes.
