ELKINS — Vandalia Health Davis Medical Center plans to transition from an acute care hospital to a Critical Access Hospital, a designation the system says will strengthen long-term financial sustainability while preserving the services local patients rely on — including obstetric labor and delivery care.
Critical Access Hospitals are rural facilities designated by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to maintain access to health care in underserved areas. Like acute care hospitals, they provide inpatient care and 24/7 emergency services, but they operate with no more than 25 inpatient beds, an average patient stay of 96 hours or less, and an additional nine observation beds. Davis Medical Center’s average daily census is 28 patients.
“This transition allows us to align with national trends in rural health care while preserving the services our community depends on,” said Diana Landsverk, RN, BSN, MBA, chief nursing officer for Davis Medical Center. “Importantly, Davis Medical Center will continue to provide labor and delivery services.”
The Critical Access Hospital designation provides enhanced reimbursement that helps rural hospitals stay financially viable. Vandalia Health said the change will also support continued growth in outpatient services, including clinics and surgical care, while maintaining appropriate inpatient and observation capacity.
More than 1,300 Critical Access Hospitals operate nationwide, including 21 in West Virginia. Vandalia Health already runs several of them across the state. The Charleston-based health system has applied to state and federal regulators following a feasibility analysis, and the approval process — which requires multiple certifications — is expected to take about 12 months.
Hospital leaders said the transition will not reduce services.
“All existing specialty services will remain in place, and patients will continue to receive the same quality care they expect from Davis Medical Center,” said Jeff Goode, executive vice president of Vandalia Health. “This includes outpatient clinics, walk-in care, primary care — and continued access to OB labor and delivery services.”
Employees will remain a priority throughout the transition. Some roles may evolve as inpatient services are adjusted and outpatient services expand, but leaders expect new opportunities for staff within the organization. Vandalia Health has invested more than $50 million in Davis Medical Center over the past two years and plans continued investment, particularly in expanding outpatient services across the region.
Separately, and unrelated to the Critical Access Hospital transition, Davis Medical Center will close its home health program. The hospital said the move will allow it to focus on hospital, primary and specialty care. In the counties where DMC currently provides home health services, the hospital is working with other providers to transition patients without disrupting their care, and human resources is helping affected employees find other opportunities within the system.
More information is available at VandaliaHealth.org.
