Cleveland - The COVID-19 pandemic is requiring University Hospitals leaders to carefully evaluate and align system-wide programs and services to meet evolving patient care needs.
Following a thorough assessment, they have elected to temporarily suspend operations for the freestanding emergency departments at UH Andover and UH North Ridgeville health centers, effective 7 a.m. Saturday, April 11th.
Patients receiving emergency treatment at that time will remain in the department until their care is complete and are discharged to home or another care location. Other ambulatory services will remain open as aligned with UH’s COVID-19 response.
The decision to consolidate UH ambulatory operations was made to:
- Re-assign clinical and nonclinical staff to apply their skills at COVID-19 surge locations
- Optimize resources by re-allocating PPE, ventilators and supplies across the system
- Re-align UH capacities due to lower ED volumes and declining EMS traffic since Gov. DeWine’s stay-at-home order
UH Ambulatory Operations leaders are notifying community leaders and first responders in and around Andover and North Ridgeville so they are aware of these changes.
Prominent signage will encourage patients to seek care at alternative emergency departments in Ashtabula, Geauga, Lorain and western Cuyahoga counties.
As the COVID-19 pandemic progresses, UH says it will assess and adjust as necessary to provide for the optimal health of patients, caregivers and the community.
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