CLARION, Pa. (EYT) — Allegheny Health Network Emergency Medicine Management began providing Clarion Hospital with physician staffing for the Clarion Hospital Emergency Department effective March 1.

UPMC previously provided Clarion Hospital with physician staffing for many years.
         
“Clarion Hospital is committed to providing quality care to our patients by continually evaluating our internal process and making the necessary changes to improve outcomes and overall patient satisfaction.” said Byron Quinton, CEO.

Julie Kunselman, Clarion Hospital Director of Marketing and Physician Recruitment, was asked how will the change in ER doctors affect consumers or patients and why the change was made?  No answer was received as of press time for this article on Monday at 5:00 p.m.

Other questions asked if there would be any impact on insurances and if rates would change. Also asked was if the growing partnership with Allegheny was a sign of additional future partnerships with the health network.

Allegheny Health Network Emergency Medicine Management partners with US Acute Care Solutions, a national leader in emergency medicine with over 3,000 clinicians, more than 160 sites in 21 states, and nearly six million patients served annually.  The group will provide physicians to staff the ER providing care to Clarion and the surrounding communities.  This comes at a time when the hospital is looking to make changes to improve patient care and satisfaction, according to a hospital press release.

Providing around-the-clock emergency care, the Clarion Hospital Emergency Department treats approximately 18,000 patients annually.  Under the direction of Michael J. Hoh, D.O., FACOEP, the center has nine treatment rooms and two trauma areas to accommodate patients.  The ER is supported by 24-hour coverage from Clarion Hospital’s Lab, Radiology, and Operating Room.

It is possible that some of the doctors employed by UPMC could work for Allegheny because of the change.

Clarion Hospital EMS personnel are located on site as well as two satellite locations in Marienville and New Bethlehem and work closely with other EMS personnel at locations throughout Clarion County.

Clarion Hospital also has a helipad on-site to rapidly transport critical patients either from the scene or from Clarion Hospital for specialized treatment not available at Clarion Hospital.