In a move that's set to change the landscape of local healthcare, ChristianaCare, a Delaware-based health system, has teamed up with Emerus Holdings Inc. to cement its footprint in the Philadelphia suburbs with a trio of new "neighborhood" hospitals. These centers, geared to bring emergency and specialized care closer to communities, mark an expansion in the region for ChristianaCare, which already touts a comprehensive network of medical services.
The game plan includes transforming the dormant Jennersville Hospital in southern Chester County and erecting, two more hospitals in Delaware County. While the completion of the West Grove campus at Jennersville is well underway, the precise spots for the Delaware County facilities are still in the works, the Philadelphia Business Journal reports.
Each of these neighborhood hospitals will pack a full-service emergency department and roughly 10 inpatient beds. Optimized for 24/7 operations, they'll tackle a gamut of urgent health concerns—from injuries to heart attacks. Besides on-the-ground care, these hubs will lean on ChristianaCare's expansive network, enabling virtual consults with a slew of specialists for support services in neurology, cardiology, and more, according to a report by the Delco Times.
Adding another layer to their healthcare model, ChristianaCare will also establish health and wellness centers within each hospital site, tailored to fit the specific needs of the neighborhood. These will dabble in a variety of outpatient services from primary care to specialized diagnostics, thus rounding out the onsite healthcare experience.
At the core of this partnership with Emerus, the nation's front-runner in development of micro-hospitals, is a commitment to "putting the care patients need closer to where they live," as proclaimed by a statement on Business Wire. This initiative fits snugly with ChristianaCare's already accolade-laden history, noted for its high rankings in diversity, inclusion, and as an idyllic employer by Forbes and other prominent quality raters.
