Saint Clare's to reduce hours at Sussex facility

SUSSEX — Saint Clare's Health System will reduce the hours of the Sussex satellite emergency department beginning in February.

Starting Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, the hours of operation will be 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., seven days a week.

“Since the transition to an outpatient and ambulatory facility, Saint Clare’s has continued to offer full-service emergency services round-the-clock,” said Leslie D. Hirsch, president and chief executive officer of Saint Clare’s Health System. “Since initiating the SED in September 2012, we have closely monitored patient volumes to determine the optimal hours of operation for this facility. After a period of evaluation, it became very clear to us that operating the SED from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. would be optimal.”

The hospital recently submitted a Certificate of Need to the state, asking for the hour reduction, which the state approved Jan. 2.

“After careful consideration of our application, which included a review of other health care options currently in place, the New Jersey Department of Health has approved our application to reduce the hours at the Sussex satellite emergency department to 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.,” Hirsch continued. “We want the community to know that we will remain open as a full-service satellite emergency department during these hours.”

The Sussex County community will continue to have access via the advanced life support services provided by Saint Clare’s Mobile Intensive Care Unit program. Saint Clare’s will continue to be the state designated provider of MICU services in Sussex County, working in collaboration with local ambulance squads.

Saint Clare’s Health Center at Sussex will continue to provide other outpatient medical services, including diagnostic and testing services, to meet the needs of the community we serve in Sussex County.