Saint Vincent Hospital in Worcester will close its outpatient dialysis unit by July, according to a Friday message from CEO Carolyn Jackson addressed to the Saint Vincent team.
In her letter, Jackson cited recent trends in outpatient dialysis visits and the outpatient dialysis capacity in the Worcester area as reasons for the decision to close.
The hospital will work with current patients to coordinate a transition to other dialysis centers in the area, the message said.Â
Saint Vincent has started working with the employees affected by the closure to find a new role for them within the hospital. There are about 20 employees in the dialysis unit, said Matthew Clyburn, the hospital’s communications manager.
The hospital notified its dialysis team and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health on Friday of its intention to close early, according to the letter.
In 2021, Saint Vincent Hospital closed 100 beds due to staffing shortages amid a nurses strike and an industry-wide staffing crisis. Since the nine-month strike was resolved in January, the hospital has reported reopening its two outpatient services.
