SAN JOSE — Earlier this year, Regional Medical Center announced plans to shutter its trauma center and downgrade and close other life savings programs, sending shockwaves through the East Side. But now, the hospital has decided to reverse course.
On Friday morning, Regional Medical Center announced it was changing its plans to “align with community healthcare needs.”
Instead of closing the trauma center altogether, it will be downgrading it from a Level II to a Level III facility, which will allow it to provide assessment, resucitation, surgery and other intensive care to trauma patients.
The hospital had also previously planned to close its STEMI program, which treated patients in cardiac arrest. Instead, they will have cardiologists available 24-hours a day and have a daytime catherization laboratory. The stroke program, which was set to be downgraded, will alternatively be able to cater to the needs of 97% of stroke patients, with the rest being transferred to other providers as it has done in the past.
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“We worked closely with our emergency services partners to ensure we will meet the evolving medical needs of our patients and the East San Jose Community,” Regional Medical Center CEO Matt Cova said in a news release. “We’re pleased to have found a path that supports the revisions we’re announcing today.”
The hospital will also continue with its plans to increase the emergency department capacity from 43 to 63 beds by 2025.
The changes will start on Aug. 12 — the same date that Regional Medical Center was originally set to close the trauma center.
This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.