Moses Taylor’s ER closes: Commonwealth Health Scranton consolidates
Scranton patients requiring emergency room services now have only two options rather than three, with the consolidation of Moses Taylor Hospital's ER with Regional Hospital of Scranton, one block west.
Pennsylvania Department of Health approved Commonwealth Health’s plan to unify its Scranton emergency room operations to a single location at Regional Hospital of Scranton. Commonwealth Health Systems, Inc. ceased operations at Moses Taylor’s emergency room at 11:59 p.m. on March 31.
According to Commonwealth Health, its ER medical staff encouraged consolidating staff to better provide patient care and operate more efficiently.
"Quality care and patient safety remain the top priorities," the Commonwealth Health announcement states.
How it affects pregnancy cases
Pregnancy-related emergencies, however, will be shared between Regional Hospital of Scranton and Moses Taylor Hospital in the following way:
Patients who are less than 20 weeks pregnant will be served at Regional Hospital of Scranton for any pregnancy-related concerns or at any stage of pregnancy for other serious concerns that are unrelated to the pregnancy.
Expectant parents who are 20 weeks pregnant or more and experiencing an obstetrical complaint should go directly to the Moses Taylor Hospital-based obstetric unit for care.
Regional Hospital of Scranton’s emergency room will provide care for all medical emergencies not pregnancy related regardless of gestation age.
Commonwealth Health officials stated that they are communicating with area women, obstetricians, health clinics and emergency response systems outside of the hospital, to provide this information for pregnant patients.
"Expectant mothers are encouraged to discuss delivery planning and emergency care with their physician during their next office visit," Commonwealth Health states.
Anyone less than 20 weeks pregnant for any pregnancy related concerns at any stage of pregnancy for other serious concerns that are not related to pregnancy should call 9-1-1 or proceed to the emergency room at Regional Hospital which is located at 746 Jefferson Avenue.
Anyone that is 20 weeks pregnant or greater with a pregnancy related concern should seek care at Moses Taylor’s Family Birthing Suites.
Park on the first floor of the parkade located on Monroe Avenue then proceed to main lobby information desk to be registered. The hospital is located at 700 Quincy Avenue.
An additional ER option for patients seeking care is available at Geisinger Community Medical Center, 1800 Mulberry St., Scranton, which is separate from Community Health Systems.
Commonwealth Health officials state advise that in an emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
An emergency is any situation that requires immediate assistance from the police, fire department or ambulance.
First responders have specialized training and will transport patients to the closest facility that can provide the appropriate level of care based on the type of medical emergency.
Hospitals merged, November 2022
Moses Taylor Hospital merged with Commonwealth Health's Regional Hospital in Scranton under a single license on Nov. 1, 2022, with a single board of directors.
Moses Taylor Hospital remains the campus for pregnant patients to deliver babies and for infants to receive specialized care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). The hospital has delivered an estimated 45,718 babies since July of 2000, Commonwealth Health officials reported last November.
Seniors also receive specialized behavioral health care at Moses Taylor.
Regional Hospital of Scranton provides adults with acute medical services, including inpatient and intensive care, as well as surgical care.
The Heart and Vascular Institute at Regional Hospital of Scranton offers cardiovascular services.
Mercy Hospital in Scranton was purchased by Community Health in 2011 and renamed as Regional Hospital of Scranton. Tyler Memorial Hospital in Tunkhannock and Special Care Hospital in Nanticoke were included in the same $150 million purchase.
This article originally appeared on Tri-County Independent: Emergency Room at Moses Taylor closes in Scranton
