Westwood, NJ (click on map to enlarge).
As if you didn't suspect it already, it appears the state may be keeping two sets of books about hospitals.
The Bergen Record reports that in 'overbedded' North Jersey, the former Pascack Valley Hospital, which was closed earlier this year, is opening under the new ownership of Hackensack University Medical Center (HUMC) in a TWO-STEP plan.
Phase 1 is the opening of a standalone Emergency Room in the former hospital complex. It sounds very similar to the Solaris plan for Muhlenberg -- except better:
The free-standing E.R. will have a laboratory and imaging facilities, with radiology, CT scan and sonography. Food service will be transported from Hackensack, with vending machines on site. The medical-imaging department also will be open for outpatient visits.To my knowledge, there are no imaging plans for the satellite ER at Muhlenberg.
But here's the kicker, in the second phase, HUMC expects state approval to open a NEW 120-bed community hospital at the former Pascack Valley Hospital campus --
Hackensack will submit an application by month's end for state approval to open a 120-bed community hospital on the site, Ferguson said. Despite anticipated opposition from competing hospitals - and the recommendations of a governor's commission that fewer, rather than more, hospital beds are needed in North Jersey - Ferguson said he was "totally confident" the community hospital would open.The story says HUMC expects the first beds of the new community hospital to open in February, 2009.
How's that for a 'fair and rational' system?
If Assemblyman Green or Mayor Robinson-Briggs really had any clout, don't you think Muhlenberg's outcome would be different?
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3 comments:
Dan, We would b e lost if you did not devote time to scan all media and I presume blogs.
I do think that the Commissioner's delay to act on the CON is predicated on the strength of the local political response. Bergen and Passaic Counties also have strong machines. I don't think that their Democratic power is greater than in Union County. The Ethnic mix in the Pascack V alley area is different. Could this be of concenr?
Perhaps I should of blogged this.
There will be imaging at Muhlenberg. It's a significant profit center.
I am confused. Everything I have read about Muhlenberg has said that they will still provide Imaging and Lab services on the campus. Secondly, if you read the article, Hackensack is using their own money to build the hospital. No state money is being used. I fail to see your point in anything you have written. Can you explain?
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