Pomerado Hospital to increase services now that Palomar Health is closing its downtown campus

Palomar Health’s board has decided to close the public health district’s downtown Escondido campus and shift its services to Pomerado Hospital in Poway and Pomerado Medical Center in Escondido.

The board made the decision during a special meeting on June 24. About two weeks earlier, Palomar Health management’s recommendation to close the campus was announced. District officials then held four “community conversation” events to hear from the public and answer questions. Two — on June 15 and 23 — were held at Pomerado Hospital.

The closure is likely to occur by this fall, according to Palomar Health President and CEO Robert Hemker. In addition to shifting most services to Pomerado and Palomar Medical Center, some might be shared with other nearby facilities, including the Rancho Bernardo Outpatient Surgical Center on an “as needed” basis.

Officials said the district is losing $20 million a year by keeping the Palomar Health Downtown Campus open in Escondido, which is about three miles from its new state-of-the-art hospital that opened in 2012. In addition, more than $172 million in infrastructure and information technological upgrades are needed over the next five years at the campus that was the original Palomar Medical Center. The work does not include aesthetics like new paint and flooring. Money saved will go toward reinvesting in patient care throughout the system. In all, the closure could mean a savings of $272.4 million over the next five years.

“Palomar Health has a commitment to the community to continue providing high-quality, safe patient care into the future,” Hemker said. “This decision positions our organization well to continue serving our community and growing with their health care needs. I am extremely confident in this recommendation and have faith that our leadership, medical staff, nursing staff and community partners will make this transition a success.

“As we continue our ‘patient first’ focus I am excited about the future of Palomar Health,” he said. “We must adapt to the rapid changes in health care, but will not compromise on our promise of high-quality, safe patient care. I thank our board for making this very tough, but necessary, decision that will help ensure our citizens have access to the highest quality healthcare for decades to come.”

“Everyone in our service area deserves access to the best facilities and care available and it is our responsibility to ensure continued access now and for future generations,” said Linda Greer, Palomar Health’s board chairwoman. “This was a very important decision for the future of Palomar Health, and we put a great deal of thought into our vote. I am confident this is the right choice for the district and those we serve, and I appreciate the staff, patients and community members who had a voice during this process. I am excited about the future of Palomar Health.”

The 319-bed downtown campus provides comprehensive care to more than 22,000 inpatients annually, according to the district’s website. Medical and surgical services include a birth center, neonatal intensive care unit, pediatric care unit (a partnership with Rady Children’s Hospital), oncology treatment, stereotactic radiosurgery, rehabilitation services and the Center for Behavioral Health. Per presented information it also offers cardiac rehabilitation, an infusion center, non-clinical services, outpatient occupational/physical therapy, perinatology, radiation therapy and a sleep lab.

The shift of services will include transitioning inpatient rehabilitation plus labor and delivery services to Palomar Medical Center and increasing the behavioral health services already provided at Pomerado Hospital. Emergency services at both hospitals will remain the same. Officials said neither PMC nor Pomerado consistently operate at ideal capacity, so a consolation of services would mean they are better used.

Officials estimate 60 to 75 benefitted (full time) employees and 180 to 220 per diem (part time) employees could lose their jobs. Health district officials said they plan to conduct a thorough review to determine the highest and best use of the downtown site after service transition concludes.

Palomar Health is the largest public health care district by area in California, with more than 500,000 residents. It has several facilities serving North County, including hospitals in Escondido and Poway; Expresscare health clinics in Escondido, Rancho Penasquitos, San Elijo Hills and Temecula; and a skilled nursing facility in Poway.