VA Contracts for Inpatient Care with St. Francis Medical Center
May 15, 1997
Washington, D.C. -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is announcing the transfer of inpatient services from the VA Medical Center in Grand Island, Neb., to the St. Francis Medical Center -- a community hospital located approximately two miles from the VA facility.
"In order to maintain local access for inpatient care, a contract has been negotiated with St. Francis Medical Center to provide acute medical and intensive care services at VA expense," said David Asper, Acting Director of the Grand Island VA Medical Center. "The recent temporary transfer of intensive care services to St. Francis has proved successful. We are pleased with the cooperation between the two staffs, and veterans' comments have been favorable," added Asper.
Closure of acute inpatient care does not mean closure of the medical center.
The Grand Island VA Medical Center will retain its strong outpatient programs, including the North Platte Clinic, the 76-bed nursing home care unit, and the residential substance abuse program. To provide for continuity of care, VA primary care physicians will be granted privileges at the St. Francis Medical Center. The Lincoln and Omaha VA Medical Centers will continue to serve as referral hospitals for some specialty care.
The transfer of inpatient services to St. Francis Medical Center is expected to be implemented within 90 to 120 days.
For additional information, call Sandy Christiansen or Sharyl Schaepe, Volunteer Services, Grand Island VA Medical Center, at (308) 382-3660 or toll-free at (800) 452-7897.
