Minnesota-based Northfield Hospital + Clinics will close its Long Term Care Center at Northfield Hospital this fall, due to financial challenges and lack of available staff.
The Long Term Care Center is a 40-bed unit at Northfield Hospital. It opened in 1963 as the H.O. Dilley Skilled Nursing Facility in the hospital, then-located on Second Street (now Way Park). It was originally built with a $250,000 bequest from Minnie Dilley. The center, once the recipient of five-star ratings from CMS, has struggled recently to make ends meet.
NH+C’s 2022 net revenue was $119.7 million, while net expenses were $128.8 million. In the Long Term Care Center alone, it costs significantly more to provide care than payments for the service cover.
“This is a painful decision, but it’s the best decision under difficult circumstances, to keep NH+C strong enough to serve our communities well,” says NH+C president and CEO Steve Underdahl, in a statement. “An organization can’t sustain ongoing heavy losses and continue to operate effectively.”
NH+C will reportedly work with each resident and their support person of choice to select an alternative placement that meets their individual needs and choices. The organization will also provide assistance in the relocation process, and there will be no cost to residents or families.
NH+C will work with affected staff to explore other job options within NH+C with another local employer.
The process is expected to be complete by October 5.
