SATURDAY, April 24, 2010 — Three regional hospitals have filed appeals with the state of Georgia to block St. Francis Hospital’s $8.25 million plan to establish a basic obstetrical program.
The Medical Center, Doctors Hospital and Phoebe Sumter Medical Center in Americus, Ga., submitted to the state Wednesday requests for an administrative appeal hearing. These appeals effectively suspend St. Francis’ certificate of need for the program, which the Georgia Department of Community Health granted a month ago.
The three parties’ concerns will be reviewed by a hearing officer, who could overturn the state’s decision to allow St. Francis a baby delivery program. If the hearing officer upholds the state’s decision, the parties can submit appeals one more time to a review board that will make the final decision.
In November, St. Francis applied for a certificate of need with the state to establish a Level I perinatal services program, stating it would re-establish business competition and give patients a choice.
St. Francis plans to set up a Level I nursery offering basic baby delivery services. The Medical Center and Doctors Hospital offer Level II and Level III neonatal care services — higher level programs that include a neonatal intensive care unit.
The appeals hearing should be held sometime between late June and August. The hearing officer will then issue a decision no later than 45 days after the hearing.
St. Francis and Columbus Regional were still in talks about a possible OB collaboration — which a number of local physicians said would be an ideal situation.
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