Crestwood Medical Center has officially joined the Huntsville Hospital Health System.
As part of HH Health, Crestwood will now be a part of what system officials are calling a "coordinated regional network" serving to connect hospitals while also ensuring care in regional communities. Additionally, HH Health said Crestwood will continue to operate under its name and identity, including its colors and logo.
"We are excited to welcome the Crestwood team into the Huntsville Hospital family and proud of the care they provide,” Jeff Samz, CEO of Huntsville Hospital Health System stated. "What this does is strengthen that care and keep it rooted in this community. Bringing Crestwood into our system will have meaningful, positive outcomes for patients, especially in high-need areas like emergency care, labor and delivery, stroke care, and trauma services."
"We think decisions about local health care should be made locally with you in mind,” he continued. "Starting today, any profit generated by Crestwood will remain right here in our community to serve you – not sent to shareholders or out of state."
According to HH Health, patients can continue to see their physicians and receive care at Crestwood with no planned changes to services or operations.
“We’re proud of the care the Crestwood team provides every day and excited to continue that work as part of Huntsville Hospital Health System,” said Mike Gillespie, chair of the Crestwood Medical Center Board of Trustees. “Crestwood’s focus remains the same – taking care of patients and supporting the health of this community."
Added Gillespie, "We’re confident this partnership allows us to do that on an even larger scale, with added stability and new opportunities to reinvest in equipment, technology and infrastructure that will benefit both our patients and caregivers.”
Early priorities for integration and investment include:
- Evaluating and updating equipment and technology to enhance delivery of care
- Utilizing previously unused space across the hospital, including patient rooms
- Strengthening nurse compensation to support recruitment and retention across both campuses
- Coordinating care between hospitals to ensure patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time
- Implementing a single electronic health record to enhance continuity of care for patients and provide easier access to information for caregivers
The Huntsville Hospital Health System first announced its intention to acquire Crestwood Medical Center in a $450 million deal in January.
Per the agreement between Huntsville Hospital Health System and Community Health Systems Inc., HHHS took ownership of Crestwood's medical center, freestanding emergency department in Harvest, 180-bed acute care hospital and other associated outpatient services.
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