The Observation Deck

In 2013, CCF conducted a study of the health needs and trends in the area that it serves. They published a 184 page report detailing some of the issues. See here:

[url]my.clevelandclinic.org/ccf/media/Files/About-Cleveland-Clinic/chna/2013-Main-Campus-CHNA-and-ISR.pdf[/url]

Please note the graph on page 70 of the document. It shows the Community Need Index (CNI) for the area, based on the hospital serving that area.





According to that graph, the area served by Lakewood Hospital is a high needs area. What changed in less than 2 years? This study did not conclude that we needed LESS hospital based services.

National studies also indicate that closure of emergency rooms DOES increase mortality. While we are promised a "mini ER," the simple truth is that all serious cases will be diverted elsewhere, or stabilized and transferred. This creates crowding at area ER rooms, leading to poorer outcomes. As noted in the article, closures are more likely in poorer communities, further stressing the provision of health care to those most vulnerable.

http://healthaffairs.org/blog/2014/09/11/mortality-rate-increases-with-emergency-department-closures/

Considering that the Clinic's own study showed that we are a high needs community, it boggles the mind how they can then turn around and claim we do not need a full service ER or hospital. It contradicts the narrative they had less than 2 years ago.

In 2010, a study of Cleveland area hospitals by a nation policy institute was conducted.
http://www.nihcr.org/Cleveland_Community_Report

It contained this comment in regard to CCF-

The system also reportedly plans to expand capacity at hospitals in Lakewood and Euclid.

What changed?