Delnor name to stay on hospital; no word yet on layoffs
If Delnor and Central DuPage health systems are allowed to merge, it's too early to say whether anybody will lose their job, according to hospital spokesmen.
Delnor and Central DuPage hospitals would retain their names, but it's to be determined what the new entity will be called.
The health groups announced Tuesday their intention to form an “integrated health system.
The proposal, after a public hearing, needs approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board.
The Central DuPage group found the smaller Delnor to be an attractive partner.
“Considering Delnor's excellence in clinical quality, patient satisfaction, fiscal responsibility and geography, it is an ideal organization to align with, CDH spokesman Amy Jo Steinbruecker said.
The competition has also taken notice.
Rick Floyd, president and chief executive officer of Sherman Health in Elgin, said the proposed merger “is an idea that makes sense. It gives them both a little more scale, making access to capital easier.
Questions
Chief executive officers Thomas Wright of Delnor and Luke McGuinness of Central DuPage declined requests for interviews.
Delnor spokesman Brian Griffin and Steinbruecker did answer some questions via e-mail.
Q. Will there be layoffs at Delnor or CDH as a result of this merger?
A. Griffin and Steinbruecker gave the exact same answer: “It's too soon to know exactly what, if any, staffing changes will come from the combination, but the new organization will pursue a growth strategy. As is the case with both hospitals today, the new health system would manage expenses and staffing levels to keep the organization financially strong while continuing to deliver the best health care for the community.
Q. Was Delnor actively looking for a partner or was it approached by CDH with the idea of merging?
A. Griffin: “Over the past two years, Delnor and CDH each independently and proactively set about preparing for the transformational changes occurring in health care, including considering forming relationships with other hospitals and health systems. Following extensive discussions, Delnor and CDH have jointly decided they could accomplish more in partnership with another hospital than alone.
Steinbruecker: “Both organizations view this proposed partnership as an important next step in their growth strategy to be leaders in regional health care. In today's environment, Delnor and CDH believe that combining their complementary strengths will allow them to better achieve their mutual goal of building a health system synonymous with bringing high-quality, advanced care to the community.
Q. Will this impact Delnor or Central DuPage's names and identities?
A. Griffin: “The names and identities of the hospitals will remain the same. A name for a potential new health system will be developed at the appropriate time.
Others' thoughts
People from Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles use Delnor Hospital in Geneva. But Batavians are in the primary service area for Provena Mercy Medical Center in Aurora, and Geneva and St. Charles are in the secondary service areas for Provena Mercy and its sister hospital, Provena St. Joseph in Elgin, said Heather Gates, regional marketing director for Provena.
“Overall, it is way too premature to make an assessment on the effect of a merger on the Provena facilities and their patients, she said.
Sherman's Floyd said he is no more worried about competing with a combined Delnor-CDH than he is about any of its other current competitors, and that Sherman's primary focus is working on cost-effectiveness and improving patient outcomes. Sherman moved to its new hospital campus on Randall Road in December.
Comparing the two
Delnor Hospital has 159 beds. As of April 2009, its average daily occupancy rate was 67.9 percent, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. It opened a new patient tower in May 2008, but that summer its request to be allowed to perform open-heart surgeries was denied by state regulators.
Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield has 313 beds, and its occupancy rate was 78 percent during the same time period.
Delnor was formed by the merger of Delnor Hospital of St. Charles and Community Hospital of Geneva in 1986, and opened its Randall Road campus in 1991. Central DuPage Hospital opened in 1964.
Comparing just the hospitals, there are a few differences. According to the 2008 hospital profile on file with the state, Delnor does not have any pediatric, neonatal, long-term care, rehabilitation, acute mental illness or long-term acute care beds. Central DuPage has 10 pediatric beds, eight neonatal, and 15 acute mental illness beds.
Delnor reported no cardiac surgery cases during calendar year 2008; Central DuPage had 277.
Besides the hospital, Central DuPage has six off-site clinics, a physicians' group, a home health and hospice care service and a business health practice. Delnor has its Health and Wellness Center, the Delnor Glen assisted-living center and new clinics in Batavia and South Elgin.
Comparing hospitals
The following hospital systems serve Chicago and its suburbs. If Central DuPage and Delnor health systems merge, they would have 472 beds between the new company's two hospitals.
Advocate (8 hospitals, 2,988 beds)
Adventist (4 hospitals, 776 beds)
Centegra (2 hospitals, 331 beds)
Edward (1 hospital, 309 beds)
Kindred 5 hospitals, 460 beds)
Kishwaukee (1 hospital, 94 beds)
Loyola University (2 hospitals, 799 beds)
NorthShore University (4 hospitals, 874 beds)
Northwestern University (2 hospitals, 1,011 beds)
Provena (3 hospitals, 957 beds)
Rush (2 hospitals, 959 beds)
Sherman (1 hospital, 255 beds)
Silver Cross (1 hospital, 289 beds)
University of Illinois (1 hospital, 491 beds)
University of Chicago (1 hospital, 565 beds)
Vista (two hospitals, 407 beds)
SOURCE: Illinois Hospital Association
Comparing hospitals
The following hospital systems serve Chicago and its suburbs. If Central DuPage and Delnor health systems merge, they would have 472 beds between the new company's two hospitals.
Ÿ Advocate (8 hospitals, 2,988 beds)
Ÿ Adventist (4 hospitals, 776 beds)
Ÿ Centegra (2 hospitals, 331 beds)
Ÿ Edward (1 hospital, 309 beds)
Ÿ Kindred (5 hospitals, 460 beds)
Ÿ Kishwaukee (1 hospital, 94 beds)
Ÿ Loyola University (2 hospitals, 799 beds)
Ÿ NorthShore University (4 hospitals, 874 beds)
Ÿ Northwestern University (2 hospitals, 1,011 beds)
Ÿ Provena (3 hospitals, 957 beds)
Ÿ Rush (2 hospitals, 959 beds)
Ÿ Sherman (1 hospital, 255 beds)
Ÿ Silver Cross (1 hospital, 289 beds)
Ÿ University of Illinois (1 hospital, 491 beds)
Ÿ University of Chicago (1 hospital, 565 beds)
Ÿ Vista (two hospitals, 407 beds)
SOURCE: Illinois Hospital Association