State board approves closing of Alexian Brothers obstetric unit, with a less than ringing endorsement

The Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board Tuesday voted 6-3 in favor of Ascension closing the 28-bed obstetric unit Alexian Brothers in Elk Grove Village.

Ascension will close the unit within 60 days. Obstetric services will be consolidated at Ascension St. Alexius Women and Children's Hospital in Hoffman Estates.

Although the vote was decisive, even board members who voted yes during the meeting at the Bolingbrook Golf Club raised concerns about closing the unit, which serves an underserved population.

Board Chair Debra Savage, who “unhappily” cast her vote approving the closure, said the patient population is not as wealthy as that of Hoffman Estates.

“Your system taking access away from the people in Elk Grove Village is not good,” she said. “I think you're going to have problems with the volume at St. Alexius when people start having more babies.”

Monica LeGrand raised similar concerns, but voted no, saying, “I think we’re doing a disservice to our underprivileged people.”

But David Fox, who cast a yes vote, cited the historical quality of the medical staffs and management at Alexian Brothers and St. Alexius.

“I’m going to defer to your judgment that you know what you are doing and you’re taking all of the precautions,” he said.

“This has not been an easy decision whatsoever.” said Polly Davenport, a senior vice president and market CEO for Ascension Illinois, who alluded to a declining trend of physicians entering the world of obstetrics. “It’s really about using our resources wisely.”

Davenport, who added it was not primarily a financial decision, noting the quality at both hospitals is good, but said, “We believe we can do it well at one hospital,” rather than duplicating services and technology.

The board also heard impassioned testimony from members of the public who opposed the decision.

“Closing a labor/delivery unit means pregnant people and their babies will face longer travel times, delayed care and increased risk in emergencies,” testified Lorraine Krolicki, a more than 40-year Elk Grove Village resident and a retired Alexian Brothers staff member.