Delnor-Central DuPage merger advances
Delnor Health System and Central DuPage Health have signed a “definitive” agreement to merge, officials from both hospitals said Friday.
In October, the two announced they were working on a merger, having signed a memo of understanding.
Several government agencies will have to approve the merger. Hospital officials hope that can be completed in the spring.
“This is the next important step in achieving our vision to create a single, integrated health system,” Thomas L. Wright, president and chief executive officer of Delnor Hospital, said in a prepared statement. “We are excited to bring together two top quality health systems to deliver the best in medical care for the patients and communities we serve.”
“By signing today, we anticipate being able to implement our shared vision in the spring of 2011” Central DuPage Hospital Chief Executive Officer Luke McGuinness said. “We are thrilled to be so close to realizing the benefit our patients and communities will receive once this integrated health system is fully functioning.”
One goal of the proposed new entity is to create a level of scale to improve quality and reduce costs.
The hospitals need approval from the Illinois Health Facilities and Services Review Board, the Federal Trade Commission, the Department of Justice and the Illinois Attorney General.
Delnor is a 159-bed hospital in Geneva, formed in 1986 from the merger of Delnor Hospital of St. Charles and Community Hospital of Geneva. It runs two off-site quick-care clinics, an assisted-living center and a Health and Wellness Center.
Central DuPage Hospital in Winfield has 313 beds. It opened in 1964. It has six off-site clinics, a home health- and hospice-care service and a business health practice.
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. CDH 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.