Frederick Hospital to shut down ER, in-patient services

FREDERICK, Okla. (AP) – A hospital in Frederick plans to close its emergency department and end in-patient services at the end of the month.

Comanche County Memorial Hospital spokeswoman Lori Cummins says there aren’t enough patients seeking treatment at Frederick Hospital to justify the cost to keep the department open.

Cummins says the hospital’s emergency room treated less than two patients per day on average. Services for patients admitted to the hospital lost the most money at Frederick.

The Journal Record (http://bit.ly/1U8yaPU ) reports that Frederick Hospital is affiliated with the Comanche hospital and its Memorial Hospital and Physician Group. The group’s trustees announced the decision to close the emergency department March 15.

Cummins says the problems started a year ago and that cuts to Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians was another contributing factor.