SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb., – Regional West Health Services today announced the upcoming closure of its Restorative Care Unit (RCU). The unit, which opened 26 years ago to provide short-term skilled nursing, is closing due to declining usage and the need for major renovations to comply with new skilled nursing regulations. The last patients will be admitted to the RCU on March 30 and the unit will officially close on April 15, 2013.

Hospital President and CEO Todd Sorensen, MD, MS, expressed regret that the decision had to be made.

“For the past several years, we have been researching the best and most cost-effective way to upgrade the unit to meet new standards and codes in order to continue skilled nursing care at Regional West, but new regulations, increasing costs, changes in health care reimbursement, and the availability of skilled nursing care at other local facilities have eliminated that option,” said Sorensen.

“We are committed to the needs of the many of patients who require a period of skilled nursing care before returning to their homes, so we have been carefully researching options for partnering with local long-term care facilities to provide that continuum of care for our patients,” he said.

All employees of Regional West Medical Center’s RCU have been informed of the unit’s closure and all have been guaranteed employment in other departments or in the float pool. Most employees have accepted positions within the Medical Center.

The inpatient dialysis unit and offices located on the east wing will remain open in their current location.

The Restorative Care Unit opened in September 1987 to provide skilled nursing care for hospitalized but non-acute patients. Throughout the years, many dedicated nurses, aides, and other employees have provided compassionate rehabilitative and restorative care for thousands of patients who were healing, but not quite ready to return to their homes following hospitalization. The RCU provided a vital link in the continuum of care.

“The RCU has a well-deserved reputation for providing personalized care to help patients prepare to return to their homes. I am personally grateful to all of the employees – past and present – who cared for our RCU patients and helped them regain their strength and their ability to return home,” said Sorensen.

Regional West Health Services, with over 1,800 employees, provides comprehensive and innovative health care services for the people and communities of western Nebraska and the neighboring states of Colorado, South Dakota and Wyoming. With over 110 active physicians, 95 percent of whom are board certified or board eligible, plus an additional 25 consulting specialists, Regional West offers care that spans more than 30 medical specialties. Regional West Medical Center, a subsidiary of Regional West Health Services, is accredited by The Joint Commission and is one of three Level II Trauma Centers in Nebraska.