Pueblo, Colo.-based UCHealth Parkview Medical Center ended its cardiothoracic surgery program June 1, according to a report from The Pueblo Chieftain.
Patients requiring cardiothoracic surgery will be referred to UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, Colo., where the health system is consolidating services under a cardiovascular center of excellence model.
In a statement shared with Becker’s, UCHealth said the transition includes open-heart surgery, transcatheter aortic valve replacement procedures and MitraClip procedures.
Patients will continue to receive preoperative appointments and follow-up care at Parkview. The system said Parkview will continue to offer cardiology services including emergency treatment for heart attacks, cardiac catheterization, stent procedures, electrophysiology services and noninvasive cardiac testing.
UCHealth said the change affects a small number of highly specialized cardiac procedures but did not disclose how many patients or employees will be affected.
The closure leaves Pueblo without a provider of cardiothoracic surgery services. Colorado Springs-based St. Mary-Corwin Hospital, owned by Chicago-based CommonSpirit Health, also does not offer cardiothoracic surgery, according to the report.
Becker’s has reached out to UCHealth for comment and will update this story if more information becomes available.
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