WAUSAU, Wis. (WZMQ) – Aspirus Health is investing $30 million into expansions at its hospital in Laurium and transitioning its Ontonagon hospital into a rural health clinic.
The non-profit health system announced Tuesday that the renovations at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital include updating infrastructure, redesigning inpatient rooms, increasing access to orthopedic care, and improving its walk-in and same-day primary care services.
The Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital will no longer provide emergency services and general hospital services effective April 20, 2024. The clinic will provide primary care; same-day access; core laboratory service; imaging services; physical, occupational, speech therapy; retail pharmacy services; and cardiology, women’s health, podiatry, and diabetes care.
The health system cites low inpatient numbers at the Ontonagon hospital for one of the reasons behind the decision.
You can read the full press release below:
Aspirus Health is committing generous resources to Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to meet changing regional health needs and build thriving communities. By investing in renovations and expansion, Aspirus will transform its care model to remain strong and vibrant despite a challenging health care environment.
The first element of the plan is a $30 million renovation and expansion project at Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital in Laurium, Mich., to meet growing local needs for hospital, primary care and specialty care services. The funds will be used to:
- Update the efficiency and effectiveness of existing infrastructure.
- Redesign and remodel inpatient rooms to a larger, more comfortable private layout that supports advanced care delivery, technology and a better patient experience.
- Increase access to orthopedic care.
- Consolidate services and improve patient flow and convenience.
- Improve walk-in and same-day primary care access.
“Aspirus Health is committed to the Upper Peninsula, and to continuously transforming to meet the changing needs of its communities,” said Christine Harff, Aspirus U.P. Region President. “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic and recent economic challenges, we have stayed strong through foresight, integration and rigorous continuous improvement. We are happy to be able to invest these resources in support of the people who depend on us for excellent, compassionate care.”
In addition to the improvements to Aspirus Keweenaw Hospital, Aspirus will transition Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital to a rural health clinic, which will provide services that better match local needs in a community that has changed dramatically in recent years. Effective April 20, 2024, the Aspirus team in Ontonagon will provide:
- Primary care.
- Same-day access.
- Core laboratory services.
- Imaging services.
- Physical, occupational and speech therapy.
- Retail pharmacy services.
- Specialty outreach for cardiology, women’s health, podiatry and diabetes care.
Hospital and emergency services will be replaced by a robust suite of outpatient-only services the community depends on. Currently Aspirus Ontonagon Hospital serves just one inpatient a day on average. Some days, there are no inpatients.
Aspirus values every one of its team members and is working directly with each employee in Ontonagon whose role will change to find a new position within the system. Human resources leaders are meeting individually with staff, offering a broad range of services and resources to support a smooth transition.
