MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - Shriners Hospitals for Children-Twin Cities is switching to an outpatient-only clinic model and will be eliminating its inpatient care by the end of the year, according to a hospital spokeswoman.
The change means Shriners will be cutting 35 full-time positions and will no longer be a full service hospital.
Shriners leaders said the switch to outpatient focus is part of a national trend and is due to a decreased need for overnight inpatient care.
“The long term plan is to focus on the development of an outpatient clinic where patients will receive pediatric orthopedic care, child life, radiology, rehabilitation (occupational and physical therapy), orthotic and prosthetic services," said Charles Lobeck, hospital administrator, in a press release. "When surgery is indicated, Shriners Hospital surgeons will utilize a local area children’s hospital."