Saline Reacts to the Closing of St. Joe's ER

What does the closure of Saline's emergency room mean for the community? It depends who you talk to.

Thursday St. Joseph Mercy Health System announced that the 24-hour-a-day emergency room at the old Saline Community Hospital will be replaced with a 12-hour-a-day urgent care facility by April of 2014.

The impact it will have on the community is difficult to gauge. The reduction in service is part of a continuing trend at the facility, which closed its hospital in 2010 and surgical operations in 2012.

Saline Mayor Brian Marl said he was disappointed but not surprised by the announcement.

“This certainly doesn't come as a shock, given the reductions in certain services over recent years. However, the move from 24-hour emergency access to a 12-hour urgent care facility affects all Saline community residents.,” Marl said, adding that the city had strong relations with St. Joseph Mercy Health System.

Marl also expressed hope that the health organization would continue to provide health service to a community he expects will continue to grow.

Fire Chief Craig Hoeft said the closure of the emergency room won't impact the Saline Area Fire Department and Huron Valley Ambulance operations.

“St. Joe's had already changed their model in terms of the kinds of patients they took in the Emergency room. So the ambulance hasn't responded there with patients in a couple of years,” Hoeft said.

The end of 24-hour service impact the Saline Police Department. Those arrested for drunk driving are taken to St. Joe's for a blood draw. Police Chief Larry Hrinik said the end of 24-hour service means police will spend less time on patrol.

“It was certainly nice to have a facility like this in the community, just a few minutes away and without long waits. Now we'll be driving 40-45 minutes there and back and we may have longer waits. That means officers will be off the streets for longer periods of time,” Hrinik said. “We had a great relationship with St. Joe's, so it's disappointing to see this end, but economic times are what they are.”

Residents engaged on the Saline Post's Facebook page were also disappointed and concerned by the closure of the ER.

Here's what they said.

Sandy Hopper Webster It impacts us all. I absolutely hate what has happened to our hospital!

Kelly Driscoll Saiyacork yes. Ann Arbor trauma centers are already over full.

Melissa Marowelli This actually would impact us. Currently the closest urgent care that accepts our insurance is just off campus in AA, and with traffic/parking we choose to go to the other one (all two!) that is on the north side of AA on Plymouth Rd. However, then that means that the closest ER that accepts our insurance would be SJM in AA/Ypsi. Kind of a trade off. At least we HAVE insurance.
We have utilized the ER at St. Joe Saline twice for kids with broken appendages in the past 3 years.

Michele MacBrien Stenson This is not good news at all. As the parents of 5 kids, we have used the Saline ER numerous times. It has been so great to not have to travel to U of M or St. Joes in Ann Arbor to sit and wait for 4 hours or more...Sad day.

Mary Hess It will impact the whole saline community.

Tabitha Mason Oh, no! Earlier this year, my 4-year old son severed a finger in a freak bike accident, and I took comfort in knowing we would have him in the ER in just a few moments. I can't imagine what the outcome would have been if we would have had to drive to Ann Arbor! I don't like this at all.

Melissa Marowelli Yeah...try parking a 12 passenger van at U of M children's hospital...it doesn't fit in the parking garage...BTDT, so yes, those people who have mobility issues/transportation issues would definitely be negatively impacted.

Erin Parran This is a very big impact to my family and the entire saline community. We have taken comfort in knowing that there is a ER so close in the event of a emergency. I have nothing against st.joes in A however, often times you are left waiting for extended periods of time. In my opinion this is a poor decision on St.Joes behalf.

Robert Braley I am torn. I have six children. I myself have been there for emergencies. The only positive is that it cost me $100 for emergency visits verse $15 for urgent care. Let's just hope we don't have an emergency after 9 pm.

Tia Feldkamp They are supposed to be trying to figure out transportation for people with mobility issues, SUPPOSED TO BE. They just did so many renovations to the building, all for it to close....very sad. I wonder if the Evangelical home will take over the whole building, or if they U will swoop in and buy it? Very sad for the community. And the people that it will impact on losing jobs, some will get placed, but I don't think everyone will from the sounds of it.

Kristy Cundiff I'm curious though, have they been a fully operating ER as of the past few years? I've sent employees there following on-the-job injuries and have been told that their ER isn't able to do drug testing. It blew me away that an ER couldn't draw blood or take a urine sample for testing. Even though I live in Saline, I, personally, would go to the Ypsi St. Joe if I or a loved one required an ER. Just haven't felt very confident in Saline's in years. I'm in the minority here, but I think an urgent care facility may be the better option for this location.

Cathie Curran Living in our beautiful small town surrounded by farmland has been a true gift. Another gift has been knowing we have an ER so close, especially when our children were younger. We still have two very very good hospitals close by but I will miss the comfort of knowing Saline ER was only five minutes away.

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