A deep downsizing plan at Bethesda Oak Hospital won't be quite as deep as previously announced.
In May, TriHealth officials said they would close the emergency department at Bethesda Oak, along with most inpatient services, while keeping maternity services and converting the rest of the facility into a ''medical mall'' for outpatient care.
But after complaints from several doctors, TriHealth has decided to keep the emergency department open, spokesman Jeff Blunt said.
The decision was made about two weeks ago, but wasn't announced because TriHealth is still negotiating contracts with some of the doctors.
The changes at Bethesda Oak were expected to cut about $35 million from its $110 million annual operating budget. The number of licensed beds will shrink from 355 to about 150.
The change would be the second significant adjustment to the Bethesda Oak reorganization plan. Early plans to eliminate nearly all intensive care services were scrapped after other complaints from doctors.
Construction started in May on the Bethesda Oak project, and is expected to be completed by late 1999.
TriHealth also includes Good Samaritan and Bethesda North hospitals.
