St. Joseph’s Hospital in St. Paul closes emergency room
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Wednesday marks a new chapter for one St. Paul hospital.
St. Joseph’s, in downtown, is starting its transition away from emergency care to COVID-19 care and long-term acute care.
The hospital closed the emergency room and stopped receiving ER patients Wednesday at 7 a.m.
Hospital officials said the massive overhaul is reflective of health care demand.
Nurses voice concerns over hospitals shutting down or downsizing during pandemic
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[KSTP]
Longtime employees are sad to see the ER close.
"This is my home," RN Gary Ackerman said. "This is my professional family and my friends. Today is a sad day but we’ll get through it."
Fairview Health Services said there are no layoffs in the ER closure.
Employees are being transferred to other hospitals or are retiring.