ROCK SPRINGS – Memorial Hospital of Sweetwater County (MHSC) recently announced the closure of their addiction medicine program, a division of their employed provider clinic.

Jerry Klein, CEO explained that the pilot program was initially created 3 years ago knowing that it may be a loss leader for the facility, but that it was a service that would benefit the community. A recent re-examination of the addiction medicine clinic showed that it was unsustainable for MHSC to continue and a hard decision was made to dissolve the program.

At that time, all patients of the program were sent a letter about the closure, as well as an attempt to reach each of them by phone. The letter contained detailed instructions related to pharmacy, medical records and also alternative treatment resources and providers in the region.

“We take the obligation to our patients seriously and at the same time we want to ensure the continuity of care. We do this by complying with all legal and ethical requirements that are due when closing a program or practice,” explained Mandeep Gill, VP and In-house Legal Counsel.

All support staff of the addiction medicine program that could, and chose to be, absorbed into other positions in the hospital or clinic remain employed by MHSC.

“We will continue to explore our options going forward to determine if an addiction medicine program is sustainable in the future. We know that it is a benefit to the community and we understand the need,” said Klein.

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