MEDINA, Ohio — Summa Health announced Monday that it would be suspending operations at its Medina Emergency Department effective at the end of day Wednesday, May 6.
The decision to suspend operations came due to the significant drop in patients seeking care at the facility in addition to the need to conserve personal protective equipment, according to Summa Health.
“There are several factors contributing to the additional decrease in patients,” said Dr. David Custodio, president of the Summa Health System – Akron Campus. “Across the nation, there has been a significant reduction in the number of people seeking in-person care. In addition, across our system, we have seen a significant increase in the number of people choosing to receive treatment via telehealth.”
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients using the Medina Emergency Department had been historically low, with an average of just 20 people a day being treated. Since the pandemic, the department has dropped to an average of around seven patients per day, with some days only bringing in two to three people, Summa Health said.
The Summa Health Medical Group Medina Family Practice on Medina Road is offering expanded hours until 9 p.m. and walk-in appointments for people not already a patient of the practice to help ensure urgent need care for local residents.
The hospital system is also offering e-visits and audio/online visits using Summa Health Virtual Visit.
Summa Health said there is not a set date when the Medina Emergency Room will resume operations and the decision will be evaluated as the pandemic progresses.
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