The Shadow
LEWISBURG, Va. (VR) – Plans are underway to change Greenbrier Valley Medical Center’s (GVMC) status from acute care to critical access hospital (CAH).
Much like acute care hospitals, critical access hospitals provide inpatient services and 24/7 emergency rooms. However, Critical Access Hospitals have a maximum of 25 beds with nine additional observation beds.
Critical Access Hospitals receive a higher level of reimbursement for services, making the hospital more sustainable for our community. This designation will bolster Vandalia Health’s efforts to grow the facility in alignment with the shift toward outpatient care in both clinic and surgery settings, while still supporting appropriate levels of inpatient and observation care.
With the changes in health care reimbursement and the challenges facing rural hospitals, many hospitals across the country will be transitioning to CAH status.
There are currently 21 Critical Access Hospitals operating throughout the state maintaining services in their communities and offering excellent clinical care.
The process requires various approvals and certifications, and we anticipate that it will take approximately 12 months.
Additionally, GVMC has been recruiting OB/GYN providers and nurses for more than two years, without success. As a result, GVMC has been working with its physicians to transition OB/GYN services to prenatal and GYN care, with delivery options in Beckley and Charleston. GVMC will no longer provide OB delivery services or inpatient pediatrics after April of 2026.
Physicians practicing at GVMC will continue to provide outpatient prenatal, gynecologic and pediatric care.
Since the CAH designation aligns with current census trends at the hospital, the number of employees affected will be limited. While some may transfer to a different unit or office, there will be opportunities as inpatient services are adjusted and outpatient services expanded. GVMC will have numerous positions available, as will the CAMC/Vandalia Health organization. At any given time, CAMC/Vandalia Health has hundreds of open positions with opportunities for employees who may need to transition.
Over the past three years, CAMC has invested more than $50 million in GVMC, and will continue to invest in expanding outpatient services, including cancer care services. Vandalia Health CAMC is building a new, 15 million outpatient facility on the GVMC campus to grow the specialty care for the region.
Providers and administrators are working together to plan for these transitions, prioritizing patient care and employees.
