University of Colorado Health Yampa Valley Medical Center in Steamboat Springs is keeping its options open on plans for a new multispecialty orthopedic center, according to Steamboat Pilot.
Here are five things to know:
1. The hospital plans to break ground on the new center in the spring of 2019; however, it remains unclear if the center will be an ambulatory surgery center or hospital outpatient department.
2. Surgeons at the hospital pushed for an ASC, arguing it would be more cost-effective for the Yampa Valley Medical Center and would give them a bigger voice in decisions.
3. In April, surgeons at Steamboat Orthopaedic Associates and Orthopaedics of Steamboat, both in Steamboat Springs, merged to form the Steamboat Orthopedic & Spine Institute. After the merge, the surgeons declined to partner with Yampa Valley Medical Center due to its cost structure and inadequate surgery space.
4. In recent weeks, negotiations between Steamboat Orthopedic & Spine Institute and Yampa Valley Medical Center have resumed. The hospital is now working with the surgeons to be more accommodating in order to create a long-lasting relationship.
5. The new center will cost approximately $30 million. The initial proposal was for the center to be part of the hospital. However, surgeons are arguing an ASC would have lower costs for the community.