Orthopedic surgery residents are among the Tufts Medical Center trainees who will begin rotations at Boston Children's as the 128-year-old hospital plans to close its pediatric facility.
Tufts will convert its 41 pediatric beds into "much-needed adult ICU and medical/surgical beds," boosting its capacity to treat critically ill adults, Wellforce Health System, the parent organization of Tufts Medical Center, said in a Jan. 20 news release.
The 41 beds translate to between 1,800 and 2,000 discharges a year that would be transitioned to Boston Children's, allowing Tuft to repurpose that space and expand adult care by 20 percent.
Pediatric patients will be moved to Boston Children's under a collaboration agreement between the health systems. The deal, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to take effect July 1.
Tufts said it is sharing the news now because of upcoming recruitment deadlines for resident trainees.
Tufts and Boston Children's are also discussing collaborating in the delivery of pediatric ambulatory specialty services, including satellite physician services.
"As we look toward the future, we must make this difficult but crucial decision," said Michael Tarnoff, MD, president and CEO of Tufts Medical Center. "I am confident that through this collaboration with Boston Children's, we will best serve the long-term health needs and well-being of our patients, our families, our employees, our trainees and the communities Wellforce serves."