Meriter Hospital has announced it will close its three-bed inpatient pediatric unit at the end of February. Children needing inpatient services will be sent to UW Health’s American Family Children’s Hospital.
With more vaccines available and more procedures able to be treated without hospital stays, child hospitalizations have reportedly declined nationwide. Meriter had already been sending more serious cases to the American Family hospital.
Meriter, which used to have as many as eight pediatric beds, will continue to offer other pediatric services, such as an after-hours clinic, the emergency room, and outpatient clinics. American Family Children’s Hospital is increasing its capacity from 68 to 87 beds this year.
