Altoona (Pa.) Regional Health System said it will pursue affiliation talks with UPMC after vetting potential partners.

“While no final decisions have been made, this is the next logical step in the affiliation process,” Jerry Murray, president and CEO of Altoona Regional said in a news release. “We will continue to work toward an affiliation that is in the best interests of the patients and communities we serve.”

The search for a possible partner has been under way for almost a year and “several potential partners shared with the board their visions of the future of healthcare in Pennsylvania,” the release said. Altoona Regional is seeking to increase its access to capital under a deal and sought a partner that would help to increase its quality and services, said the release.

Paul Wood, a spokesman for UPMC, said in an e-mail: “UPMC has had a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Altoona Regional Hospital and looks forward to further discussions.”