Late News: UPMC plans to close hospital in Braddock, losses cited

The University of Pittsburgh Medical Center system said it plans to close its 146-bed UPMC Braddock (Pa.) hospital by Jan. 31 because low patient volumes have led to nearly $27 million in operating losses over the past six years. The system projects that losses would be $50 million over the next five or six years if the hospital were to remain open. Admissions fell by 21% between 2004 and 2009, UPMC said. The hospital’s market share in the Braddock area, which is about 11 miles from downtown Pittsburgh, is only 20.8%, UPMC added. Physicians on the UPMC Braddock medical staff will be incorporated into the medical staffs of the other 11 UPMC hospitals, and most current employees will be offered positions elsewhere, UPMC said. UPMC said it will continue to offer outpatient programs at Braddock and will discuss expanding primary care at the site with local physicians.