Rutland Regional Medical Center to Close Pediatric Inpatient Unit
Rutland Regional Medical Center announced today it will close its five inpatient pediatric beds on December 21, a move that will require some young patients to travel further for overnight care.
Hospital CEO Judi Fox stated the decision stems from a decline in the number of children requiring overnight hospital stays, with the majority of pediatric patients receiving sufficient care through emergency room visits, outpatient appointments, or shorter inpatient stays. According to a hospital press release, nearly two-thirds of pediatric patients are discharged the same day. “Maintaining specialized inpatient services that are rarely used is not an efficient use of staff or resources,” the release stated. Patients needing overnight treatment will be transferred to the Golisano Children’s Hospital at the University of Vermont Health in Burlington or Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, New Hampshire.
The hospital will continue to offer pediatric outpatient and surgical services, and will designate rooms within the emergency department for pediatric patients needing extended observation. While the closure is projected to save the hospital approximately $3.1 million annually, Fox emphasized it wasn’t solely a financial decision, citing challenges in recruiting and retaining staff for a low-volume specialty. This change comes amid increasing financial pressures on Vermont’s rural hospitals, some of which are facing severe cash flow issues.
The hospital does not anticipate layoffs as a result of the closure, but pediatric nurses and staff may be reassigned. Officials stated they hope this shift will reduce reliance on traveling nurses. The Green Mountain Care Board approved a net patient revenue of $336.6 million for Rutland Regional Medical Center for 2026, indicating a comparatively stable financial position within the state’s healthcare system.
The hospital will begin the formal review process for closure immediately, though implementation may take longer.
