The Lifespan/Care New England Merger

Benefits of the Merger: What it Means for Our Patients and Caregivers

The decision to merge the systems comes after extensive discussions between the senior leadership of Lifespan and CNE, where a key focus was on how best to deliver care in an increasingly challenging financial environment and in a way that enhances and elevates each system’s strengths.

• The merger will allow clinical staff, such as pediatricians and OB/GYNs, emergency departments, pediatric and adult psychiatry—to name just a few—throughout the combined systems to work in closer partnership.
  
  
• Integrated, user-friendly computer systems will allow physicians to have access to patient records in their offices, resulting in minimal duplication of tests, faster admissions for patients, and quicker access to lab tests—all allowing treatment to be delivered in a more seamless fashion.
  
  
• Through the creation of centers of excellence at Lifespan and CNE hospitals, both are better equipped to offer specialized treatment to patients.
  
  
• The planned relocation of Brown University’s Warren Alpert Medical School on, or near, the Rhode Island Hospital campus will create the state’s first comprehensive academic medical center. The academic medical center will be a magnet for the recruitment of medical and scientific professionals, as well as a catalyst for increased research.
  
  
• By working together, the hospitals are better positioned with the flexibility needed to withstand anticipated reductions in reimbursement, while continuing to support local teaching and research, preserve jobs and maintain our respective missions to care for the uninsured and underinsured.

Other clinical enhancements that would occur under the merger:

• Butler Hospital will create the state’s first Brain Sciences Institute, which will support research, education and behavioral health treatment. In addition, the Butler campus would be sold or otherwise developed to fund a new Butler Hospital facility on or near the RIH campus.

• Kent Hospital will apply to become a level II trauma center and will also seek to create an emergency medicine residency program. Together, these improvements will enhance statewide disaster responsiveness.

• Women & Infants will retain its leadership role in neonatal and women’s reproductive health. There will also be a greater opportunity to develop services for conditions that disproportionately affect women and to maximize Women & Infants’ referral network and strong regional presence.

• Care New England’s VNA will continue under the Lifespan system.

More about the Lifespan/Care New England Merger