Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why is St. Peter’s Health Partners (SPHP) looking into closing maternity services at Samaritan Hospital?

A: The nursing shortage has become a national health crisis and Capital Region hospitals – including Samaritan Hospital – are not immune. It is exceptionally difficult to adequately staff health care, especially maternity services. In fact, nurse vacancies on the unit in 2023 have resulted in a steep increase in the need to transfer expectant mothers to other nearby hospitals for evaluation and care. This is not best practice for patient care, and it’s not what expectant mothers want. Further, declining birth rates have resulted in fewer deliveries. In 2013, 1,183 babies were born at Burdett, compared to 881 in 2022, and we’re on pace to finish below that this year. A provisional plan has been created to close maternity services at Samaritan Hospital, while preserving pre- and post-natal care in Troy. Closure date timing is under evaluation but will be some time in the spring of 2024, no later than June 30, 2024.

Q: How will the adjustments to the Medicare Wage Index (MWI) affect the proposal to close the Burdett Birth Center?

A: The news of the adjustment to the Medicare Wage Index is a tremendous victory, but it is not a “windfall.”  Rather, it brings Medicare payments for our region’s hospitals up to par with hospitals in other regions.  All hospitals continue to face extreme challenges, and the Medicare Wage Index adjustment is only a piece of the broader plan that is necessary to ensure we can continue to provide safe, compassionate, appropriate care to the communities we serve, well into the future.  As the community's 24/7/365 safety net, we know change is a necessary evolution to meet that responsibility. The reality is the challenges we face are significant and are not just financial in nature. Staffing shortages and declining birth rates are not just national trends, they are impacting our region. As such, we continue to work with the state Department of Health on the process of hiring a firm to conduct an impact assessment on the proposed Burdett closure, as well as identify necessary participants.

Data from 2022 shows 75 percent of Rensselaer County residents chose a hospital outside of their county for their deliveries, with a vast majority of those opting to go to Albany County. The survival of not-for-profit health care is critical to ensuring that everyone, regardless of their ability to pay, has access to quality health care. And while that means difficult choices that will create changes in our delivery model and where those services will be provided, it is being done to ensure everyone in the Capital Region has access to health care over the long term.

Q: What is the proposed timeline for closure?

A: Samaritan Hospital’s leadership continues to work on the closure plan for the discontinuance of delivery services at Samaritan Hospital, and we presently anticipate that the plan and health equity impact assessment will be submitted to the NYS Department of Health in November.  Closure was previously targeted for the end of 2023, but it is now being planned for some time in the spring of 2024, no later than June 30, 2024. This change, which will be reflected in the closure plan, will provide additional time for:  

• further meetings with stakeholders before closure plan submission; 
• completion of arrangements for transportation assistance and community education; 
• the orderly transition of staff and services; and 
• regulatory review and approval of the hospital’s certificate of need application and closure plan.

Q: Why is the C-Section rate at Samaritan lower than many other local hospitals?

A:  The majority of cesarean sections performed at Samaritan Hospital are emergency procedures. While scheduled C-sections are an option at Samaritan, most of them are performed at St. Peter’s Hospital by the obstetrician from Samaritan with whom the expectant mother has been receiving pre-natal care. It’s worth noting, a researcher at Cornell’s Program in Applied Demographics found that in New York state the average age of women giving birth to their first child has been steadily rising. In fact, the average age of a mother experiencing her first birth went up by more than a year in the last decade.

It’s well known that, after age 35, there's a higher risk of pregnancy-related complications that might lead to a C-section delivery including high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes.  Consolidating our Samaritan OB capabilities with the high-acuity labor and delivery capabilities at St. Peter’s Hospital allows us to begin creating a Center of Excellence for maternal-fetal care in the Capital Region, and positions us to most effectively address the rise in high-risk pregnancies and births associated with childbirth after age 35.

Q:  What percent of Rensselaer County residents choose a hospital outside the county for their deliveries?

A:  As you’ll see in this 2022 chart of births by hospital, 75% of Rensselaer County residents chose a hospital outside the county for their deliveries. Only 25% of total births took place in the county at Samaritan Hospital.

Q: When were government officials and community leaders notified of SPHP’s intent to file a Burdett Birth Center closure plan proposal with the NYS Department of Health?

A: On Tuesday, June 13, St. Peter’s Health Partners internally announced to colleagues and providers its intent to file a Burdett Birth Center closure plan proposal to the NYS Department of Health. Out of deference to those providing care in that location, internal meetings and communications were the first step in the notification process. Later the same day, June 13, a public announcement was made. The announcement, as requested by the Department of Health, was made nearly two months before the anticipated proposal filing date. This was intended to serve as advance notice to key stakeholders in the community, allowing time to gather and incorporate feedback into the plan. 

We have engaged or plan to engage with several of these key stakeholders to discuss our financial situation, address concerns, and partner on transition planning. This is an extraordinarily challenging time for not-for-profit health care systems, but we remain steadfast in our commitment to our mission to serve as a compassionate and transforming healing presence in our community. We are thankful to several local government officials and community groups for working with us to date and/or in the days ahead to forge the best path forward for our patients and the residents of Rensselaer County.

Q: Was this decision made by SPHP’s parent organization, Trinity Health?

A: SPHP’s affiliation with Trinity Health is instrumental in navigating the complexities of the modern health care landscape. However, our local leadership and boards have a substantial voice, and decisions such as the proposal to close the maternity unit at Samaritan Hospital are locally made, by people who understand this community. While strategic planning involves input from SPHP’s corporate parent organization, it is in collaboration with and informed by local leaders.

Furthermore, SPHP’s affiliation with Trinity Health offers access to shared services, technologies and infrastructure that would otherwise be burdensomely expensive for a standalone institution. They provide access to a scale of resources, purchasing power, reduced insurance and supply costs, and expertise that directly and indirectly benefits the local community. In short, the partnership with Trinity Health has strengthened SPHP’s ability to innovate, streamline operations and reduce costs.

Q: What is the history of the St. Peter’s Health Partners relationship with Burdett Birth Center?

A: From 2011 – 2020, the Samaritan Hospital maternity unit was a separate hospital, the Burdett Birth (Care) Center. It was formed in 2010 as part of the agreement that created St. Peter’s Health Partners. The Burdett Birth Center operated at a loss since its inception due to declining births, unfavorable payor mix, low Medicaid rates, declining referrals, and exceptional expenses (especially high malpractice expenses). By 2019, Burdett Birth Center was nearly insolvent. In an attempt to preserve maternity service in Troy, Samaritan Hospital proposed to acquire Burdett Birth Center, absorb its losses for the near term, and try to improve its finances. Burdett Birth Center merged into Samaritan in 2020. Unfortunately, in the wake of COVID, matters have worsened. The factors mentioned above – declining births, unfavorable payor mix, low Medicaid rates, declining referrals – continue to strain the Samaritan maternity service. In the recent past, Samaritan might have been able to continue to subsidize such losses in the interest of preserving the service. But Samaritan itself, and its parent St. Peter’s Health Partners, are experiencing significant post-COVID losses, and can no longer absorb maternity service losses of this magnitude. The severe health care worker shortage has also significantly impacted the maternity service. 

Q: What is the demographic breakdown of patients served by the Burdett Birth Center?

A: Collecting race and ethnicity data on all patients is an important part of making sure populations are receiving equitable access to care.  

 

Q: What are the details of the recently announced impact assessment?

A: Recent conversations with local community members and political leaders have led to SPHP’s decision to voluntarily engage an independent entity to perform an impact assessment for this proposed closure. In the coming weeks, SPHP will be working with the NYS DOH on the process of hiring a firm to conduct the assessment, and identifying necessary participants. As this has never been done previously in New York state, SPHP will be working closely with the department and the community to ensure transparency and engagement.

Q: What does this mean for employees on the unit?

A: SPHP is proud of the compassionate, high-quality care all our colleagues provide each and every day.

The Samaritan Hospital maternity unit is generally staffed with approximately 30 full-time colleagues and 15 part-time per diem roles. Should the NYS DOH approve the closure, our Human Resources staff is prepared to work with those interested colleagues to identify opportunities for them within our system of care.

Q: Do I need to find a new provider? 

A: It’s important to remember that the great bulk of care provided to women bearing children is delivered in the prenatal and postnatal setting. There will be no impact to prenatal or postnatal OB/GYN or midwifery access in Rensselaer County. The robust, high-quality care our practices provide will continue without interruption. Patients do not need to find new providers or new practices.

Samaritan OB/GYN and Capital Region Midwifery will remain open and continue to provide their unique services to patients. SPHP colleagues at those practices, including doctors, midwives, physician assistants, nurse practitioners, nurses, and support staff, are a vital community resource, and they remain committed to providing patients the same services that are offered today well into the future.

Q: What are my delivery options? 

A: Patients will continue to have access to maternity and neonatal services, which are offered in close proximity at several Capital Region hospitals, including St. Peter’s Hospital.

SPHP recognizes that traveling to St. Peter’s Hospital or other hospitals for delivery will be a challenge for some patients. SPHP currently screens for transportation access across the system, and is looking at ways to expand that further. Transportation assistance for patients who need it will be a key part of the plan moving forward.

SPHP’s goal is to provide the best experience, care, and outcomes possible for all our patients. By consolidating maternity services at St. Peter’s Hospital, the possibility that the expectant mother would need to be transferred to another hospital due to staffing challenges is mitigated. It will also reduce the need to transfer a newborn who needs NICU services. Delivering at St. Peter’s Hospital increases the likelihood that both mother and newborn can remain in the same facility, should there be a need for an additional level of care or services.

Labor and delivery services are also available at Bellevue Women’s Center, Albany Medical Center, Berkshire Medical Center and Saratoga Hospital.

Samaritan emergency department providers are capable of managing any laboring mothers who may present in the ED.

Q: How do I obtain my medical records?

A: St. Peter’s Health Partners recently launched new online request forms that allow patients to easily request copies of their medical records. For more information, visit https://www.sphp.com/for-patients/medical-records

Alternatively, medical records may be requested by completing the standard release of information form and faxing it to Samaritan Hospital at 518-649-4163. Please note, a fee may be incurred.

Health Information Management – Samaritan Hospital 
2215 Burdett Avenue 
Troy, NY 12180 
Phone: 518-271-3261 
FAX: 518-649-4163

Q: Where can I find additional community resources? 

A. As a member of Trinity Health, St. Peter's Health Partners' Community Health & Well-Being strategy promotes optimal health in the communities we serve by connecting social and clinical care, addressing social needs, dismantling systemic racism and reducing health inequities. 

St. Peter’s Health Partners reinvests in communities through financial support, screenings, education, and research. To learn more and connect with free and reduced-cost health resources and social services within the community, visit: Community Health and Well-Being Albany, New York (NY), St. Peter's Health Partners

St. Peter’s Hospital and Samaritan Hospital received an “A” rating for overall social responsibility from the Lown Institute.  The Index measures performance across three primary metrics: outcomes, value and equity.

Rankings - Lown Institute Hospital Index (lownhospitalsindex.org)