COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – Business this year at the emergency room of the Community Health Center of Branch County is in decline compared to 2016, but the hospital in Coldwater says it’s a temporary problem. Dr. David Fuchs, emergency room director at CHC for the past 9 years, discussed ER services as the guest speaker at last Thursday’s meeting of the Coldwater Township Sunrise Rotary Club.
Fuchs was asked about the 10% drop off in ER visits in light of insurance companies reportedly advising their customers to use alternatives such as Prompt Care because it may cost less than the emergency room. Fuchs said the Community Health Center has to be staffed for any type of ER patient that arrives at the hospital while other places don’t have similar requirements.
He told Sunrise Rotarians that ultimately, he believes the Health Center’s reputation will carry them through this and he expects their ER business to at least stay where it is or maybe increase. Fuchs said Toledo-based ProMedica, which will take over ownership of CHC in January 2018, is very much aware of the situation.
According to Fuchs, the emergency room in Coldwater sees about 23,000 people a year, or nearly 70 patients every day.
