Outpatient surgery center closing at Baptist Health-Fort Smith

Baptist Health-Fort Smith is closing its outpatient surgery center in Fort Smith. The action could include the loss of 25 jobs.

Jeff Carrier, region president for Baptist Health Fort Smith & Van Buren confirmed that the system was closing the Baptist Health Ambulatory Surgery Center on Towson Avenue that is in a separate building from the main hospital.

“As a healthcare system, we continually seek opportunities for improvement without compromising the high-quality care our patients deserve. As we find these opportunities, we are making changes. One opportunity is integrating the operations of our ambulatory surgery center with our main hospital operating rooms,” Carrier said.

The consolidation is expected to enhance Baptist’s service efficiency while maintaining its “commitment to delivering exceptional patient care,” Carrier said.

Approximately 25 employees will be affected by closing the center, he said.

“We understand the impact of this decision and are committed to supporting the approximately 25 employees affected through this transition. It is our hope that many, if not all, of these employees would fill other needed positions within Baptist Health,” Carrier said.

Baptist Health administration is evaluating how best to use the space in the future, he said.

“We are working with our patients and care providers to ensure a smooth transition of future procedures to the hospital setting. Baptist Health remains deeply committed to serving the River Valley community,” Carrier said.

Little Rock-based Baptist Health has more than 250 points of access that include 12 hospitals; urgent care centers; a senior living community; over 100 primary and specialty care clinics; a college with studies in nursing and allied health; and a graduate residency program. Baptist Health-Fort Smith joined Baptist Health in November 2018.