Provident Hospital will stop accepting ambulance runs to its emergency room starting Saturday as a cost-cutting measure to save money.
Patients will now be diverted to six nearby hospitals, including The University of Chicago Medical Center. U. of C. officials say the changes at Provident could bring up to 10 more ambulances a day, which means increased wait times for some urgent patients.
Cook County Health and Hospitals System spokesman Lucio Guerrero says the change is part of a strategic plan to provide more outpatient services at Provident.
Provident has informed the Illinois Department of Public Health of its intent to drop to the lowest level of emergency services. The Chicago Fire Department also has been informed.
