Mayo Regional Hospital signs interim agreement with EMHS
DOVER-FOXCROFT — Mayo Regional Hospital has signed an interim agreement with Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems (EMHS). This non-binding agreement follows a substantial amount of work completed since August when Mayo Regional Hospital submitted a letter of intent with the Brewer-based health system. While the interim agreement does not commit Mayo Regional Hospital or EMHS to any particular end result, it does acknowledge the potential opportunities for a closer relationship. It also provides a legal framework and timeline for each organization to do what is necessary to further define that relationship.
During the past seven months, representatives of Mayo Regional Hospital and EMHS have met regularly to discuss what a closer relationship might look like, and determine how to best build on the strong clinical foundation that now exists between the two organizations.
For the past several years Mayo Regional Hospital’s Board of Trustees (Hospital Administrative District 4 which is comprised of members from 13 towns) has considered strategies to assure a strong future for the hospital.
In the spring of 2016, Mayo Regional Hospital sent a request for proposals to health systems identified as potentially appropriate for a closer relationship and what that might look like. The board liked what EMHS had to say, found the system’s mission (to partner with individuals and communities to improve health and well-being by providing high quality, cost effective services) to be highly compatible with Mayo Regional Hospital . Additionally as health care continues to move toward population health, which centers on ease of quality of life issues like access, quality of care, cost-efficiency and wellness, Mayo Regional Hospital liked EMHS’ assertion that long-term success and sustainability depend on the ability to keep as many services as possible close to home, in the local community hospital setting. This will ultimately lead to lower costs, improved access, and importantly, the core elements of the high patient satisfaction and excellent patient experience that Mayo Regional Hospital is known for.
Mayo Regional Hospital is exceedingly proud to be consistently recognized for quality, including being named a top hospital by The Leapfrog Group, and earning a state of Maine Safety and Health Award for Public Employers. Hospital officials believe a closer relationship with EMHS will allow Mayo Regional Hospital to thrive and grow and ensure the people of Piscataquis County have access to quality care close to home.