St. Mary’s Health System in Lewiston is suspending its intensive care unit services by the end of the year.
A spokesperson for St. Mary’s said that, on average, the ICU only cares for one patient a day and it doesn’t make sense to duplicate services that other hospitals nearby provide.
The health system said it’s focusing on the most urgent needs of the community, and has expanded mental health services by adding a psychiatric nurse practitioner at all of its primary care locations.
St Mary’s is also adding a day program at its hospital next year that aims to help psychiatric patients transition from inpatient to outpatient care.
This article appears through a media partnership with Maine Public.
