January 28, 2025
Star Lake, NY – Clifton-Fine Hospital, located in Southern St. Lawrence County, is excited to announce a critical step forward in its commitment to the health and well-being of our community. Facing the challenges of a shrinking rural population, Clifton-Fine Hospital has been experiencing low inpatient volumes and insufficient revenue for years.
In light of these challenges, Clifton-Fine Hospital has transitioned to a Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation, a program developed to help rural hospitals continue to serve their communities while adapting to the changing healthcare landscape. This decision follows a thorough analysis using a detailed financial model provided by the REH Technical Assistance Center, which demonstrated that the REH model would be a viable and favorable solution for Clifton-Fine Hospital’s long-term sustainability.
As an REH, Clifton-Fine Hospital will no longer provide inpatient care, but will continue to offer a comprehensive range of essential services for the community, including:
- 24/7 Emergency Services
- Observation level of care
- Primary Care and Behavioral Health Services
- Laboratory Testing
- Radiology Services
- Physical and Occupational Therapy
To further enhance access to care, we are also introducing a new Walk-In Convenient Care Clinic alongside the REH conversion. This new outpatient service line will provide the entire community with convenient, high-quality healthcare for non-emergency needs.
While the shift to REH has led to changes in staffing models, Clifton-Fine Hospital is confident that this transition will ensure the continued provision of vital healthcare services, employment opportunities, and economic stability for our community for years to come. This change represents a new chapter in our hospital’s history, one that is centered on resilience, innovation, and the unwavering commitment to the health of those we serve.
We thank our patients, partners, and staff for their support as we navigate this transformation, and we remain dedicated to meeting the healthcare needs of Southern St. Lawrence County.