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39 Gastroenterology Clinton Hospital Plans to Close Endoscopy Services: 5 Things to Know By Laura Dyrda U Mass Memorial Health Alliance-Clinton (Mass.) Hospital revealed plans to close its endoscopy services last week, giving less than three weeks' notice before the closure, according to a statement from the Massachusetts Nurses Association. e MNA sent a letter to the state Department of Public Health asking for intervention in the closing, as the hospital's nurses feel its endoscopy services are essential to diagnose and treat colorectal cancer and other gastrointestinal conditions. e nurses argue under state law, providers are required to notify DPH of plans to close a specific service, allowing the agency time to determine whether services are essential to the commu- nity. e law also requires a minimum of 90 days' notice before the services are closed so DPH can conduct a public hearing. According to the report, Health Alliance Management told nurses last week the unit would close, and many attended a pub- lic forum on the changes yesterday. Here are five things to know about the closure: 1. Initially, Health Alliance Management announced the hospital would close endoscopy services Jan. 26. However, aer the public forum Clinton Hospital's CEO Deborah Wymouth agreed to a further hearing and Clinton Hospital informed MNA it would postpone the closing for the 90-day period, ac- cording to e Telegram. If the endoscopy services department closes, six registered nurses as well as a licensed practical nurse and other support staff would be laid off from the hospital. At least one of the nurses has worked in endoscopy services at the hospital for more than 15 years. 2. Clinton Hospital made a significant investment in the endos- copy service two years ago with the purchase of new diagnostic equipment. e equipment also increased the number of physi- cians who utilized the service. 3. In October 2017, Clinton Hospital merged with UMass Health Alliance, which also owns Leominster (Mass.) Hospital and Burbank (Mass.) Hospital. e healthcare organization reported plans last year to stop infusion services at the day sur- gery center, preceding the endoscopy services closure at Clinton Hospital. 4. MNA's chair at Clinton Hospital is concerned the closure is an attempt to consolidate services at other facilities, which would require local residents to travel farther for care. "e state has rightfully established a process to follow to protect the public when services are closed and we believe our administration should follow that process," she said. 5. UMass Health Alliance reportedly informed MNA the organization didn't have an obligation to notify DPH of the closure. n Ohio Pediatric Gastroenterologist Guilty of Sexual Offenses — 4 Insights By Laura Dyrda F ormer Dayton (Ohio) Children's Hospital pediatric gastro- enterologist Arun Aggarwal, MD, pleaded guilty to four counts of gross sexual imposition in an Ohio county court Dec. 21, 2017, Dayton Daily News reports. Here's what you should know: 1. Dr. Aggarwal initially pled not guilty to sexually assaulting two teenage pediatric patients, but changed his plea to guilty to enter into a plea agreement. 2. The plea agreement will keep Dr. Aggarwal in prison for 10 total months, counting the four months he already served toward the total. 3. When released, Dr. Aggarwal will voluntarily return to India or will be involuntarily deported. 4. Dr. Aggarwal will also have to register as a Tier 1 sexual offender. He will not be allowed within 1,000 feet of a school, preschool or daycare in the U.S. He also must register any U.S.- based address in a sexual offender database. n Pennsylvania Hospital to Acquire Central Penn Gastroenterology Associates — 3 Things to Know By Eric Oliver E vangelical Community Hospital will acquire Central Penn Gastroenterology Associates, effective July 2, The Daily Item reports. Both organizations are based in Lewisburg, Pa. Here's what you should know: 1. The acquisition will include the practice, endoscopy center and real estate. All providers and employees on staff will con- tinue in their current positions. 2. Vladimir Petorak, Jr., MD, and Joseph Gallagher, MD, as well as two nurse practitioners make up the healthcare staff. 3. The center is Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care accredited. It was also recognized by the Ameri- can Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy as a center for excellence. Dr. Petorak said, "Central Penn GI has enjoyed a solid and col- laborative working relationship with Evangelical over the years. This acquisition will take both the practice and the hospital to the next level of care; we look forward to joining the team. n