Most pediatric services to continue after Grand River pulls inpatient providers from Finley

Officials for a Dubuque hospital say most of its pediatric services will continue after Grand River Medical Group pediatricians opted out of providing inpatient care there. Earlier this month, UnityPoint Health-Finley Hospital announced in a joint statement that it no longer will provide inpatient pediatric care due to Grand River Medical Group pediatricians stopping the service. Leaders at Dubuque’s other hospital, MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center, said they are prepared to meet pediatric inpatient needs, though a significant increase is not anticipated.  Russell Adams, chief medical officer for UnityPoint Health’s Waterloo, Iowa, and Dubuque markets said several pediatric services at the hospital are unaffected. Children who are younger than a month old can be admitted to the Finley neonatal intensive care unit, but infants older than that are considered pediatric patients and would be transferred to another facility. Adams said the transfer process is unique to each patient and their needs. A statement from Grand River Medical Group CEO to staff this month states transfers most likely will occur with UnityPoint Health facilities in Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, or Waterloo.