Providence Hospitals still considering sale, partnership possibilities

Providence Hospitals in Columbia has acknowledged it is looking for the proper pairing with another health care entity or entities, but when asked Friday about speculation on an imminent sale, the hospital issued the same statement it has for months.

“We are exploring innovative strategies and relationships with physicians and other health systems to sustain and grow our niche services into the future,” according to the statement. “There is no information to share beyond this statement.”

Providence Hospitals, owned by Ohio-based Sisters of Charity Health System, operates Providence Hospital in Columbia and Providence Orthopedic Hospital in Northeast Richland. After losing about $1.7 million in 2011, the hospital’s bottom line improved with profits of $21.7 million in 2012 and $20 million in 2013, according to the S.C. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Data website.

The hospital industry is going through a major shakeout as it deals with provisions of the Affordable Care Act. In the past year, Tennessee-based Community Health Systems bought Gaffney Medical Center and sold Chesterfield General Hospital, Marlboro Park Hospital in Bennettsville and Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center in Hartsville.

Meanwhile, Tennessee-based Capella Healthcare worked out a clinical partnership with MUSC to run the Hartsville hospital. Consideration of a similar deal with Kershaw Health in Camden has been extended until May 31 to work out final details.

This story was originally published April 24, 2015 at 8:00 AM with the headline "Providence Hospitals still considering sale, partnership possibilities."