Shriners Children's Shreveport to Adopt New Model of Patient Care

In a move designed to better reflect changes in healthcare delivery, Shriners Children’s Shreveport will adopt an outpatient clinic-based patient care model. The transition is expected to take place November 1, 2022.

In a clinic care model, inpatient and outpatient surgeries will be performed by Shriners Children’s physicians at other local healthcare facilities or at sister Shriners Children’s facilities in other cities. Outpatient visits, including initial appointments and follow-up care, will continue via the facility’s location at 3100 Samford Avenue.

In addition to outpatient clinic visits, Shriners Children’s Shreveport will continue to offer ancillary services related to outpatient care, including on-site radiology, physical and occupational therapy, motion analysis, child life, and orthotics and prosthetics.

The decision for the facility to transition to a clinic-based care approach is reflective of an overall nationwide move towards outpatient-oriented care, a trend in which facilities see declining need for overnight, inpatient care.

“Healthcare is changing, and we are changing with it in a manner that will enhance the care we provide while making the most of resources available to us,” said Mel Bower, chief communications and marketing officer for Shriners Children’s.

“By partnering with local healthcare facilities, we will be able to continue the outstanding surgical care that has defined our system for over 100 years, while taking advantage of the additional amenities and efficiencies involved with conducting surgical care at off-site, full-service locations. What will not change is our mission to bring outstanding service to patients and families throughout the total trajectory of their care.”

The transition of Shriners Children’s Shreveport from an inpatient acute care hospital to an outpatient clinic model will involve the cessation of in-house surgical/related services and a reduction in the overall workforce at the facility. Since first making the transition announcement to employees earlier this year, the facility has worked with other area healthcare providers to offer regular in-house recruitment/engagement opportunities for affected staff members. Severance packages are being offered to affected staff members based on years of service with the facility.

New patient appointments and physician referrals will continue to be managed via the facility’s intake line at 318-226-3314. All care and services at Shriners Children’s Shreveport are provided regardless of a family’s ability to pay or insurance status.