Prime Healthcare Completes Purchase of Lower Bucks Hospital, Its Second Hospital in Pennsylvania

ONTARIO, Calif., Oct. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Prime Healthcare Services announced today that it has completed the purchase of Lower Bucks Hospital, a 156-bed acute care hospital located in Bristol, Pennsylvania. This is Prime Healthcare's second acquisition in Pennsylvania. 

Lower Bucks Hospital is a leading hospital located in historic Bristol, Pennsylvania. The hospital was founded by a community grassroots movement in 1954.  With more than 400 physicians and over 1,400 employees and volunteers, the hospital is known for its outstanding medical staff, skilled and compassionate nurses, the very latest in advanced technology and a state-of-the-art, beautifully wooded 36-acre medical campus.

"This just completed acquisition, along with the earlier one of Roxborough Memorial Hospital, will allow Prime Healthcare to continue following its mission of saving hospitals, saving jobs and saving lives in the state of Pennsylvania," said Prem Reddy, MD, FACC, FCCP, Chairman, President and CEO of Prime Healthcare Services.

Prime Healthcare will maintain all services, including the emergency department, invest at least $10 million for needed capital improvements, and hire all employees and maintain all collective bargaining agreements. In addition, Prime Healthcare will form a local governing board, consisting of medical staff and community leaders, assume all healthcare contracts and liabilities and provide the same level of charity care for indigent and low-income patients.

"Lower Bucks Hospital is a vital healthcare provider in this community," said Albert Mezzaroba, President and CEO of Lower Bucks Hospital. "With the experience that Prime Healthcare brings, as one of the Top 15 Health Systems in the nation, the hospital will continue its mission of delivering high quality healthcare in a cost effective manner."

Prime Healthcare Services

Ontario, CA-based Prime Healthcare Services (www.primehealthcare.com), with a motto of "Saving Hospitals, Saving Jobs and Saving Lives," is one of the largest hospital companies in the nation. 

Prime Healthcare was recognized as one of the "15 Top Health Systems in the Nation" in 2012 by Thomson Reuters, based on quality of healthcare and patient satisfaction. It was also recognized as a top health system in 2009. Five Prime Healthcare hospitals were ranked among the "100 Top Hospitals in the Nation" in 2012 by Thomson Reuters. Eight Prime Healthcare hospitals earned national recognition as "Top Performer on Key Quality Measures," (Top 18 percent), in 2012 from The Joint Commission, the leading Medicare accreditation organization in the country.

Through their subsidiaries, Prime Healthcare Services and the non-profit Prime Healthcare Foundation have more than 15,000 employees and own and operate 20  acute-care hospitals: Alvarado Hospital Medical Center, Centinela Hospital Medical Center, Chino Valley Medical Center, Desert Valley Hospital, Encino Hospital Medical Center, Garden Grove Hospital Medical Center, Huntington Beach Hospital, La Palma Intercommunity Hospital, Montclair Hospital Medical Center, Paradise Valley Hospital, San Dimas Community Hospital, Shasta Regional Medical Center, Sherman Oaks Hospital and West Anaheim Medical Center – in California, Saint Mary's Regional Medical Center – in Nevada, Lower Bucks Hospital and Roxborough Memorial Hospital - in Pennsylvania, Dallas Medical Center, Harlingen Medical Center and Pampa Regional Medical Center - in Texas.

SOURCE Prime Healthcare Services