Shriner's Hospital for Children

Shriners Hospital for Children in Minneapolis, which provides free orthopedic treatment, is developing plans to move away from hospital care and focus instead on same-day surgeries and outpatient services, according to a statement issued by its board chairman.

The 95-year-old hospital nearly closed in 2003 as part of a systemwide restructuring, but a local spokeswoman said that the facility is in no danger of closing and will continue to provide same-day services, which represents the bulk of its care.

“We are changing with the times and with orthopedic services in general,” said Erin Jurkovich, director of professional relations at the Minneapolis Shriners’ facility.

In a statement to the Upper Midwest Shriners’ community, Roger Robinson, chairman of the board of governors, said more efforts will be made to reach children throughout the region, including the use of telemedicine and affiliating with other health care organizations.

“We are not closing the Twin Cities hospital,” Robinson said in the statement. “The only change is for the inpatient procedures, in which case we will shift them to other partnering facilities just as we are currently doing in some cases.”

Advances in orthopedic procedures have reduced the need for patients to remain hospitalized for observation and monitoring.