EL CAJON: Service Phase-Out Stuns Foes of Scripps Hospital Closing

      Opponents of the plan to close Scripps Memorial Hospital East County this June were stunned to discover that a phasing out of operations is about to begin, the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. Chief Nurse Executive Cindy Zolnierek said in a memo to the El Cajon hospital's staff that "direct admissions from skilled nursing facilities would cease" Saturday. "I was absolutely shocked because I was out there just last Thursday and I specifically asked [if any services would be discontinued]. The answer was 'no.' We need to be told the truth," County Supervisor Dianne Jacob said. Wendell Cutting, district chief of staff to Rep. Duncan Hunter (R), was also disturbed by the news, indicating that it could damage the search for a buyer for the facility. But according to Robin Liszewski, director of communications for ScrippsHealth, no one should be surprised by the decision to phase out operations. "You need to have a plan in place so you are not full of patients the day you close," she said, adding that state and county health officials were aware of the move. According to Zolnierek's memo, no new patients will be admitted to Scripps East after 8 a.m. on June 2, and the emergency department will transfer all new patients to other facilities (Pierce, 5/4).