Dartmouth Health

Dartmouth Health reported a $63.5 million deficit over six months due to weather-related closures, rising labor and medication costs, and expenses outpacing revenue growth. Despite an 8% increase in operating revenues from higher patient volumes, expenses rose nearly 11%. The organization is implementing cost reductions and a financial resiliency plan to improve finances.

Gifford Medical Center in Randolph, Vermont, is the first hospital in the state to offer Sublocade, an extended-release buprenorphine injection for opioid use disorder, through its emergency department and inpatient units. The treatment, administered weekly, aims to improve accessibility by eliminating daily dosing and offering 24/7 availability.

Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center will use $900,000 in federal funds to establish an inpatient substance use treatment program in its birthing pavilion. The program will convert two private suites for withdrawal management and treatment, address rising fentanyl use among pregnant patients, and incorporate input from patients and clinicians to design a welcoming space.