By AP/KWMU
East St. Louis, Ill. – The only hospital in East St. Louis' will soon begin turning away trauma victims at its emergency room. It's part of an effort to save money and keep the hospital open.
The Southern Illinois Healthcare Foundation, which operates Kenneth Hall Regional Hospital, says the facility will no longer treat patients with the most serious injuries.
Starting February 1, the hospital will direct those patients to trauma hospitals in St. Louis.
Spokeswoman Ronda Sauget says the move will save the nonprofit foundation $1.5 million a year.
East St. Louis Mayor Alvin Parks says the move is part of the hospital owners' efforts to close down the hospital and merge it with another five miles away in Centreville.
The Illinois Health Facilities Planning Board in Springfield must approve any merger request.