Atlantic Health and Saint Peter's Healthcare Move Towards a Strategic Partnership: A New Era of Comprehensive Care

Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter's Healthcare System have signed a letter of intent to bring Saint Peter's into Atlantic Health's care network. This strategic step aims at expanding care access and will involve significant investments in Saint Peter's. The partnership will lead to the transition of Saint Peter's onto Atlantic Health's electronic medical record system, ensuring better connectivity and patient management. Importantly, the partnership will uphold Saint Peter's Catholic-based mission, aligning with its Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Health Care Services.

A Merger to Enhance Healthcare in New Jersey

The partnership between Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter's Healthcare System is a strategic move to evolve the quality and reach of health services in central New Jersey. This merger will significantly enhance Atlantic Health’s impact in the state, giving it acute care hospitals in six counties. The partnership will ensure that Saint Peter's continues to grow as a high-quality and comprehensive health care system. This move comes after Saint Peter's terminated a definitive agreement with RWJBarnabas Health.

Investments and Upgrades

Atlantic Health System is set to make significant investments in Saint Peter's and its service area. These investments will facilitate the transition of Saint Peter's onto Atlantic Health's electronic medical record system, ensuring a seamless exchange of patient information and improved patient outcomes. The partnership is expected to create synergies, enhancing the health systems' ongoing relationship across the Healthcare Transformation Consortium.

Healthcare Transformation Consortium

The partnership will strengthen the relationship across the Healthcare Transformation Consortium, which is led by Atlantic Health. This consortium is designed to provide broader and more affordable health insurance to employees across New Jersey. Both organizations are aligned with a patient-centric perspective focused on delivering high-quality, cost-effective services to their communities.

Next Steps

The health systems are now engaging in a due diligence process, working towards a definitive agreement. Approvals from state and federal officials, as well as the Catholic Church, are required prior to a completed transaction. Sponsored by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Metuchen, Saint Peter's Healthcare System comprises a 478-bed acute care teaching hospital, a state-designated children's hospital, and regional perinatal center. Atlantic Health System, a nonprofit health system, includes seven hospitals, and Atlantic Medical Group with over 1,600 physicians and advanced practice providers.

Conclusion

This strategic partnership between Atlantic Health System and Saint Peter's Healthcare System is an exciting prospect for healthcare in New Jersey. By combining resources, technology and expertise, these two organizations aim to ensure high-quality, affordable, and accessible care remains available to all who need it. The venture signifies a new era of comprehensive healthcare, promising better patient outcomes and a more robust healthcare system.