CHW Now Dignity Health

San Francisco-based Catholic Healthcare West has changed its name to Dignity Health to appeal to a broader patient audience.

The new structure and name is more conducive to efforts to grow into a national system that welcomes both Catholic and non-Catholic care centers into the system, according to its website.

The system’s long-term strategic plan also calls for more integrated care to enhance quality and reduce costs.

All existing Catholic hospitals or those that are absorbed into the system will continue to be Catholic and follow the ethical and religious directives for Catholic Health Care Services, the site states.

The non-Catholic facilities will remain non-Catholic and follow the statement of common values.

The hospital system had $4.2 billion of debt as of June 2010, according to its most recent comprehensive annual financial report.

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Healthcare industry California
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