Pine Grove Ambulatory Surgical Center closed earlier this month.

Pine Grove Ambulatory Surgical Center, LLC, in Russell, unexpectedly closed its doors on Dec.18. While the company released a statement on its Facebook page, it offered no explanation for the sudden closure.

“After nearly two decades of dedicated service to our community, the Pine Grove Ambulatory Surgical Center will close its doors on December 19, 2024. It’s been an incredible journey, and we are so grateful to the patients, families, and healthcare professionals who have been a part of it.

“To our patients: if you need access to your medical records, please feel free to do so during regular business hours before January 10, 2025. After this date, you can find more details about how to obtain your records by calling 814-757-5819 … or email cherylm@pinegroveasc.com for questions or assistance.”

However, information from the state Department of Health shows the location closed following a series of safety violations identified during a recent inspection that the facility failed to bring up to code.

An Oct. 8, relicensure survey revealed significant deficiencies in the center’s fire safety, sprinkler system, and oxygen storage protocols. These violations posed potential risks to both patients and staff.

The survey identified fire safety risks, including a hazardous ground-floor storage room door that failed to latch properly, compromising the building’s fire containment measures.

Deficiencies in the sprinkler system were also observed. A missing sprinkler head cap and a non-compliant backflow relief drain were discovered. Additionally, a critical backflow valve failed to maintain pressure, and necessary sprinkler system tools were not on-site.

Finally, unsafe gas storage was noted, with an unsecured oxygen tank in the ground-floor storage room violating national gas storage standards.

The facility implemented several immediate measures, including door repairs and sprinkler system adjustments, but failed to bring the building up to code.

The center’s closure highlights the importance of strict adherence to safety protocols in healthcare facilities.

While some corrections were implemented following the inspection, the facility had not yet completed all required actions.

A full report can be found at: https://sais.health.pa.gov/CommonPOC/Content/PublicWeb/ltc-survey.asp?Facid=21361501&PAGE=1&SurveyType=L