A MercyOne affiliate hospital in eastern Nebraska is abruptly closing, largely because of low inpatient and emergency department volumes, Becker’s Hospital Review reported. MercyOne Oakland Medical Center, which is located 70 miles northwest of Omaha, will halt inpatient admissions and close its emergency department effective July 1. Both MercyOne Oakland and Lyons Family Medicine clinics will remain open. MercyOne Oakland has seen declining use for a number of years, according to a news release. Beth Hughes, president of the Western Iowa region for West Des Moines-based MercyOne, said: “The decision to close a hospital may be the most difficult one a health system ever faces. We care deeply about our patients and the communities we serve, and this is something we take very seriously.” Hughes said MercyOne will focus on its clinics in Oakland and possibly build a replacement medical practice in the area.