Ellwood City Medical Center in Lawrence County has laid off 92 of its 171 employees due to the closing of its emergency department and inpatient facilities, according to several sources.

In a social media post Thursday, state Rep. Aaron Bernstine, R-10th, said he talked to hospital management and the state Department of Health and was told about the layoffs.

The layoffs come after the Health Department recently ordered a temporary closure of the hospital's emergency department and inpatient services, citing alleged violations of unspecified health and safety violations as the department and hospital work to bring the facility back into compliance. The hospital is permitted to continue seeing patients on an outpatient basis.

According to Bernstine, laid-off employees who are customers of Ellwood Electric can contact Ellwood City Borough to set up bill payment plans, and his office is trying to set up job fairs with other health care facilities exclusively for the displaced employees.

He said his office will help the laid-off employees file unemployment compensation claims.

Sen. Elder Vogel Jr., R-47th, also said his office is prepared to assist any employees or residents in light of the layoffs.

The hospital could not be reached for comment Thursday evening.