The results of the much-awaited study by health care consultant Quorum Health Resources were made public on Tuesday, and the conclusion showed that a full-service, acute-care hospital is feasible in Albert Lea.

But let’s not jump too far ahead of ourselves.

John Maher, executive vice president of Quorum Health Services, who presented the study, said there are some relatively strict conditions that have to be met for a new hospital to be a success.

Right now, Mayo Clinic Health System has a dominant market share in Albert Lea — greater than 80 percent for inpatient services and greater than 90 percent for outpatient services, according to Maher’s research. A new entity would need to capture significant market share to be successful.

On top of that, Maher said a significant amount of money — $60 million to $80 million as an estimate — would be needed to acquire the existing hospital (if it was for sale) or to build a new one.

Then once up and running, the hospital would need to operate very efficiently, within a 10 to 12 percent EBIDA — earnings before interest, depreciation and amortization — margin.

Though we are not against having competition — and would support having as many local services as possible — we also recognize this is a large undertaking.

We believe at this stage in the game, city and county leaders should keep all of their options open.

Continue discussions and negotiations with Mayo leaders about keeping services here while also still diligently pursuing talks with other providers.

We would hate to put all of the community’s eggs in one basket, only for something to happen and there be no health care options remaining.