The state ban on new admissions to Aliquippa's Commonwealth Medical Center will continue as the debt-ridden hospital works to complete state requirements to renew its license.

The state Department of Health had imposed a Monday deadline for the hospital to submit information required for its license renewal. But department spokeswoman Stacy Kreideman said the center "did not provide all the information required" by the deadline.

"Some documentation is incomplete and there's some missing information and additional questions on what we received," she said. "So, we are still working with the hospital. But the ban remains in place."

Hospital spokeswoman Janice Bove said the center's administrators did provide requested information to the health department by noon yesterday. Hospital President John O'Donnell could not be reached for further comment.

The ban includes inpatient, outpatient, emergency and non-emergency admissions at the Beaver County hospital, formerly known as Aliquippa Community Hospital. It initially occurred because the facility violated licensing standards and was short on essential supplies and equipment, the health department had reported.

Five patients, who were in the hospital when the admissions ban was imposed, are permitted to remain there for treatment, at their doctors' discretion, Ms. Bove said.

Other patients needing hospital care are advised to go to the Heritage Valley hospitals in Beaver and Sewickley.