Indiana Regional Medical Center has announced the furlough of 200 employees in an effort to adjust staffing levels to match current demand. These changes will go into effect immediately and are anticipated to last through May 31, 2020.
Furloughed employees will continue to receive healthcare benefits, but will not accrue additional benefits such as PTO while on furlough. There have been a reduction of one administrative position and administrative team members have also taken voluntary pay cuts to help offset the deficits.
Given the impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on IRMC’s business, IRMC has also withdrawn its amended Last, Best and Final Offer to IRNA-PSEA dated February 18, 2019, to evaluate the recovery of volumes and assess the extent of Government relief funding initiatives.
The following is the official press release from IRMC:
Impact of COVID-19 Prompts Furlough at Indiana Regional Medical Center
Hospital Remains Open with Addition of Telemedicine, UrgiCare, Other Services
Indiana Regional Medical Center announced the furlough of 200 employees today in an effort to adjust staffing levels to match the current demand.
Many hospitals throughout the state and nation have already furloughed or laid off employees during the past month due to the impact of COVID-19 which has inhibited people from seeking medical care.
“The ultimate irony is that because of this global healthcare crisis, our normal daily operations have slowed significantly,” said Stephen A. Wolfe, President & CEO at IRMC. “We’ve seen significant declines in both the volume of outpatient and inpatient regular hospital and emergency room visits as a direct result of the pandemic.”
These changes will go into effect immediately and are anticipated to last through May 31, 2020.
Furloughed employees will continue to receive healthcare benefits, but will not accrue additional benefits such as PTO while on furlough. There has been a reduction of one administrative position and administrative team members have also taken voluntary pay cuts to help offset the deficits.
“This was one of the most difficult decisions we’ve had to make in many years,” explained Wolfe. “But we have to make changes in order to sustain operations and remain an independent healthcare provider in this current environment.”
Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bruce Bush added, “It is important to remember that bypassing regular healthcare is still not advisable. IRMC has followed CDC and PA Department of Health guidelines to the letter, and we are still ready and prepared to serve the community – no matter what your healthcare needs might be.”
Since the outset of stay-at-home restrictions, IRMC has experienced significant declines in services including:
48% Decrease in admissions
59% Decrease in outpatient testing
58% Decrease in surgeries
Given the impact that the COVID-19 crisis has had on IRMC’s business, IRMC has also withdrawn its amended Last, Best and Final Offer to IRNA-PSEA dated February 18, 2019, to evaluate the recovery of volumes and assess the extent of Government relief funding initiatives.
Telemedicine has been introduced locally for primary care, UrgiCare and some other specialties in an effort to meet the needs of the community.
