LAKEPORT ? Sutter Lakeside Hospital laid off 17 people Monday and reduced two other employees” hours.
A drop in hospital patients in the past few years led to a drop in revenue so that the number of employees per patient exceeded the hospital”s budget, said Siri Nelson, chief administrative officer for the hospital.
“This is part of an overall turnaround plan for the hospital,” Nelson said. “We”re not trying to right low patient volume with only staff reductions. That”s only one part.”
The employees who were laid off did not have direct patient care, Nelson said. Six people worked in managerial positions and others in support jobs.
Patient volume dropped 28 percent since 2007 partly because patients go home now in fewer days than in the past, Nelson said.
Nelson said she thinks the economy may cause people to postpone health care because they can”t afford it or they”re worried about taking time off work.
Public relations director Tammi Silva said the hospital is looking to reduce costs and provide service more efficiently.
In mid-December hospital administration informed staff they could volunteer to be laid off, Nelson said. A few people took the offer and Nelson thinks more people may come forward.
The hospital eliminated jobs based on whether other employees could take over responsibilities of those positions, Nelson said. She said the people laid off were not eliminated for their performance.
Laid off employees can apply for other jobs at the hospital if they”re qualified and are given preferential hiring in the Sutter Hospital system, Nelson said.
Sutter has a few hospitals in Sacramento, Sutter Medical Center in Santa Rosa and the Medical Foundation in Lake County and Sonoma County.
Silva said although the hospital made a tough decision by laying off workers, 380 people are still employed at Sutter Lakeside Hospital.
“We tried to do this with respect and dignity,” Nelson said. “We made the decision with the best intent for Sutter Lakeside Hospital.”
Contact Katy Sweeny at ksweeny@record-bee.com or call her directly at 263-5636, ext. 37.
