St. Vincent shuffles staff; layoffs possible

7/3/2008

St. Vincent Mercy Medical Center began staffing changes yesterday that will affect about 80 employees and could result in the layoffs of 30 to 40 after union job bumping, attrition, and job eliminations are completed, a spokesman said.

The changes involve several departments and result from factors including fewer elective surgeries, a shift to more outpatient procedures, a decline in medical insurance reimbursements, rising technology and labor costs, and a growing base of uninsured patients, said Megan Manahan, of Mercy Health Partners.

St. Vincent is working with the United Auto Workers, which represents 1,200 nurses at the hospital. The changes, which could take a week to complete, may include reduced hours or reassignments, Ms. Manahan said. Some workers will be offered jobs at five other area facilities owned by Mercy Health Partners.