Taos (N.M.) Health Systems plans to lay off 44 employees due to shrinking inpatient volumes and reimbursements.
"Our census data indicates our staffing levels have not been in line with our patient volume," Ron Burnham, board chair of Taos Health Systems, said in a news release. "We can't afford to staff for what-ifs and extremes. As healthcare continues to change due to healthcare reform and the American economy, we have no choice but to change the way we do business."
The system has seen a shift in where patients are receiving care: three years ago, patient volumes were split evenly between inpatient and outpatient settings; now, outpatient services account for more than 70 percent of patient volume.
In addition to changing patient volumes, the hospital has also been affected by changes in federal and state reimbursements, according to the release. The combination of issues led to the workforce reduction.
According to the system, the layoffs will not affect patient safety, since most units are currently overstaffed.
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