Ruston-based LifeCare Specialty Hospital of North Louisiana will shutter its facility and terminate all employees by June 3, according to KSLA-12 News.
The 55-bed long-term care hospital issued a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification stating the first round of layoffs is effective April 15, with all employees scheduled to be laid off by June 3, according to the report. Approximately 168 employees will be affected in total.
The WARN states LifeCare will offer severance benefits to affected employees. The hospital will also provide re-employment workshops and orientation sessions to reintroduce employees into the workforce, according to the report.
A spokesperson for LifeCare told Becker's Hospital Review the hospital began notifying employees, patients and physicians of the hospital's impending closure this week. The hospital said it has discontinued accepting new admissions and will work with physicians and caregivers to ensure patients who require ongoing care undergo a smooth transition to another facility. Area residents will reportedly continue to have access to inpatient care and specialized post-acute care at LifeCare Hospitals of Shreveport's three facilities in Louisiana.
"The healthcare industry is constantly evolving and a number of factors influenced our decision to make this change. We appreciate the dedication of our approximately 168 Ruston employees and regret this decision will affect them in a deeply personal way. We are encouraging them to apply for open positions in our other hospitals," a spokesperson for the facility said in a statement to Becker's.
Editor's Note: This article was updated April 4 at 11:40 a.m. to include the hospital's comment.