Mount Vernon, Wash.-based Skagit Regional Health confirmed it is reducing its workforce to try to lower labor expenses.
Here are six things to know.
1. The health system, which includes Skagit Valley Hospital, Cascade Valley Hospital and 19 clinics in three counties, eliminated about 76 full-time equivalent positions as of Feb. 14, hospital officials said in a news release. The reduction includes 36 positions eliminated through attrition.
2. Overall, Skagit Regional said 94 employees were affected by a full or partial workforce reduction.
3. The system expects additional modest FTE reductions through restructuring various clinical and nonclinical departments. It did not specify which departments will be affected.
4. Brian Ivie, president and CEO of Skagit Regional, attributed the workforce reduction to "our current economic situation and the strategic goals of the organization." Skagit Regional saw financial losses of $4 million in 2016 and $13 million in 2017, according to the release.
5. In June, Skagit Regional revealed it would reduce its workforce to offset losses. Since then, the system said it compared its departments and positions to industry benchmarks.
6. Mr. Ivie called the system's approach "meticulous."
"We have handled this process in a thoughtful way and are mindful of the impacts these decisions have on people. It is our goal to reduce labor costs and return to financial stability, while also continuing to provide the full continuum of healthcare services our communities look to us to offer," he said.
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