Seven positions at Upper Allegheny Health System were consolidated and restructured in what a spokesman said is a move to “adapt to the current climate and organizational needs.”
Upper Allegheny Health System spokesman Joseph Fuglewicz didn’t specify which positions were involved, or which hospital — Bradford Regional Medical Center or Olean (N.Y.) General Hospital — was impacted.
“We’ve made transformational changes throughout UAHS with consolidating positions and expanding responsibilities,” he said. “Positions were consolidated and roles were expanded with no staff member losing their job.”
Many people on social media who identified themselves as current and former BRMC employees said the positions impacted at BRMC were an outpatient nurse, case management nurse and nursing supervision positions. Fuglewicz declined to respond when asked if that was accurate.
He did say the changes will be positive.
“The consolidation not only will improve efficiency but will allow us to continue to displace agency staff that continue to be a financial burden across the entire system,” he said. “All seven employees were offered open positions within UAHS. We’re in the process of transforming our healthcare system to something viable as we look towards the future.”
He explained what’s happening overall in UAHS.
“Upper Allegheny Health System continues to work diligently to improve operations and efficiency to remain financially sustainable,” he said. “Rural hospitals across the nation are making similar changes every day to survive.”
While members of the public on social media voiced concerns over the impact of the changes, Fuglewicz assured that hospital officials are always cognizant of quality.
“We wouldn’t implement a change if it threatened the quality of care we provide as this is, and will always be, our main priority,” he said. “We want success in our healthcare system and are optimistic this transformation will help with improving services while being fiscally responsible.”
He acknowledged that changes like this are unpopular.
“These transformations are difficult but necessary to advance BRMC as an organization with a solid financial future that allows us to invest in growth opportunities,” he said.
There’s a lot to look forward to in Bradford, Fuglewicz added.
“The reopening of the vascular lab and the onboarding of a new vascular surgeon is one opportunity that the Bradford campus will see in the coming months,” he said. “Our sleep lab on the Bradford campus has expanded operations with the recent addition of two new observation rooms, allowing the service to increase sleep studies by 50% every month.
“Our psychiatric and dual diagnosis units also continue to increase capacity for very essential services in this region. All growth opportunities are being explored to reposition us for success.”
Fuglewicz pointed out that Upper Allegheny is in the same position as hospitals all across the country, all of which are feeling the crunch of similar factors.
“When evaluating the current healthcare industry, we’re not alone in making operational changes to combat the multiple factors that are negatively impacting financial sustainability; lowered reimbursement rates, higher costs, and staffing shortages,” he said. “We must be bold on how we approach these challenges and embrace the change or we risk being left behind.”
Since BRMC and OGH consolidated, residents in Bradford have been worried that they are losing the facility here, something which UAHS officials have continued to deny.
Fuglewicz said, “Our administration is committed to keeping a financially sustainable hospital and healthcare system in Bradford and transforming our model while growing the necessary services is essential to our success.”
