Health care on the move
Surgery, in-patient care to move to Sun Valley; emergency care remains
in Hailey
By HANS IBOLD
Express Staff Writer
The Wood River Medical Center’s surgery and in-patient—or
overnight—services will be consolidated from the Hailey campus to the Sun Valley
campus in the next 60 days, based on a unanimous vote taken by the WRMC Board of Directors
on Thursday.
The 10-member board also voted unanimously (with two abstentions linked
to members’ conflicts of interest) to delay consolidation of emergency services until
the new hospital is open, unless the board determines there are "compelling financial
or quality reasons to reconsider earlier consolidation."
"After much debate and discussion, we voted for what we felt was
in the best interest of our entire community," said WRMC board chairwoman Kathleen
Eder.
That discussion continued to simmer until the board retreated into
executive session to vote at its regularly scheduled board meeting in the Hailey
courthouse.
Several south county residents, fearing a transfer of health care to
the north, asked the board to take more time and public comment before voting.
"I would have liked to have seen my community given more of an
opportunity to attend," said Hailey resident Pete Kramer. "I think there’s
too much business going into this and not enough people. I think today’s the wrong
day for a decision."
A former WRMC board member, attorney Terry Hogue, also asked the board
to table the decision.
"The board believed there would be no closure of any
facilities," he said. "If they didn’t think that, they wouldn’t have
voted for this. We told the public that nothing was going to happen."
In support of consolidation, operating nurse Charlene Malone declared
that "finances are the bottom line" and that health care would improve with
consolidation.
"With all surgeries scheduled in one location, our department will
be able to operate more efficiently, purchase needed equipment and provide continuing
training," Malone said. Additionally, she said, the reduction of staff on call
"is a significant morale booster."
It is estimated that the consolidation of surgery and inpatient
services will save up to $420,000 annually, according to Hilary Furlong, WRMC director of
foundations and marketing. Approximately $20,000 will be saved monthly from inpatient
consolidation, $15,000 from surgery consolidation, she said.
"These savings will fund competitive salaries, equipment, training
of staff and other needs critical to the best care for our patients," said WRMC
administrator Jon Moses.
No positions at the hospital will be eliminated as a result of the
consolidation, Moses added.
If a reconsideration of consolidation of emergency services should
occur, the WRMC board will hold public hearings before making a decision, Moses said.
