Aspirus Health will transition the surgical services program at Aspirus Iron River Hospital in Michigan to a day-only schedule, effective Oct. 26, the health system confirmed in a statement shared with Becker’s.
The Wausau, Wis.-based health system said the change follows a thoughtful review and aims to direct resources where community needs are greatest.
Over the past three years, Aspirus Iron River Hospital has experienced a sharp decline in after-hours cases, according to the health system. So far this year, there have only been five emergency after-hours cases.
Aspirus said this trend underscores why the decision is the right choice and emphasized that current employees will be retained. Those employees will continue to serve in the hospital’s surgical program.
“This transition helps us preserve other essential services – such as emergency care, inpatient care, primary and specialty physician care, laboratory, imaging, and rehabilitation and therapy services – that are in much higher demand,” Aspirus added.
The decision comes amid broader staffing and service shifts at the health system, which have drawn concern from the Michigan Nurses Association. MNA-represented nurses at Iron River Hospital, who are in negotiations with management, plan to hold a rally Oct. 17 “to advocate for a fair contract and protest Aspirus’s continued cuts.” MNA-represented nurses at Aspirus Ironwood Hospital also voted Oct. 15 to reject a contract proposal from their employer.
In September, Aspirus announced plans to reduce staff by seven certified nursing assistant roles in areas where the system has implemented care delivery changes. The MNA has said in news releases that the affected CNAs work at Iron River Hospital, a critical access facility, and that the hospital is adding responsibilities to the charge nurse helping on the emergency and medical-surgical units.
Aspirus also plans to end labor and delivery services at its Ironwood Hospital and Clinics on Dec. 31 as part of a new service model at the Michigan facility.
“Having safe staffing at all times is our top priority,” Nicole Fedie-Zaupa, an Iron River nurse who is co-president of the local MNA union, said in a news release. “Ending surgeries overnight will send patients even farther away in an emergency. These continued cuts are unacceptable and disrespectful to the [Upper Peninsula]. Aspirus needs to invest in nurses and invest in our community instead of making cuts at every turn.”
“We understand some of our decisions have caused concern,” Aspirus said. “But the only real concern should arise if Aspirus chose not to make smart, thoughtful decisions about care delivery. We are devoted to making the right choices that will keep high quality care within the reach of everyone within the U.P.”
