The closure of the units, announced in June, was slated for Oct. 31, affecting 72 employees. It is now slated for Dec. 31.
“As we move towards the closure of the skilled nursing facility at the CPMC St. Luke’s campus we recognize that this is an inevitably difficult process for the patients, families and employees who are impacted,” CPMC spokesperson Dean Fryer said in an emailed statement to Becker’s Hospital Review.
“With this in mind, we have begun the process of securing permission from the California Department of Public Health to extend the unit’s ‘target closure date,’ in an effort to give sufficient time for each patient and family members to consider their options and make choices that best fit their needs in a facility that can accommodate their specialized medical needs.”
Mr. Fryer said Dec. 31 is not an eviction date but rather a date required by California “that indicates a possible date by which we are able [to] identify beds in facilities that are appropriate to transfer patient[s] to, based upon their medical needs.” He added CPMC will continue to provide staff for patients cared for by the hospital and has scheduled meetings with family members of affected patients to help create a smooth transition.
Citywide coalition San Franciscans for Healthcare, Housing, Jobs and Justice, which includes California Nurses Association members, has been a vocal critic of Sutter Health’s plans. The group, which recently held a rally against the proposed closure of the units, contends the move will have a negative affect on patient care in San Francisco.
“We believe it is unconscionable to move the people who are in the sub-acute unit out of county. This is non-negotiable,” said Carolyn Goosen, legislative aide, on behalf of Supervisor Hillary Ronen at a health commission hearing, according to the CNA. “We must find an in-county solution that allows loved ones to help support and visit their family members, a solution that considers the best interests of our severely ill SF residents and their family members.”
Sutter Health’s planned closure of the two units comes as two new system hospitals are planned in San Francisco. Hospital officials have said employees affected by the plans will have job opportunities at other CPMC or other Sutter Health locations.
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