San Juan Regional Medical Center, a 194-bed, level 3 trauma center based in Farmington, N.M., laid off 78 employees to reduce costs and increase bill collections, according to the Farmington Daily Times.
The layoffs represent 5 percent of the hospital's workforce and won't affect existing hospital services or clinics, hospital public relations coordinator Laura Werbner told the newspaper June 27.
Hospital CEO Jeff Bourgeois attributed the move to financial issues resulting from lower inpatient admissions, fewer patients with commercial health plans and other factors.
"San Juan County and the Four Corners have experienced considerable economic turmoil over the last several years. We have witnessed cutbacks in nearly every industry. Unfortunately, our organization is not immune to these same financial challenges," he told the Daily Times.
The hospital said the layoffs are part of an overall initiative focused on "tighter productivity standards," reducing costs and payment collection.
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