Citing a significant loss of patient volume and revenue shortfall, Mount Nittany Health, which has medical facilities, outpatient centers and physician group locations in Centre, Mifflin and Lycoming Counties, said it will eliminate approximately 50 positions over the next three weeks.
Mount Nittany Health said in a statement that the restructuring of its management and administrative staff is due to “the operational and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.” The healthcare provider said that over the past three months it saw volume decreases ranging between 50% and 80% in every part of patient care, including admissions, ER visits, outpatient visits and surguries.
The decreases in those services resulted in a $30 million revenue deficit, the statement said.
Mount Nittany Health President and CEO Kathleen Rhine said Mount Nittany Health faces “the same challenges as other healthcare systems across the country” and emphasized that the system has implemented safety practices and introduced telemedicine as it resumes non-emergency and elective services.
Elective surgeries had been on hold during the coronavirus outbreak, which has kept patients waiting and put financial pressure on hospitals. The Pennsylvania Department of Health announced on April 27 that hospitals may resume elective surgeries and procedures as long as they don’t jeopardize the safety of hospital staff and patients.
In April, Penn Highlands Healthcare, which has five rural hospitals in DuBois, Brookville, Clearfield, Huntingdon and St. Marys, cut 600 staff due to financial losses.
Mount Nittany Health’s Rhine said people should seek care if they need it.
“We will continue to monitor operations and adapt in order to ensure we remain well positioned to serve the community,” Rhine said.
