UNMC’s hospital partner, The Nebraska Medical Center, will make adjustments in staff by the end of the year.
The majority of positions targeted for reduction are currently vacant and will not be filled. The number of staff whose jobs will be eliminated is expected to be 38. A small number of staff members will see hours reduced.
The announcement was made during hospital employee forums on Tuesday.
Staff affected by this action will be notified over the next week to 10 days and efforts will be made to align them with openings within the system and among partner organizations.
This is the first time in 10 years The Nebraska Medical Center has had to make an organizationwide impact to staffing.
It was a very difficult decision but a necessary one, leaders said.
This action reflects the hospital’s commitment to reduce overall costs in order to address challenges locally and nationally as health care reform becomes reality.
For a number of years, the hospital has focused on reducing costs and improving quality measures. With recent changes in the marketplace and a two percent Medicare cut looming as part of the Budget Control Act of 2011, efforts are being accelerated.
Salaries and benefits make up the largest expense in The Nebraska Medical Center’s budget.
The goal is to bring down the organization’s expenses to reflect anticipated levels of reimbursement in the future.
This initiative is consistent with efforts taking place in hospitals across the country.
Beyond this reduction in staff, leaders said it will take continued effort to achieve the goal and encourage employees to remain focused on opportunities to reduce costs and improve quality.