MASSENA –Massena Memorial Hospital plans to cut the equivalent of 13 full-time positions in response low patient numbers and a reduction in Medicaid and Medicare reimbursement rates.

Chief Executive Officer Charles F. Fahd II announced today that the 50-bed town-owned hospital will realign staff designed to “right size the organization.”

“We have already instituted a hold on approximately 13 vacant fulltime, part-time and per diem positions throughout the hospital which represents approximately eight FTEs (Full Time Equivalents),” Fahd said. “In total, there will be 13.1 FTEs that will be affected by the realigning in the following areas: Fiscal Services, Nursing Services, Ancillary, and Support Services. The intent is to deal with the census levels and not affect patient care. If our budget variances continue, we will need to re-visit our staffing complement throughout the year.”

The reductions in funding along with a drop in patient volumes have negatively affected hospital revenue, he said, adding the realignment will also assist in developing professional services, outreach efforts and other services identified.

Fahd said the hospital’s senior management team and department directors have been working for some time to reduce costs and not affect personnel. He said the hospital continues to develop and implement initiatives to address a balanced budget to offset the changes in census and services provided.

The initiatives include continuing operational reviews for department efficiencies; developing professional services with the intent to increase patient volumes; strictly enforcing all hospital policies on overtime and reducing hours of some part-time employees; along with realigning staff for optimal productivity.

A hiring freeze is in effect and the realignment will be realized through attrition or retirements, not replacing positions of resignations when appropriate, two positions laid-off and a reduction of manpower hours.

“It is our fiscal responsibility to right size due to the changes in utilization patterns, reimbursement rates and census,” Fahd added. “We regret that the realignment is necessary at this time. We are consolidating where it makes fiscal sense. We want to assure the community that we will maintain quality patient care with an appropriate ratio of healthcare providers to patients.”

The changes will take effect immediately. The hospital currently employs 429 people.