Alfredo Ontiveros, FACHE, Gila Regional Medical Center (GRMC) Interim CEO announced to the GRMC staff that after a strategic review of staffing levels, a reduction in force (RIF) was completed.

Twelve (12) positions were eliminated in the RIF including four (4) at the Executive/Director level and eight (8) from administrative and support areas. Direct patient care areas were not affected by this action. Caregivers who were in RIF positions were notified and in keeping with GRMC practices, severance packages will be provided. There are an additional seven (7) positions not eliminated but currently vacant that will not be filled in the immediate future. As positions become vacant through attrition, they will be carefully reviewed to assess the need for replacement.

"Dwindling reimbursement coupled with a decrease in patient volumes with admissions down by 16% and surgeries by11%, prompted this action. Staffing levels did not keep pace with the reduction in patient volumes" said Mr. Ontiveros. "This management action will produce an annualized savings of $1,079,883 in salary expenses without negatively impacting patient care."