September 27, 2013 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch Page 59 . . Business News FROM PAGE 58 provided a severance package based on their years of service. The hospital announced that even with this workforce reduction, there will be no impact on the quality of care provided and PRMC will maintain the level of care and the ratio of care providers at the bedside. “This was an extremely difficult decision but a necessary action to re-balance our hospital,” said Roger A. Follebout, Jr., PRMC’s Community Relations Director. “With inpatient volumes declining, it’s clear we needed to make staffing adjustments across all levels of the organization, and we’ll continue to reassess those levels and other budget and supply needs throughout this current fiscal year and going forward. This is healthcare’s new reality.” In tandem with the workforce reduction, a voluntary early retirement package is being offered to approximately 130 staff members meeting the requirements, including 15 years of service and being 62 years of age. “Those offered the option of early retirement, as required by law, are being given time to decide if they voluntarily want to accept that package,” said Follebout. “So it’s difficult now to say how many positions could possibly be open and when, and in what departments and divisions until all 130 or so make their decisions known.” At PRMC, there are 66 fewer patients in the hospital, on average, each day than just a year ago. The Medical Center is now licensed for 288 beds and expects that number to decrease to 250 within the next two years as inpatient demand continues to decline. PRMC was licensed for 363 beds four years ago. As services transition away from an inpatient setting, locations like Peninsula Regional’s existing Woodbrooke Medical Complex in Salisbury and the soon to open Delmarva Health Pavilion at Millsboro will become essential to providing that style of care closer to the patient. The recent economic downturn has accelerated the push for efficiency for all American healthcare providers. At the federal level, Medicare reduction through sequestration has hurt all hospitals. For PRMC, that amounted to $4 million in lost revenue. “Patients aren’t going to other hospitals and this is not a reflection on the quality of care being provided by our hospital or any Maryland hospital,” said Christopher Hall, Vice President of Strategy and Business Development at PRMC. “The volume changes are based on a multitude of factors: in these difficult economic times, they’re just choosing not to utilize those inpatient hospital services unless it’s ab-solutely necessary, there’s also a re-duction in re-admissions, more care in the outpatient setting and en-hanced medical management to name just a few. As we meet the challenges aheadPRMC will remain committed and focused on our overall mission to provide the highest quality care with the greatest patient experience at the most affordable cost.” Exclusively At Zen Spa From Edge Systems Facials• Massage Nails • Body Treatments Full Body Waxing Mineral Makeup Application Zen Spa provides 10 treatment rooms and boasts the area’s only couples room.  Voted Best Day Spa In Delaware THANKS TO THE READERS OF COASTAL STYLE MAGAZINE A 4,000 Sq. Ft. Day Spa Located On Rte. 54, One Mile North Of Ocean City and 4 Miles South Of Bethany Beach, Delaware. Large Parties Welcome • 302-988-1750 • Like Us On Facebook