First Care responds to threats from the recession
First Care Medical Services in Fosston joins hospitals area and statewide in feeling the pinch of the recession. First Care is taking a proactive approach across the entire facility to reclaim sound financial footing while, at the same time, working toward retaining excellent customer service, patient outcomes and high performing employees. In meeting with employees on Wednesday, February 25, Patricia Wangler, Chief Executive Officer, explained the environment First Care is facing, and outlined the steps that wil be taken immediately to ensure financial stability in this difficult time.
"First Care's mission is to provide and coordinate quality health services to improve the health of people we serve, and action always starts with our mission. Coordination between all medical providers and caregivers is a critical focus in our mission. We know that historically it takes from 12 to 18 months after a recession ends for healthcare to emerge. It is our plan to emerge from this recession stronger, and our excellent employees will help us achieve that," she added. "We worked very hard to reduce the pain of the cuts and changes, and this is extremely difficult when blessed with a very high performing staff."
Wangler reported the decline of profitability at First Care for the past two years, dipping to a 1.3% loss in 2008 while the costs keep going up. The plan outlined by Wangler includes closure of the home health office in Thief River Falls. Fertile will become a virtual office with one clerical support position layoff. The populations served by the Fosston Home Health and Hospice providers will continue to grow and develop services. Wangler informed First Care staff that Home Health Services took the brunt of staff layoffs with a few additional hours of reduction expected elsewhere in First Care.
Other measures include a hiring freeze and analysis of any vacated position to determine how replacement of duties will be handled and also capping the PTO earning rate at the 15-year level. Changes in wage and benefits included replacement of the EDP (formerly known as sick leave) with a short-term disability plan purchased by First Care for full-time employees. Program cuts announced include: transitioning the Meals on Wheels program to a new service called MOM's Meals, which is now available in the area; the pending closure of the fitness center to the public when Anytime Fitness opens; and developing the chronic disease exercise program in the fitness center that will help people improve their health status.
Programs and services that will be added or expanded to better serve our patients include: surgical procedures in urology, podiatry, ENT and an increase in general surgery; MRI will be available five days a week with a First Care technician performing the testing; and the Telehomecare program will be expanded.
Wangler believes these changes are deep enough to prevent the need for any further cuts. First Care will realize a $220,000 saving this year as a result of the proposed cuts and $500,000 next year," she said. "With the help of our excellent staff, we will not only survive, we will come out of this stronger."
Mission Statement:
First Care Medical Services exists to provide and coordinate quality health services to improve the health of the residents of Northwest Minnesota.
First Care Medical Services
900 Hilligoss Blvd SE
Fosston, MN 56542
(218) 435-1133