Economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic continues to deal devastating blows to the hospital industry, particularly safety net hospitals such as Chattanooga’s Erlanger Health System.
After eliminating 11 administrative leadership positions last week – including the CEOs of Children’s Hospital at Erlanger and Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital – Erlanger management implemented another round of layoffs Friday affecting 93 non-clinical employees.
“As the region’s only public safety net hospital system, Erlanger has borne the full brunt and financial impact of this pandemic in a way other health systems have not,” reads an internal memo distributed to employees throughout the hospital system Friday.
The memo states Erlanger’s “primary goal with these reductions is to reduce administrative cost without negatively impacting patient care.
“Our commitment is to remain steadfast about prioritizing our people, quality and safety, and operational excellence, while tackling our financial responsibilities directly,” it goes on to say. “Nothing could have totally prepared us, or any health system, for the impact COVID-19 has had on our operations. With our dedicated and competent staff, we have been able to provide exceptional care to COVID-19 and other patients throughout this pandemic.”