CHI Mercy Health to Close Home Health Line, Impacting 50 Employees
7:49 PM · Apr 13, 2023CHI Mercy Health in Roseburg, Oregon, has announced the closure of its Home Health service line and a reduction in staff, impacting about 50 employees. The provider employs around 1,200 people in Douglas County, including a physician practice group. Sarah Baumgartner, the director of Communications, stated that like many healthcare providers in Oregon, CHI Mercy Health is experiencing significant financial strain due to various factors. In response, the organization is taking steps to improve efficiency, effectiveness, and reduce costs. Baumgartner emphasized that these decisions were not made lightly, but are necessary for the continued stability and future growth of the provider. The job reductions represent less than 4% of its workforce and will be finalized in May, while the Home Health service line will undergo a transition period of at least 60 days to ensure patients continue to receive care. Mercy Hospice service line will remain open, serving current Hospice patients and accepting referrals for new Hospice care patients. Other affected areas include hospital sitters, coffee cart and catering services, and a contracted transportation service. CHI Mercy Health is part of CommonSpirit Health, one of the nation's largest nonprofit healthcare systems, which operates over 1,000 care sites and 140 hospitals across 21 states. Mercy Home Health nurses have been providing comprehensive healthcare to people in their homes or foster homes. The services offered by the Home Health line included nursing, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, medical social services, and a 24-hour on-call nurse.