Maui Hospital Seeks $5.65 M to Mitigate Issues Related to Delay

Maui hospital executives requested up to $5.65 million as they deal with a one year transition delay of Hawaiʻi Health Systems Maui Region hospitals to Maui Health System, LLC, a Kaiser Permanente affiliated hospital system.

The request was made to island lawmakers during an informational briefing on the status of health care on the island, attended by members of the Senate Committees on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Health, Judiciary and Labor, and Ways and Means.

Hospital administrators say the request will help them to mitigate some of the issues related to patient safety caused by the delay in transition, which is not expected to occur until July 1, 2017.

The plan seeks to add additional staff and physicians and/or physician extenders to supplement operations during the time period prior to transaction close. This would require additional funding, and hospital leaders are looking to the legislature to assist.

“Under the current board and Wes Lo’s leadership the hospital has come a long way in providing care and services to our community,” said Dr. Ron Boyd during a presentation at Monday night’s briefing. “The hospital is staffed by skilled and caring nurses, ancillary staff and physicians. Unfortunately many have left over the past six months. We must transition to Kaiser. The sooner the better but if it has to be July 1, 2017 then let’s be sure that it happens,” he said.

From an operational perspective, hospital leaders say there has been an increasing amount of vacancies in Maui Region as a result of the delay. In addition, several physicians have left the community.

Accordingly, the Maui Region currently has approximately 400 vacancies or about 25% of its 1,600 person workforce.  In addition, an increasing number of gaps in specialty physician coverage have also been reported.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Photo credit: Kanoa Leahey.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Courtesy photo.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Courtesy photo.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Courtesy photo.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Photo credit: Kanoa Leahey.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Photo credit: Kanoa Leahey.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Photo credit: Kanoa Leahey.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Photo credit: Kanoa Leahey.

Informational briefing on the status of health care on Maui, 10.17.16. Photo credit: Kanoa Leahey.