BREAKING: Maui Hospital Phased Closures Announced

Maui Hospital phased closures announced. Maui Now graphic.

After facing what they called a “dismal outlook” of the hospitals’ operations without a public-private partnership, the Hawai‘i Health Systems – Maui Region’s Board of Directors decided in an afternoon meeting today, to enact phased closures of beds and potential hospital services.

The State and the UPW hit another impasse in negotiations over the weekend. Kaiser Permanente has stated that it will not be able to transition to take over operations of the Maui Region until July 1, 2017.

Hawai‘i Health Systems – Maui Region’s Board of Directors release the following statement:

“In light of the letter sent to Governor Ige on August 28, 2016 by Kaiser Permanente, and the UPW initiated injunction, further deferring the transition date to July 1, 2017, the Maui Region Board of Directors has been forced to evaluate the hospitals’ ability to continue to provide safe patient care for this community.

It has been decided that if the State cannot reach agreements with both UPW and HGEA to the satisfaction of HHSC and Kaiser we will begin public hearings and notification to the Legislature, effective immediately, of Maui Region’s Phase I of its contingency plans to include:

· Reduction in capacity through bed closures – closing 8 Intensive Care Beds and 12 Medical/Surgical Beds.

· Review closures of an additional 30 more beds in other units.

· Begin Phase II planning which may include multiple service closures throughout the Region.

The impact of the bed closures will mean a decreased capacity with critical services such as Stroke, Heart, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics, Trauma and other critical care needs requiring transport to Oahu.

The delay in transitioning Maui Region to Kaiser Permanente has led to a high volume of staff vacancies, increased use of travelers and temporary workers, and an inability to attract staff and physicians, this first phase of closures will be the first step in addressing a dire situation to protect and preserve our patients and staff.”

Information on public hearings regarding possible service closures will be released when available.