Sarasota Memorial Hospital furloughing employees amid coronavirus pandemic

As hospitals across Florida brace for the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, at least one Bay Area hospital has opted to eliminate staff because of the “financial hit” the virus is having.

Sarasota Memorial Hospital announced plans on Friday to furlough some employees and reduce hours of others as part of a cost-cutting move. A hospital spokesperson cited “a sudden and drastic drop in patient volumes and revenues” for the decision.

Specifically, the hospital took a $16-million revenue hit in March because of the cancellation of elective procedures. Surgery cases fell by more than 50%, the hospital said, and hospital inpatients fell 30%.

There were similar drops at the hospital’s offsite case centers.

As of Friday morning, Sarasota County has 118 positive cases of the novel coronavirus, 63 of which were treated or are being treated at SMH. Five of the county’s seven deaths were at the facility.

Nine employees have tested positive and are being monitored at home.

“This was an extremely difficult decision, and one that we did not make lightly,” CEO David Verinder said in a letter to employees. “Staff have gone above and beyond to care for our patients throughout this crisis, even as they have been anxious about the health and well-being of themselves and their families.... (Read more)

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