Logan Reid
Allina Health executives have faced criticism for their decision to close the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and surgical services at Mercy Hospital's Unity Campus in Fridley and to close pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. This has resulted in protests from healthcare workers and the wider community, who argue that these closures will negatively impact patient care and limit access to essential healthcare services. The Minnesota Nurses Association has also spoken out against the decision, highlighting the potential harm to families in the region. Despite Mercy Hospital's reputation as one of the best hospitals in the state and the country, according to Newsweek, these changes have sparked concerns about the consequences for patients and their families.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Announcement | February 13, 2024 |
| Hospital | Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley |
| Department | Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and surgical services |
| Layoffs | 63 MNA full-time equivalent (FTE) Registered Nurse positions |
| Public Hearing | March 26, 2024 |
| Comments Deadline | April 29, 2024 |
| Reason for Changes | Low numbers of patients and costly renovations |
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What You'll Learn
- Allina executives' decision to close ICU and surgical services at Mercy Hospital
- The impact on patients and their families, including longer travel times
- The Minnesota Department of Health's public hearing on the relocation of services
- Allina Health's statement on repositioning care delivery at Mercy Hospital
- The proposed Healing Greed Agenda legislation to hold hospital executives accountable
Allina executives' decision to close ICU and surgical services at Mercy Hospital
On February 13, 2024, Allina Health executives announced their plan to close the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and surgical services at Mercy Hospital's Unity Campus in Fridley. They also announced the closure of pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. As a result, 63 full-time equivalent (FTE) Registered Nurse positions at Unity Campus would be laid off by June of the same year.
The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) criticized the decision, stating that the planned layoffs expose the "cruel hypocrisy" of hospital executives who claim that there is a shortage of nurses. They argue that these closures will negatively impact patients, who will face longer wait times for care and increased travel distances to receive treatment. For instance, a patient experiencing a sudden deterioration at Unity Campus may have to incur a $5,000 ambulance ride to Mercy Hospital, and families in Coon Rapids will face a 30-minute longer drive to locate a hospital bed for their child.
Allina Health defended its decision by stating that the changes aim to reposition resources to deliver the highest-quality care in the region. They plan to locate all intensive care units and surgical services at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, increasing the campus's surgical capacity. The low-census inpatient pediatric unit at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids will be repositioned to become adult beds.
However, critics argue that these closures are indicative of misplaced corporate priorities and callous cuts by Allina Health executives under CEO Lisa Shannon. They point out that Shannon received over $2.6 million in total compensation, including a bonus, despite making decisions that negatively impact patient care and access. Healthcare providers and workers urged community members to join a public hearing and provide feedback to Allina executives and state officials.
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The impact on patients and their families, including longer travel times
In 2024, Allina Health executives announced their plan to close the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and surgical services at Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus in Fridley. They also announced the closure of pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids. These closures will undoubtedly have a significant impact on patients and their families, who may now face longer travel times to access the same level of care.
For instance, families in Coon Rapids may now have to drive an additional 30 minutes to find a hospital bed for their child, as mentioned in a statement by the Minnesota Nurses Association. This increases the time-sensitivity of emergency situations and could potentially delay treatment, which is detrimental to patient health. Longer travel times can also be financially burdensome for families, adding to the stress of an already challenging situation.
The closures at Allina hospitals are not isolated incidents. In recent years, Allina executives have also closed labor and delivery services at Regina Hospital in Hastings, consolidating them at a campus over 20 miles away. They have also halted work at Cambridge Medical Center, negatively impacting access to care in this rural community. These decisions disproportionately affect those who cannot afford longer travel times or additional transportation costs, creating healthcare disparities and limiting access to timely, quality care.
The impact of these hospital closures and service reductions extends beyond increased travel times. They can also result in overcrowding in nearby hospitals, longer wait times for treatment, and reduced access to specialized services. This can lead to further delays in treatment and potentially compromise patient outcomes. It can also strain the resources of other hospitals, affecting their ability to provide timely and efficient care to all patients.
To mitigate the impact on patients and their families, it is crucial for hospital executives to provide adequate notice before closing a hospital or reducing services. This allows patients and their families to make informed decisions about their healthcare options and plan accordingly. Additionally, holding hospital executives accountable to patients, the public, and healthcare workers is essential to ensuring that decisions are made with the best interests of all stakeholders in mind.
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The Minnesota Department of Health's public hearing on the relocation of services
In Minnesota, the Department of Health is required by law to conduct a public hearing within 30 days of receiving notice of the relocation of health services. The public hearing on the relocation of services from Allina Mercy Hospital's Unity Campus to its Mercy Campus was held on March 26, 2024, at 6 pm via Teams. Over 200 people attended the virtual meeting, which included a presentation by the hospital, followed by a Q&A session.
The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) acts as a facilitator to ensure public discussion and engagement regarding any proposed closure, reduction, or relocation of services for hospitals or hospital campuses as outlined in Minnesota Statutes, section 144.555. The statute gives the MDH the authority to hold meetings and inform the public, but not to change, delay, or prevent the proposed changes.
The public hearing includes an explanation by the hospital's controlling persons of the reasons for ceasing or curtailing operations, relocating health services, or ceasing to offer specific health services. They must also describe the actions they will take to ensure that residents in the impacted areas continue to have access to the health services being eliminated, curtailed, or relocated.
The public is given an opportunity to provide testimony on the scheduled changes and the hospital's plan to ensure continued access to health services. Additionally, the hospital must identify the three nearest available healthcare facilities where patients can obtain the impacted services and any potential barriers to transitioning patients to those facilities.
The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) has criticised Allina executives for their decisions to close certain services at Mercy Hospital and Unity Campus, stating that these closures negatively impact patient care access. They have advocated for legislation to hold hospital executives more accountable and to require more prior notice when hospitals plan closures or service reductions.
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Allina Health's statement on repositioning care delivery at Mercy Hospital
Allina Health is repositioning its care delivery at Mercy Hospital (Coon Rapids) and Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus (Fridley). The two hospitals became one hospital with two campuses in 2017. This shift is another step to ensure both campuses are well-equipped to support patients and communities with high-quality care.
Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus (Fridley) will continue its focus on mental health and addiction, emergency and inpatient medical services. As the regional hub for surgical and complex care, Mercy Hospital (Coon Rapids) will expand its surgical capacity. Intensive care units will be located at Mercy Hospital (Coon Rapids), and all surgeries will take place there. The campus will increase its surgical capacity.
Several factors are driving the repositioning of services, including low ICU census at Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, decreasing volumes for pediatric inpatient care at Mercy Hospital (Coon Rapids) and Mercy Hospital – Unity Campus, and operating rooms that would soon need costly renovations. By moving ICU and surgical care to the Mercy campus, Allina Health aims to increase access to certain services at the Unity campus, which are crucial in addressing the state's persistent patient boarding issue.
Allina Health is committed to providing seamless care delivery and ensuring that care is delivered in the right place. They are working with impacted staff and hope that most of them will remain Allina Health employees. A public hearing was held on March 26, 2024, to discuss the changes and available alternatives for Mercy Hospital patients at both campuses.
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The proposed Healing Greed Agenda legislation to hold hospital executives accountable
In February 2024, nurses with the Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) introduced the Healing Greed Agenda, a legislative roadmap to put patient needs before corporate greed in the healthcare system. The agenda outlines MNA nurses' priorities for the 2024 legislative session and aims to hold hospital executives accountable to patients and the public. This comes amidst concerns of corporate assault on patient care access, with Allina executives closing intensive care units (ICUs) and surgical services and pediatric inpatient beds at various hospitals, including Mercy Hospital and Unity Campus.
The proposed Healing Greed Agenda legislation seeks to address these issues and hold hospital executives accountable by:
- Protecting Safe Patient Care: The agenda would protect nurses who speak out and take action to safeguard patient care. It would hold hospital executives accountable when their decisions to understaff nurses compromise patient care.
- Retaining and Supporting Nurses: The agenda aims to provide new protections against violence in hospitals for nurses and patients, often resulting from understaffing. It also includes incentives for nurses who remain at the bedside and improvements to nurse loan forgiveness programs.
- Regulating Executive Compensation: The legislation seeks to limit and bring transparency to executive pay at nonprofit hospitals. It aims to prevent excessive bonuses and ensure that tax-exempt hospitals give back to the communities they serve instead of solely benefiting top executives.
- Improving Public Notice: The Healing Greed Agenda proposes to enhance public notice when executives plan to close hospitals, clinics, or units. This would enable better preparation and ensure access to alternative care options.
- Protecting Patients from Predatory Practices: The legislation aims to safeguard patients from predatory medical debt collections and protect them from corporate bullying and abuses.
- Holding Hospitals Accountable: The agenda includes proposals for strict fines for hospitals that violate the law, such as failing to provide adequate prior notice of closures or consolidations.
The MNA nurses are working in coalition with various labour organizations and have received support from Minnesota legislators who are committed to fighting for patients and workers. The Healing Greed Agenda aims to shift the focus of hospitals from profits to patients and hold hospital executives accountable for their decisions, ensuring that patient care is prioritized over corporate interests.
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Frequently asked questions
Allina Hospital is not banning TBN Mercy. However, in 2024, Allina Health executives announced their plan to close the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and surgical services at Mercy Hospital's Unity Campus in Fridley and to close pediatric inpatient beds at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids.
Allina Health states that the changes are being made to ensure both campuses are best equipped to support patients and communities with high-quality care. They also cite the declining volume of inpatient pediatric patients in their two dedicated pediatric beds as a reason for the changes.
The changes have sparked concerns about reduced access to care, particularly for families in Coon Rapids who may need to drive longer distances to find hospital beds for their children. Health care workers have also rallied against the cuts, expressing worries about the impact on patients and providers' jobs.
Yes, health care workers, including pediatricians and nurses, have spoken out against the cuts and their potential impact. The Minnesota Nurses Association (MNA) seeks passage of the Healing Greed Agenda, legislation to hold hospital executives accountable and require more prior notice for hospital closures or service reductions.
