The Oregon Nurses Association intends to hold a vote on confidence in the leadership of Vancouver, Wash.-based PeaceHealth after the system announced it would not renew its contract with its current emergency physicians earlier this month, The Register-Guard reported Feb. 26.
Here are seven other things to know about the controversy surrounding the staffing change-up at PeaceHealth:
1. The ONA vote comes two days after medical staff at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center at RiverBend in Springfield, Ore., formally voted “no confidence” in two PeaceHealth Oregon leaders over their decision to dissolve its longstanding partnership with Eugene (Ore.) Emergency Physicians and will partner with Atlanta-based ApolloMD instead.
2. That vote followed an earlier, informal show-of-hands vote Feb. 18 during an emergency meeting attended by hundreds of medical staff members in person and virtually, as previously reported by KLCC.
3. According to results shared with medical staff, 367 of 486 eligible members participated in the vote, representing nearly 75% participation. Of those, 342 (93.2%) voted in support of a vote of no confidence in Oregon Chief Hospital Executive Jim McGovern, MD, and Oregon Chief Medical Officer Kim Ruscher, MD, while 25 voted against. In a separate measure, 363 voters (98.9%) supported reversing the decision to appoint ApolloMD as the emergency medicine provider at RiverBend and restoring Eugene Emergency Physicians; four voted against.
4. Eugene Emergency Physicians issued a statement following the medical staff’ s no-confidence vote acknowledging the support from physicians at RiverBend.
5. The change affects 41 Eugene Emergency Physicians clinicians — 32 physicians and nine physician assistants — whose contracts expire June 30 at RiverBend. KLCC previously reported that all 41 clinicians signed an agreement refusing to work for ApolloMD for at least 90 days after their contract ends.
6. In a statement shared with Becker’s, Eugene Emergency Physicians said it is “honored to have the support” of the RiverBend medical staff, noting that 363 physicians voted in favor of retaining the group as the emergency medicine provider at PeaceHealth’s Lane County hospitals.
7. In a statement shared with Becker’s, PeaceHealth Executive Vice President and COO Richard DeCarlo said:
“The expertise physicians bring is deeply respected, and the concerns they raise are seen. Our focus remains on maintaining open, constructive dialogue to address concerns directly and provide clarity on our decision. PeaceHealth supports the final decision recommended by the Oregon leadership team, including Dr. McGovern and Dr. Ruscher, to transition emergency department physician management services to ApolloMD. We are committed to the long-term strength and stability required to deliver our Mission, ensuring high-quality care for our communities. We will continue to communicate with transparency and respect throughout this transition.”
