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Hernando Today

Patient Volumes Remain Strong

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By TONY HOLT

Hernando Today

Published: January 8, 2009

BROOKSVILLE - Hospital visits were not scarce at Oak Hill Hospital during the holidays.

During Thanksgiving and the three days following, the medical staff only saw a total of 62 patients - which is more than a 45 percent drop compared to the previous year.

That made health care workers nervous as they headed toward the last few weeks of 2008.

The low volumes during Thanksgiving resulted in the elimination of seven jobs, which included administrative assistants, maintenance technicians and switchboard operators.

While no data were released for December, hospital spokesman Richard Linkul assured patient levels were normal from Christmas through New Year's Day and beyond.

"Our volumes were very strong," he said. "It's the start of the peak winter season ... So far, the flue season has been moderate."

Robin Schneider, a spokeswoman with Brooksville Regional Hospital, did not have any patient volume information ready before press time.

The two hospitals, along with Spring Hill Regional, combined to lay off approximately 47 employees in November and December.

Oak Hill is owned by Hospital Corporation of America out of Nashville, Tenn.

Hernando County owns Brooksville and Spring Hill Regional, but their employees are managed by Health Management Associates out of Naples.

The 40 or so employees at Brooksville and Spring Hill Regional were placed on unpaid leave, so their benefits will continue until their status changes. The hospitals' chief executive officer said she hoped to see most of them return once there is an increase in patient admissions.

A few already have filed for unemployment.

The seven employees at Oak Hill were offered severance packages and five of them were offered interviews at other HCA-owned hospitals. No layoffs were expected in the near future.

"We continue to monitor day by day what the economy is bringing us," said Linkul. "We hope to continue with the strong volumes."

Reporter Tony Holt can be reached at 352-544-5283 or wholt@hernandotoday.com.

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