Alta Vista Regional Hospital to Lay Off Three Employees, Citing Workforce Restructuring

Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, NM is laying off three employees from its night shift registration team. The interim CEO says the move is part of a strategy to "rightsize" the workforce, while a union leader expresses concern about the impact on remaining staff members. The hospital has faced problems with hiring and retaining medical staff and was previously sued for allegedly providing substandard care.

The Alta Vista Regional Hospital in Las Vegas, NM, is currently undergoing a significant transformation, with the interim CEO announcing the layoff of three employees from the night shift registration team as part of a strategy to "rightsize" the workforce [1]. However, this decision has raised concerns among union leaders and staff members, who fear the impact it may have on the remaining staff and patient care.

The hospital, which serves a population of approximately 2,700 people in San Miguel County and the surrounding areas, has faced various challenges in recent years. In May 2023, investigative reports by local news outlets uncovered issues related to patient safety and staffing, including allegations of mishandled fentanyl, aggressive billing, and insufficient staffing levels [1]. These findings led to the resignation of the hospital's entire Medical Executive Committee and the departure of CEO Caleb O'Rear.

Although the hospital has restructured its leadership and implemented internal changes, external factors continue to pose challenges. The hospital was sued by the New Mexico Attorney General's Office in October 2023 for overcharging, aggressive billing, and advertising services it allegedly could not provide due to insufficient staffing [1]. The lawsuit is set for trial early next year.

Despite these challenges, Alta Vista Regional Hospital remains committed to improving patient care and outcomes. In recent news, the hospital achieved Critical Access Hospital (CAH) designation, which enables it to receive cost-based reimbursement for services provided to Medicare patients [2]. The hospital has also reopened its main entrance and updated its COVID-19 protocols [3].

As the hospital navigates these changes, it remains essential for local leaders and healthcare providers to work together to address the staffing shortages and ensure that patients receive the best possible care.

References:

1. KOBA, K. (2023, October 5). Alta Vista Regional Hospital CEO resigns. Retrieved from https://www.kob.com/new-mexico/alta-vista-regional-hospital-ceo-resigns/
2. Alta Vista Regional Hospital. (2023, November 17). Alta Vista Regional Hospital Achieves Critical Access Hospital Designation. Retrieved from https://altavistaregionalhospital.com/news/alta-vista-regional-hospital-achieves-critical-access-hospital-designation/
3. Alta Vista Regional Hospital. (2023, February 7). Alta Vista Regional Hospital Re-Opens Main Entrance. Retrieved from https://altavistaregionalhospital.com/news/alta-vista-regional-hospital-re-opens-main-entrance/