Auburn hospital reducing staff after patient drop-off

AUBURN  —  Auburn Community Hospital is cutting its number of staffed beds following a drop in its inpatient census.

The nonprofit hospital’s daily average of filled inpatient beds has fallen to 75 in the last five months, down from a previous average of 85. That has caused financial losses, the hospital said today.

It plans to reduce staffing levels and close a nursing unit because of the reduction in staffed beds. About 25 employees in nursing, housekeeping, coding and billing, and management will be affected.

“We know that this is difficult news, and we regret that this action must be taken at this time,” hospital President and CEO Scott Berlucchi said in a news release. “However, we need to ensure that the hospital operates within its means so that we can provide the greatest level of care to the members of our community. We are continually grateful for all of our employees’ tremendous dedication and commitment to service.”

Auburn Community Hospital will keep its state accreditation for 99 beds. It could restore staffing cuts if its census improves in future months.

The move comes about a month after the Auburn hospital announced it was ending four months of discussions concerning a potential affiliation with Rochester General Health System. Auburn Community Hospital said it is continuing its search for a partner.

The hospital serves a population of about 80,000 in Cayuga County and the surrounding Finger Lakes region. It also has urgent-care facilities in Auburn and Skaneateles, a veterans clinic, and the Finger Lakes Center for Living, an 80-bed skilled nursing facility.

Contact Seltzer at rseltzer@cnybj.com