RNs to Quorum: Hospital must stay fully operational until new operator secured

Affinity Medical Center registered nurses applauded the decision by a Stark County Judge today issuing a temporary restraining order to keep the Massillon, Oh., hospital open for 120 days.

“We want to congratulate the hard work done in a short amount of time by Affinity RNs who have significantly contributed to this moment,” said Affinity RN Rose Ann Wilson.

With a temporary restraining order in hand, a TRO “will give the community more time to secure an operator in order to keep this hospital open,” said Wilson, noting the nurses are also stepping up the next steps.

Those include a meeting with officials of Affinity-operator Quorum Health Care “to demand the hospital remain fully operational, with continuing of care and full services, at least until a new operator is secured if Quorum is intent on proceeding with this unwarranted closure, and to recognize the essential voice of the hospital’s registered nurses,” Wilson said.

“It is critical that our patients and our community are never again left vulnerable to the threat of loss of a full service hospital, and all the care it provides, as well as assurances of continuity of employment for the 800 people who work at the hospital,” said Wilson.

In a matter of just a few days following the sudden announcement by Quorum that it intended to close Affinity as soon as February 4, Affinity RNs have talked to hundreds of community residents who are supporting the efforts to keep the hospital open.

Over 14 local businesses then joined the Affinity RNs, as well as the Massillon fire department union, and other organizations to sign on to the effort by city officials to win the TRO to allow more time prior to a closure and to explore other options to keep the hospital open.

A hearing, on the effort for a preliminary injunction following the TRO, is set for February 1.

In her decision today, Judge Chrysie Hartnett ordered Affinity to “not take any further action” for 120 days “that would result in the closing or cessation of any medical care services or non-admittance of new patients” at Affinity.

Additionally, the Canton Repository reported, Affinity’s chief executive officer and chief operating officer are “ordered to cooperate and coordinate” with city officials and other plaintiffs “to create a plan of action to coordinate an appropriate closure protocol that will allow all of the plaintiffs to transition patient care and emergency responder strategies” for ongoing care.

The RNs, members of National Nurses Organizing Committee-Ohio/National Nurses United, who represent the 250 RNs at Affinity, have been particularly concerned about the potential loss of vital cardiac care services, the role of the hospital in the midst of the opioid crisis, and the limited public transportation availability, especially for seniors and low income residents who depend on Affinity for hospital and emergency care.

This week, the Repository reported that area fire departments are alarmed about delays in transporting patients to other regional facilities, and longer wait times for emergency care. Massillon Fire Chief Tom Burgasser predicted two of the nearest hospitals would likely experience a 20-30 percent increase in ER traffic due to transports.

In 2016 alone, Affinity reported 43,229 emergency department visits, and 211,659 from 2012 through 2016 for patients who would have to travel up to 17 miles for care at the next four closest hospitals, NNU researchers have reported. Among the four short-term acute care hospitals in Stark County, Affinity accounted for 9.5 percent of hospital beds, but more than 18 percent of all ER visits.

Stark County also reported 1,748 emergency department and urgent care visits for opioid overdoses, with 163 unintentional opioid deaths in 2016 and the first half of 2017. Affinity provides major cardiac care, which along with a response to the opioid crisis would produce a serious burden for local residents, and stress on surrounding hospitals, if the hospital is allowed to close.

“Those are essential problems that Quorum must address, that RNs will continue to press,” Wilson said