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Queen’s to lay off
64 staffers, reduce costs
by $7.5 million

Queen's new center to
focus on seniors' needs

Star-Bulletin staff

Queen's Hospital announced plans today to lay off 64 workers and cut costs by $7.5 million this year because of major reductions in Medicare reimbursements.

"Hospitals across the nation are facing severe cost pressures as a result of what Congress has done to Medicare reimbursement levels," said Dan Jessop, executive vice president and chief operating officer at Queen's.

After a $19 million loss last year, Queen's said last month that it would cut more than 100 jobs this month, including 16 staffers and managers in corporate offices and about 100 jobs at the hospital. Today's announcement reduces that figure to 64. The hospital and its subsidiaries employ about 3,900 workers.

Jessop said the 1997 Balanced Budget Act will cost Queen's a minimum of $47 million over five years.

"Medicare patients represent more than 45 percent of our revenues, so we must address the impact of cuts Congress has mandated," he said.

The job cuts, targeted by June 30, will eliminate vacant positions, reduce some programs and lay off workers, the hospital said. Most reductions will be in areas of nonpatient care, including maintenance, human resources, finance information services and other support functions.

Queen's anticipates cutting operating costs by an additional $5 million next year, he said.

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Queen’s new center to
focus on seniors’ needs

Star-Bulletin staff

A Center for Health Aging has been established at The Queen's Medical Center to focus on health and wellness for Hawaii's seniors.

Hawaii has the longest life expectancy in the country. The growth rate of those 65 years and older is two and a half times the national average, Queens said.

Dr. Shari Kogan, geriatrician, has been named medical director of Queen's geriatric services program and sees patients through the new center.

"The elderly have unique needs," she said. "They respond differently to medications; they have more chronic medical conditions.

"Our society holds many misconceptions about aging, so elders can benefit from a team that understands their unique needs."

The center will sponsor health-prevention programs, medication reviews and comprehensive health assessments. It will provide assessment and prevention education to support primary care physicians.

Kogan is a member of the center's Geriatric Consultation Team, which responds to requests for consultation from physicians caring for elderly patients.

Patients at the new center undergo comprehensive assessments that can reveal potentially reversible problems, she said. They include incontinence, unsteady gait, malnutrition, forgetfulness, agitation and depression.

Treatment of those conditions can help to improve the function and quality of life for the patient and family, Kogan said.

The team also includes Barbara Cannan, a clinical nurse specialist in gerontology, and Dr. Albert Leung, a geriatrician based at Queen's Kapolei Senior Care Clinic.

For more information, call 585-5494.