GRMC exploring sale of Home Health and Hospice

Graham Regional Medical Center has taken steps to explore the sale of its home health and hospice services.

Graham Hospital District held a special called meeting of its board of directors at noon Thursday, Sept. 5, in the GRMC education conference room. The board met in a closed session to deliberate the sale of the property.

CEO Shane Kernell provided a press release explaining the future of Home Health and Hospice.

“Healthcare trends show a consolidation of home and health and hospice care services into larger organizations that focus solely on this type of care” the release reads. “This healthcare industry consolidation is an effort to gain operating efficiencies and maintain quality while payments for these services are tightening. Graham has a number of home health and hospice programs serving the (Graham) community.”

Discussions were had regarding several agencies who provide home health and hospice. As part of the deliberation, GRMC considered what will happen to the patients in the Home Health and Hospice programs.

“Patients that are nearing the end of the certification period will be followed to the end of that certification,” a written statement reads. “Others that are in the middle of a certification period will be offered a choice of all other agencies. The staff of GRMC will assure that an easy transition will be made to the agency of the patient’s choice, while assuring that there is no less loss of service or benefit to the patient.”

The board also discussed what will happen with the employees of the department.

“All home health and hospice employees will be offered a retention incentive to remain employed until home health and hospice are sold,” the statement continues. “In addition, they may apply for other open positions within GRMC during this time and will be given priority over any other candidates.”

For the rest of the story, see the Wednesday, Sept. 11 edition of The Graham Leader.