Grand Rapids-based Corewell Health West Michigan is rescheduling surgeries due to an anesthesiologist shortage and the imminent breakup with its anesthesia partner, West Michigan Anesthesia.
“West Michigan Anesthesia is terminating its contract with Corewell Health in September. Unfortunately, the group is not providing sufficient staffing. This has forced us to reschedule some surgeries,” Corewell said in a statement to ABC affiliate WZZM. “We are actively recruiting and hiring an anesthesia team. Our teams are continuing to provide high-quality care to our patients during this transition. We appreciate our patients’ understanding.”
West Michigan Anesthesia said that it reached out to Corewell with multiple contract proposals over a period of eight months, all of which were denied, according to a June 10 report from WZZM.
“While it is true that our contract with Corewell Health is scheduled to conclude in September, we want to clarify that WMA has made repeated efforts to continue our partnership,” WMA told WZZM.
WMA has been Corewell’s exclusive anesthesia partner for 40 years, according to the report.
“During eight months of negotiations, WMA offered multiple contract proposals that would have allowed us to continue caring for patients in our community. Unfortunately, those proposals were declined, and Corewell Health has ceased negotiations with West Michigan Anesthesia,” WMA’s statement continued.
“We recognize and acknowledge the reality of the nationwide anesthesia shortage. Like many healthcare organizations, we are navigating these challenges daily while striving to meet increasing clinical demands. Despite these pressures, WMA remains fully committed to serving the West Michigan region. Our teams will continue to provide anesthesia services at other hospitals, surgical centers, and office-based practices throughout the area.”
WMA has also promised to work with Corewell to minimize disruptions for patients during the transitional period.
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