MercyOne releases statement about split with Medical Center Anesthesiologists
DES MOINES, Iowa — On Tuesday, MercyOne released a statement about its split with Medical Center Anesthesiologists.
Last week it was announced that MercyOne was parting ways with long-time anesthesia partner, Medical Center Anesthesiologists (MCA). According to an email sent to MercyOne staff obtained by WHO 13, the split stemmed from MercyOne's transition to TogetherCare/ Epic Go Live, an electronic medical record system.
MCA President-Elect Dr. Vincent Brinker told WHO 13 that the MCA knew about the transition to Epic but identified issues with the system. Dr. Brinker said the MCA provided temporary solutions to the issues, but MercyOne disagreed with those solutions, and ultimately decided to part ways.
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Now, MercyOne is releasing a statement addressing the issue. It reads:
Based on recent social media and news coverage, we recognize the need to share the broader situation of the MercyOne and MCA relationship to provide more accurate context for our community. MercyOne has a long history of providing exceptional health care and we are committed to continue providing that level of care and experience to our patients. In March, Medical Center Anesthesiologists (MCA) contacted MercyOne providing 180-day termination of their contract. To keep our partnership in place, MCA required MercyOne to provide more than double our financial support, forcing us to prudently request proposals from other organizations. Additionally, MCA was unwilling to chart patient status information during surgery using downtime procedures until MercyOne transitions to new technology for approximately six weeks.
Ultimately, the decisions from MCA have led MercyOne to seek a new partnership with Vituity, a physician-owned entity. 'Vituity's mission is to improve lives. We work closely with local partners to ensure continuity of care, expand access, and create positive, lasting impact in the communities we serve,' says Vituity CEO Imamu Tomlinson, MD. 'At the heart of our culture is a deep commitment to empowering clinicians — so they can provide the best possible care and find purpose and fulfillment in the work they do every day.'
The goal for MercyOne during this transition is to keep MCA providers in the new model to provide the same excellent service to our patients, our colleagues, and our community. Surgical clinical quality at MercyOne Des Moines is outstanding and achieves best in class results. Vituity is committed to continuing this tradition of clinical excellence.
MercyOne
After May 31, the MCA will no longer provide services to MercyOne Des Moines hospital downtown and Mercy Medical Center-West Lakes in West Des Moines.
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