Hospital chooses to have ER doctor “on-call only” some of the time to save money

By Ashley Roberts
WSLS10 Reporter
Published: March 27, 2008

A local hospital makes a major staffing change.

As of this past Wednesday night, there will no longer be an emergency room physician present at all times in the emergency room at R.J. Reynolds Patrick County Memorial Hospital. Instead, the hospital will have someone on-call. “It is cost effective for us to do it,” says CEO Janice Wilkins. “You minimize your health care dollars to benefit your clientele and the population of your community.”

Wilkins says it’s a decision other hospitals in rural areas have also made. “They maximize their resources and also utilize local physicians like we’re doing.”

Wilkins says the on-call physicians are within 30 minutes of the hospital which gives them plenty of time before rescue squads arrive with a patient.

WSLS 10 on your side spoke with a member of one of the local rescue squads who says he’s concerned about not being able to talk to an ER physician while he’s on the scene of an emergency and is afraid this change could cost a life.

In response, the hospital says rescue squads have received a list that includes the names and numbers of on-call physicians, so they can call with any questions.

WSLS 10 on your side: Will this change put patient care in jeopardy?
Wilkins: “No way what so ever will patient care be in jeopardy. We have very experienced people in our emergency room.”

Like nurse practitioners, physician’s assistants and EMT’s who Wilkins says have extensive medical training and will be in the emergency room 24 hours. They’ll be helping to save lives, and at the same time, saving the hospital money.

Wilkins also says, in addition to an on-call physician, another doctor will also be on call as a *back-up* just in case extra help is needed.