title: Layoffs, an emerging reality.
abstract: Permanent reduction of the work force in a 247-bed tertiary-care hospital in Rhode Island is described. All hospital departments were directed to reduce their salary and wage budgets by a given amount. Each department submitted recommendations for reducing the budget; these were subject to approval of the hospital administration. The pharmacy staff was reduced from 24.6 full-time equivalents (FTEs) to 23.2 FTEs. Termination of employees was a last resort; affected employees were chosen carefully and were given a thorough explanation of the reasons for their termination.
mesh_terms: D003363:Cost Control / Q000379:methods; D004651:Employment; D006744:Hospital Bed Capacity, 100 to 299; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D012237:Rhode Island; D000078329:Workforce