01/07/2017

Ohio ACEP Statement on Summa Health

In response to the controversy over the recent staffing change at Summa Akron City's Emergency Department, Ohio ACEP President Dr. Michael McCrea issued the following statement to Chapter Members:

January 7, 2016

Ohio ACEP Member:

Events of the past week in Akron have brought much attention to Emergency Medicine. Ohio ACEP’s Board of Directors met this week to discuss the events, to express and share concern for our members and for the patients affected by these changes.

Business transitions with resulting changes in physician relationships and coverage are a reality in Emergency Medicine. But when relationships change, they should happen with minimal effect on patient care. Such transitions should occur with appropriate planning, and training of providers for continuity of patient care.

Furthermore, in any transition that occurs at an institution that participates in Graduate Medical Education, there must be specific care taken by both the hospital and physicians to avoid a negative effect on resident education and training. Appropriate program leadership and core faculty must be identified in all transitions to minimize interruption in resident supervision and education.

ACEP President, Dr. Rebecca Parker, has issued a statement on the matter, and the EMRA Board of Directors has released an open letter outlining their concerns.

It is in the best interest of our patients and the communities we serve, our members, physicians in training, and all of Emergency Medicine to support strong, collaborative, healthy relationships between physicians, physician groups, and hospital systems.

Sincerely,

Michael J. McCrea, MD, FACEP
President
Ohio ACEP