Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health's decision to switch anesthesiology vendors could cause more than 150 of the previous anesthesia provider's employees to lose their jobs, The Charlotte Observer reports.
Here are six details:
1. Charlotte-based Scope Anesthesia of North Carolina became the anesthesiology provider at most of Atrium's Charlotte-area hospitals July 1. Due to noncompete clauses, Scope cannot hire employees who worked under the previously contracted provider, Charlotte-based Southeast Anesthesiology Consultants.
2. The switch affects 151 employees, including 90 anesthesiologists, a SAC and Mednax spokesperson told The Charlotte Observer. SAC is a Mednax affiliate.
3. Most of the 151 employees will lose their jobs, but the exact number is undetermined. Some may accept other positions, and a "small number" will remain employed to service other existing contracts for anesthesia services in the region.
4. Layoffs could begin as soon as Aug. 31.
5. Affected employees work for American Anesthesiology of the Southeast, which SAC contracted to provide services to Atrium. They come from SAC's East Boulevard offices, metropolitan-area Atrium hospitals and regional Atrium surgery centers.
6. Atrium did not renew a deal with SAC after hiring Scope in December 2017. SAC and affiliated companies filed a lawsuit over the lost Atrium contract in March. The case is moving through North Carolina Business Court.