According to a press release from the hospital administration, the reason for the decision is to “enhance resources” at GMH.
“When we first looked at it, we were looking at not even a breaking point for the operation of the hemodialysis [service]. We were losing ($50,000 to $70,000) per month,” said Rey Vega, GMHA interim administrator.
Hemodialysis service will only discontinue for outpatient services, Vega said. For acute or inpatient dialysis, the services will continue, he said.
Vega said GMHA is expected to save about $800,000 to $1 million per year as a result of the outpatient hemodialysis closure.
“With the realignment of the staff we can accommodate … that will save us in overtime money too,” he said.
The decision didn’t come overnight, Vega said, as this is something he, along with GMHA’s financial department had been discussing for some time.
“This is not something that we just decided to discontinue without reason. We are just confident that we have strong hemodialysis facilities in the community and we are confident in the patient care and services by these community providers,” said Vega.
GMHA is in the process of transitioning existing outpatient dialysis clients to other hemodialysis clinics available on-island.
There are presently four alternatives for private dialysis facilities located on the island. They include: Guam Renal Care in Hagåtña; Guam Dialysis Center in Tamuning; Renal Centers of Guam in Harmon; and Tumon Kidney Center in Upper Tumon.
The private dialysis facilities have been coordinating with GMHA to ensure a smooth transition, according to a press release.
For further information, contact GMHA at 671-647-2418.
