Nurses raise concerns over ICU closure at HRH

    The Houlton Regional Hospital’s announcement that it is eliminating intensive care services to the community has been met with concern from nurses, according to a top officer with the local chapter of the Maine State Nurses Association.
    Organization members suggest the hospital’s proposed change from intensive care beds to “intermediate care” beds will make it necessary for more patients and their families to travel to Bangor. “A concern of the nurses is that if HRH is not licensed for ICU beds, those patients will have to go to other facilities when HRH can provide those services with qualified nurses and physicians,” said Robin Boyer, MSNA local president.
    “Changing the level of care at HRH will impact the community. We have many patients that rely on HRH to be available for them. With these changes, we are worried about meeting the community needs,” said Deb Cyr, RN from HRH. This type of change has been tried and faced some challenges at other facilities including Down East Community Hospital, the nurses’ group claims.
    “Patients receiving surgery that are critical, who may need to remain ventilated after surgery, will not be able to stay at HRH with the closure of the ICU. More patients will have to go to Bangor for surgery,” said Denise Hannigan, RN.
    The proposed ICU closure will take place May 1. Hospital officials will be meeting in the near future with nurses regarding this change.