In an effort to combat major profit losses, Kalispell Regional Healthcare recently announced the start of a “COVID-19 furlough” that has cut hours and/or wages for some 600 hospital employees and reduced salaries for physicians, executives and others. But when staff and the community can expect operations at the valley’s largest employer to return to normal, the current answer from hospital officials is “no one can reliably predict” when that may be.

Kalispell Regional spokesperson Mellody Sharpton said the situation will be evaluated in 30-day increments, at which time hospital leadership “will communicate to employees when we believe the return-to-work process will begin.” The furlough went into effect April 15, therefore, more information should be announced by May 15.

Sharpton added that “no other cost-reduction actions are being considered at this time” and according to a document sent out to hospital employees, they “will return to work in the same job class and status and retain their same pay rate.”

On April 13, Kalispell Regional Healthcare Chief Executive Officer Craig Lambrecht released a statement saying the system “projects revenue losses in excess of $16 million per month, which could jeopardize the organization’s ability to serve the long-term health needs of our community.”

Lambrecht pointed to the temporary cancellation of elective surgeries as a main contributor to the losses. The hospital announced last month elective surgeries would be canceled to ensure there is enough personal protective equipment (PPE), bed space and health-care staff available should the valley experience a surge in coronavirus-positive patients in-need of hospitalization.

Although Gov. Steve Bullock and local health officials have noted Montana’s coronavirus-curve appears to be flattening and the hospital has reported PPE amounts are meeting current needs, Sharpton reiterated information regarding the pandemic is “evolving on a daily basis” and there is no hard time-line for when staff will return or when elective surgeries will start back up.

In the interim, Lambrecht said furloughed employees can expect their health insurance benefits to extend through Aug. 31. A fact sheet sent out to hospital staff outlines what they should expect to change or remain the same during this time.

Aside from still receiving insurance benefits, employees will retain the vested balance of their 401k accounts, and they can expect on-campus childcare to be available once they return to work. The document also states employees cannot volunteer to be furloughed as assignments are “based on patient care and work-flow needs” and those that are furloughed may need to be called back to work before the end of the furlough.

“I am confident that we will ramp back up quickly once it is safe to do so,” Lambrecht said. “It is my hope that everyone can weather this uncertain time and emerge safe and well.”

Reporter Kianna Gardner can be reached at 758-4407 or kgardner@dailyinterlake.com.