Kaiser changes up its Wailuku facility

Surgery center, gastroenterology services to close, move to hospital

Kaiser Permanente is closing its ambulatory surgery center and gastroenterology services at its Wailuku Medical Office and moving the services to Maui Memorial Medical Center.

The closure will eliminate 11 staff and technician positions and 17 registered nurse and license practical nurse positions, but "there may be other options for these individuals including openings at Maui Health, internal job opportunities or training," according to Kaiser Permanente.

Kaiser said it doesn't expect any significant effect on patient scheduling.

"These services will now take place at the state-of-the-art procedural and surgical suites at Maui Memorial Medical Center," according to a statement from Kaiser Permanente. "Given our financial challenges and the need to develop new ways to deliver care, improve efficiency and service, and reduce costs, this decision makes strategic sense.

"We can use a newer, nearby facility rather than upgrading an older one at significant expense. It also aligns with our organizational mandate to find creative alternatives to how we do business in the COVID-19 era and beyond."

The statement said the hospital "is more modern, uses the latest medical technology and has more space and greater patient capacity."

Because of the change, some staff positions will be eliminated from the Wailuku Medical Office, according to Kaiser Permanente.

"This decision was not taken lightly but is in the best interests of our members on Maui and the long-term future of our organization," the statement said. "These individuals have made important contributions to Kaiser Permanente, and we are committed to assisting them during this transition and meeting all of our contractual obligations."

The company will be working with union representatives "to discuss details and explore options which could include openings at Maui Health or internal job opportunities, retraining, benefit packages, and continuation of medical coverage, among other options," according to Kaiser.

* Lila Fujimoto can be reached at lfujimoto@mauinews.com.