Christ Hospital, Bayonne Medical Center workers oppose outsourcing of dialysis services

The two unions representing nurses and healthcare professionals at Christ Hospital and the Bayonne Medical Center are against a move that would outsource dialysis services to a for-profit national chain. 

By John Heinis/Hudson County View

“For decades the staff at Bayonne Medical Center have provided treatment and support in a safe environment,” Healthcare Professionals and Allied Employees Local 5185 President John Bauer, also a registered nurse, said in a statement.

“As Fresenius takes over dialysis services, the dedicated and experienced staff will no longer be at our patients’ side, creating a disturbance in care and potentially putting patient care at risk. The transition from Fresenius was not seamless, and patient care needs may at risk or leave patients feeling abandoned.”

Fresenius, one of the nation’s largest dialysis chains, have previously had their business practices called into question – such as Medicaid fraud and “patient exposure to unsafe conditions,” noted HPAE Public Policy Director Briget Devane.

The state Department of Health has approved the Certificate of Need application authorizing Fresenius to operate dialysis services in the Bayonne facility as of June 11,  Devane said.

She also said that CarePoint Health, the owner of Christ Hospital and Bayonne Medical Center, has yet to file the Certificate of Need application to close the Pediatric Unit at Christ Hospital and informed the union they will file the application by June 30th.

“This news raises concerns that further health care services will continue to be diminished either by outsourcing or closures,” added HPAE Local 5186 President and RN Nicole Mankowski.

CarePoint Chief Operating Officer Peter Daniels offered a difference perspective on the aforementioned changes.

“This partnership will bring the highest quality of renal care and dialysis services to the patients we serve through Fresenius’ nationally recognized care delivery systems,” he said in a statement.

“Similarly, by consolidating our pediatric services at Hoboken University Medical Center, we will be able to expand pediatric emergency and specialty care, including the addition of a Level 3 NICU.”

Editor’s Note: This story was updated with a comment from CarePoint Health.