Hospital officials set the record straight

First, and most important, Bonner General Hospital continues to be extremely proud of its dedicated, caring and well-trained staff. "One" of the primary reasons we have such a wonderful reputation, and the community has such trust in us, is because of our highly professional doctors and nurses. We value them greatly.

In order to operate any hospital successfully, occasional changes must be made to ensure that the organization continues to follow its established vision and direction.

Changes, while sometimes difficult, are necessary. Our community understands and supports that.

What is also necessary is to protect our patients' and staff's personal privacy by not releasing any information that would violate their confidentiality. That includes the reasons why it was necessary to terminate three of our 123 nursing staff. Our staff to patient ratio, and patient care, continues to remain excellent.

Some statements that are being made publicly, by others, regarding why the staffing changes were necessary, quite simply — are not true.

However, due to confidentiality, we will not disclose the reasons for the changes. Suffice it to say, we will continue to make any and all changes to ensure that our community receives the best possible care — always. This is one of the reasons why Bonner General Hospital has earned outstanding reviews and continues to remain a proud member of the Joint Commission on Accredited Health Care Organizations.

Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all those in the community that have expressed their confidence and support in us.

We reaffirm our commitment to continue to provide the excellent health care our community has grown to know and expect and what Bonner General Hospital has built its reputation on.

SUE FOX

Director of community relations

Bonner General Hospital