Underwood nursing home closing
Underwood nursing home closing
Doors to shut no later than March 15
By Michael Johnson
BHG News Service
A decision has been made to begin the closure of the Sanford Health Underwood Continuing Care Center, formerly known as Medcenter One Prairieview Nursing Home. The announcement was made Tuesday.
Public relations coordinator Kim Singer said that the decision was made based on severe staffing shortages and a declining need for long-term health care in the area.
“We’re going to be closing no later than March 15,” she said.
From now until that date, the staff will be working to find placement for approximately 39 residents staying at the facility.
In a statement by John Rieke, chief operating officer at Sanford Health in Bismarck, he noted that the decision took much time, careful study and consideration.
“Since 1996, we have been a proud member of the Underwood community and making a decision like this is incredibly difficult,” Rieke said.
He projected that hiring issues would persist, and the need for long-term care in the Underwood area would continue to decline.
“All of western and central North Dakota is struggling to hire and retain staff, and our ability to do so at the Sanford Health Underwood Continuing Care Center has reached a critical point.
Currently, there are 16 open full-time positions at the care center equating to a staff shortage of 29 percent. Some positions have been open since January 2012.
Temporary contract employees have been used to staff the center to fill registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, certified nursing assistant and certified medical assistant positions.
