The following statement from the Michigan College of Emergency Physicians (MCEP) and the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) is in response to ongoing negotiations between members of the Greater Detroit Association of Emergency Physicians and St. John Emergency Services – a group managed by TeamHealth.
As organizations that support emergency physicians and their patients and have advanced quality emergency care for over 50 years, we have closely followed the issues at Ascension St. John Hospital that may culminate in a strike next week. We are deeply concerned about these issues and their immediate impact on patient care, workplace safety, and physician well-being. Due to the utmost importance of the delivery of quality emergency care to the community, we urge all parties involved to swiftly engage in good-faith negotiations. As the safety net of our healthcare system, it is critical to ensure that emergency physicians have the necessary resources to serve their patients, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.