TULSA — Leaders of Hillcrest Health System say hospitals have experienced significant declines in routine and elective procedures as patients adhere to “stay-at-home” guidelines due to COVID-19.

“As the virus continues to spread, we must ensure we can provide life-saving care with the necessary caregivers and resources we have available,” said Kevin Gross, CEO of Hillcrest HealthCare System. “As a result, we’ve had to make difficult workforce decisions.”

Hillcrest is realigning services and making staffing changes including reassignment of staff, reduction of hours, furlough and pay reduction for exempt employees at the hospital and other facilities.

The temporary furlough of approximately 600 employees (or 9 percent of total) is expected to last up to 90 days.

Employees may be called back sooner based on need.

“We know this is a difficult time for workers and families,” Gross said. “We are hopeful that these measures will be short-lived. We are grateful for the service of all staff members and we remain hopeful that over the next few months, we will return to normal hours for our employees.