"The American College of Emergency Physicians has been engaged with both our OR Chapter and the Oregon Medical Association in advocacy regarding the emergency medicine staffing situation at Sacred Heart Medical Center.
ACEP remains committed to our support of frontline emergency physicians and the communities they serve and live in. National ACEP, together with the Oregon Chapter, were active advocates for the passage of SB 951 which was signed into law last year.
ACEP remains steadfast in our support of emergency physicians as stated in our Corporate Practice of Medicine policy which was in June 2023. That policy affirms that the physician-patient relationship is the moral center of medicine. The integrity of this relationship must never be compromised. The physician must have the ability to do what they believe in good faith is in the patient's best interest.
We will continue to engage, together with OR-ACEP and OMA with elected officials and other stakeholders to advocate for emergency physicians. The statement from OR-ACEP below reiterates the position of the chapter, and of national ACEP, in hoping for a resolution to the situation for the emergency physicians and the community they serve."
Message from OR-ACEP on the Transition of Emergency Medicine Services in Eugene
The Oregon Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (OR-ACEP) would like to follow up on our statement in regard to the transition of contract for emergency medicine services at PeaceHealth Sacred Heart Medical Center and an end to their relationship with Eugene Emergency Services (EEP).
OR-ACEP has been working closely with the National American College of Emergency Physicians and the Oregon Medical Association on our shared concern about the potential impact on patient care and community stability. OR-ACEP and national ACEP have met with our legislators, who are fighting hard to protect access to care in Eugene. Our message has been clear and consistent: Emergency departments are the cornerstone of the health safety net. Stability in physician staffing, clear lines of clinical authority and adherence to Oregon law are essential to assuring patients continue to receive high-quality emergency care.
While we do not take a position on contractual negotiations between the parties involved, we are concerned about the potential impact on patient care and community stability. We will continue to strongly advocate for patients and physicians in our state to protect our common goal: to ensure that patients in Eugene and surrounding communities continue to receive high-quality accessible emergency care.
