UnityPoint Health announced Tuesday a temporary reduction in hours for certain team members, limited furloughs and salary reductions for executives in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has paused services like elective procedures and surgeries provided by the health care organization.

UnityPoint, headquartered in West Des Moines, is one of the nation’s largest health care systems with services in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin. Fort Dodge’s UnityPoint Health — Trinity Regional Medical Center is part of that system.

UnityPoint employs about 1,100 people in the Fort Dodge region, according to Christine Zrostlik, UnityPoint senior media relations specialist. According to the Iowa Hospital Association, in Fort Dodge alone, UnityPoint generates over 740 jobs. Throughout its network, UnityPoint employs over 30,000 people.

As part of its plan to conserve resources, the organization plans to reduce hours for administrative, support, ancillary and clinical team members/leaders. Those reductions are short-term and limited, the organization said.

The temporary changes affect all UnityPoint hospitals, clinics, home care and support areas.

Zrostlik reported that most workers who directly care for COVID-19 patients will not be affected as a result of the changes.

Areas that are not operating at capacity or experiencing closures are subject to a reduction in hours or furloughs, according to UnityPoint.

In another effort to conserve resources, executives will see a 15% average reduction in pay.

Each of the stategies mentioned will become effective Sunday, according to hospital officials.

Like other health systems across the U.S., UnityPoint is facing unprecedented challenges and volume declines.

Zrostlik said those challenges have “forced our organization to make some difficult decisions that will affect our operations.”

UnityPoint had already taken steps to ensure it emerges from the current situation in a strong position, organization leaders said. That included pausing elective services, deferring or delaying all capital projects, reducing unnecessary spending and now, implementing additional workforce changes.

“The COVID-19 crisis has challenged UnityPoint Health as a care provider and as an employer,” said UnityPoint Health President and CEO Kevin Vermeer. “While we remain focused on providing the best care possible for our patients, it’s critical we conserve our resources wherever possible. These changes in our workforce are needed to ensure we can continue meeting the health care needs of our communities into the future.”

UnityPoint Health is providing resources to affected team members including continuation of benefits and financial assistance resources where applicable.

“Our people have been and will continue to be our focus,” said Vermeer. “We recognize the impact this has on them and their families and will do all we can to support them through this and come out stronger as a team and a health care provider.”

Zrostlik said there’s no timeline for when affected employees might regain hours or employment.

“While we cannot know exactly when this crisis will end, we remain optimistic these changes will be temporary,” Zrostlik said. “We greatly respect and value every single team member and provider and recognize the impact it will have on them.

“This is not a decision we take lightly and look forward to the health and safety of our communities returning to a position in which we can open up more services and engage our teams.”