BRONX, NEW YORK — Montefiore Medical Center sent letters to 12 nurses on the utilization review team on May 28, informing them their positions would be eliminated in 45 days. In response, the New York State Nurses Association (NYSNA) filed a class-action grievance with Montefiore on June 1, alleging contract violations.

The grievance claims Montefiore violated its contract by not meeting with the union before issuing the notices. Nurses stated that Montefiore altered its utilization review process earlier this year, implementing AI-powered software from Datavant. Joe Solomonese, a spokesperson for Montefiore Health System, stated, "As is often the case, the claims by NYSNA are inaccurate and misleading." He added, "What is true is that we are always investing in new technology to ensure the best care and outcomes for our patients and will continue to do so for the betterment of the people we serve."

The letters, including one received by Ajita Mathew, notified nurses of position elimination. One letter stated, "I deeply regret to inform you that your position will be eliminated 45 days from the date of this letter." Another portion read, "During this time, the Medical Center will work closely with you to determine whether there are suitable positions that [are] in accordance with the collective bargaining agreement." The letter, signed by Shalesia Sookra, an employee and labor relations manager at Montefiore, also conveyed, "Montefiore recognizes the commitment you have made to its patients and will work hard to make this transition easier for you." The 45-day period is scheduled to conclude on July 12.

Judy Sheridan-Gonzalez, an emergency department nurse at Montefiore, discussed the role of human assessment in patient care. She said, "The patients require a human being to advocate for [them] to see if the visit is necessary." Sheridan-Gonzalez described algorithms as taking "very raw data and make a conclusion ... without taking into account the patient's gender, race, ethnicity, cultural needs, physical needs, and clinical needs, because they can't do that analysis." She contrasted this with nurses, saying, "Unlike an algorithm, nurses reviewing charts have access to people and can say, 'There's something missing here. Let me go find out what that is.'" She asserted that Montefiore's denial of AI's connection to the layoffs is "not true."