Sharon Regional Health System has announced that is is laying off personnel who perform administrative, technical, clerical and and support roles.

A statement issued by the hospital on Wednesday does not reveal the exact number of employees losing their jobs, but says the cuts amount to the equivalent of 87 full time positions. The hospital says the cutbacks include a limited number of clinical or direct care positions.

Ed Newmeyer, director of marketing and communications says that a six month review that included how patients use Sharon Regional services, the amount of reimbursements received, and community demographics, found that inpatient volumes have declined in recent years.

Hospital officials say that the system is being paid less, so changes are being made to operate more efficiently, reduce costs, and provide what the facility deems the most needed services.

Newmeyer points out in his news release that Sharon Regional Health System employs an equivalent of more than 1,100 full time workers. “We remain focused on caring for our patients with safe, quality care and a personalized experience,” said Newmeyer.

In April, Sharon Regional Medical Center was acquired by subsidiaries of Community Health Systems Inc. The acquisition included the 251-bed Sharon Regional Medical Center, outpatient centers and affiliated physician practices.

Community Health Systems is the same for-profit company that operates Northside Hospital in Youngstown, as well as Trumbull Memorial and Hillside Hospitals in Warren.