In its third round of layoffs in four months, Hawaii Medical Center announced today that it will let go of at least 150 employees at its facilities in Liliha and 'Ewa.

Laid-off workers will be notified next week, and will receive 60 days notice.

"While this is a very difficult decision, it is necessary," said HMC Chief Executive Officer Danelo Canete.

He said the staff reductions are meant to keep HMC competitive.

"Based on national standards, our staff is too large for the number of patients in our hospitals," Canete said.

HMC filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection Aug. 28, triggering a restructuring.

"We expect to emerge from Chapter 11 within a year as a healthy institution that is financially stable and continues to be medically excellent," Canete said.

Hawaii Medical Center LLC is a partnership of CHA Hawaii, an affiliate of Cardiovascular Hospitals of America, a leading U.S. hospital management company, and the more than 130 Hawai'i-based physicians who form Hawaii Physician Group LLC.