SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — South County Health leaders are working to reassure the public that South County Hospital is in good shape, despite recent backlash over alleged management issues.

During a press conference Friday, South County Health addressed the ongoing controversies after a two-day investigation found no "deficient practice" at the hospital.

"The team had no concerns. All the services were confirmed to be operational and there are no current or anticipated gaps that were identified in patient care, service quality or safety," said Deborah Randall, assistant vice president of quality and regulatory compliance.

The reassurance comes amid calls from patients for state intervention and the removal of the hospital's top executives, including CEO Aaron Robinson, Board of Trustees Chairman Joseph Matthews, and Chief Medical Officer Keven Charpentier.

Nearly the entire oncology department resigned in August, citing "irreconcilable differences with management" in a letter addressed to the Board of Trustees.

During a recent interview, Robinson told Target 12 these issues stem from underfunding and that some difficult decisions were necessary to keep the hospital financially viable.

Patients, part of "Save South County Hospital 2024," expressed their concerns on Thursday, after learning that three of the four current oncologists will leave by the end of October.

"To hear that this wonderful oncology team has resigned and other crucial doctors are leaving is heartbreaking," South County Hospital patient Christine Siravo said.

Meanwhile, Charpentier said the hospital is committed to ensuring a smooth transition for oncology patients.

"The executive leadership team and the senior leadership team at South County Health have worked tirelessly in efforts to make the upcoming transition for our oncology patients from one physician to another as smooth as reasonably possible," he said, adding that despite the anxiety and concerns, there will be no lapse in care during this period.

Save South County Hospital responded to Friday's briefing by stating, "The hospital's effort seems to be to combat and refute the public outcry."

They asked federal legislators for a fact-check to ensure the DHHS form, which stated there was "no deficient practice," covered every concern raised in their initial letter.

Additionally, they asked State Health Director Jerome Larkin for the full report on the hospital, an explanation as to why they were not informed at the same time as the hospital, and proof that each issue was examined.

"We call on Governor McKee and Attorney General Neronha to examine this practice and relationship regarding information supplied to the public complaining to state officials, and help to save this community hospital from mismanagement to ensure its survival in capable hands in a vastly changing health landscape," the group said in a release.

The group believes the hospital is in crisis, but emphasized they are not claiming care is inadequate, only that management's decisions may begin to jeopardize it.