Perspectives from an ER doctor: staff cuts

I finally had a chance to talk with Emily again about how she’s doing on the front lines in the emergency room in Boston. I was surprised to hear that her hours are being cut! What? We’re in middle of a pandemic! Don’t we need our doctors right now?

Apparently her hospital is going broke. No one is doing any “elective surgery” which is where most of the hospital’s income comes from. No income, no money for salaries.

It sounds crazy to me. But then this morning, a local newsletter I get via email said the same thing about New Mexico.

“Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical Center yesterday placed 300 employees on temporary leave for up to 90 days, with CEO Lilian Montoya citing close to a 35% decline in patients and a $10 million-per-month drop in revenue since the state implemented stay-at-home orders and banned doctors from performing non-essential services. Lovelace Health System also confirmed to the Albuquerque Journal yesterday it is making “difficult workforce decisions” that will affect 15% of its staff, approximately 630 people. Two hospitals in Las Cruces also say they are cutting staff.”

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