WTEN: Staffing Shortages a Concern for Hospitals as COVID-19 Cases Rise

WTEN/News10 interviewed Steven Hanks, M.D., chief clinical officer for St. Peter’s Health Partners, for its story on hospital capacity concerns in the face of rising COVID-19 infections.

From the story:

Capacity issues could be problematic for hospitals across New York State due to the rise in COVID-19 infections. At St. Peter’s Health Partners, they said they’re more concerned over possible staffing shortages.

“A bigger concern for us isn’t necessarily the beds as it is the staff available to take care of the patients because, like all people, our staff is experiencing exposure to COVID,” said Chief Clinical Officer Dr. Steven Hanks.

An overloaded hospital is now required to distribute patients to location within their system. This is a practice which began at the beginning of the pandemic when New York City hospitals sent patients throughout the state to be treated.

Click here to watch WTEN’s full report.