Shortage of Immunization Nurses Closed Long Beach Emergency Room – CBS New York

LONG BEACH, NY (CBSNewYork) – Long Island Hospital was forced to close its satellite emergency room because of a lack of staff.

Vaccine procrastination is having a direct impact on city health care Long Beach. CBS2’s Carolyn Gusoff reported that the barrier island’s only emergency department stopped accepting patients Monday.

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Sal Gaimalveo was one of the last patents seen at the Long Beach ER before the operation shut down at 3 p.m. due to a shortage of vaccinated nurses.

“It’s horrible. So what? Shall we move everyone to Oceanside?” said Gaimalveo.

VACCIUM-PROTECTION OF COVID

Yes, the only emergency room on this barrier island is operated by Mount Sinai South Nassau Hospital. Its main ER in Oceanside 15 minutes drive away. Its president said 99% of hospital staff are vaccinated, but 70 institutions, including eight ER nurses, are forcing closures to comply with state regulations vaccine mission.

Dr Avhi Sharma said: “We were told on Monday that they could no longer work. “We lost those nurses in the middle of the night. We cannot continue to staff two different emergency departments with the number of nurses available. ”

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Hospital officials predict the closure could last a month, while they recruit qualified and vaccinated staff. An ambulance will be stationed there, but Long Beach officials say they were blindsided by the news.

“I am shocked and deeply concerned for the inhabitants of this barrier island. We are 50,000 residents and to have barely announced that we would not get urgent care here is completely unacceptable,” said Long Beach City Council member Karen McInnis.

“By closing this facility, it also has an impact on all other Nassau County ERs,” said Long Beach City Manager Donna Gayden.

A PASSION OF CORONA VIRUS

They are asking Mount Sinai South Nassau to reconsider its closure. The hospital’s request to the state to renew the vaccine authorization was denied.

“We may reconsider if it is extended. This is a question about numbers. It’s that simple,” said Sharma.

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So on Monday afternoon, the ER will be closed. This is a department that welcomes about 10,000 patients a year.