No, no facility has reported to us yet that they are in a position that requires COVID-19 positive healthcare providers to be working. If a facility does reach that point, that information would be posted publicly so patients and families would be aware.”
The severity of the hospital worker shortage in Rhode Island has been a growing concern for weeks, with hospital leaders begging for relief on many fronts. It is not clear yet where they stand on having infected staff working in their hospitals.
In response to the story Health Department Spokesman Joseph Wendelken defended the decision:
“This change was not unique to ESH. Last week Rhode Island updated its quarantine and isolation guidance for the general public and for healthcare workers in hospitals and nursing homes” to mirror “a national change,” and more specifically, updated guidance from the CDC on Dec. 23.
“For healthcare providers, the CDC is recognizing that states across the country are experiencing healthcare worker shortages. If a facility is experiencing a significant staffing challenge, facility administrations may make a determination on the need to have … COVID-19 positive healthcare providers work.”
“For healthcare providers, the CDC is recognizing that states across the country are experiencing healthcare worker shortages. If a facility is experiencing a significant staffing challenge, facility administrations may make a determination on the need to have … COVID-19 positive healthcare providers work,” he added.
One healthcare official told the Journal that they, “have no choice.” Actually, they do, they could drop the mandate, sue the Biden administration and hire back the nurses they fired.
