Jennifer Lewke Created: 05:53 PM, November 23, 2021
Rochester, New York (WHEC) — Our hospital has reached or exceeded capacity. Many local nursing homes are closed to new admissions because they do not have staff to look after them. The Finger Lakes region is on the verge of a healthcare crisis.
Last week, Thompson Health in Canandaigua was overwhelmed by patients twice and stopped accepting new ambulances.
"This is the first time in my career to divert attention here. Actually on Tuesday and Thursday, we did it for the same exact reason. It was all about the number, the number of patients entering, not just the patients. Quantity but patient acuity," President and CEO Michael Stapleton explained.
Noyes Health in Dansville has not diverted, but is experiencing the same surge. "Today (Tuesday) I can tell you that we have 50 impatiens and 6 patients boarding in the emergency room, 5 of whom are on ventilators, 22 Among them are positive for COVID," said President and CEO Dr. Chad Titus.
Health care workers are at a tipping point.
"It's not even a question of money anymore-these people are working in double shifts, they are extending their shifts, they are taking time away from their families, now there are so many people, there is no rest time, just the space for personal protective equipment. God," Dr. Titus explained.
As News10NBC reported, so did the URMC in Monroe County and the Rochester Regional Hospital.
“This is not a problem with the hospital, this is a problem with the nursing home. Of the 113 patients in our hospital, 17 of them are completely stable and need to be placed in a nursing home, but there is nowhere to go,” Stapleton said.
Rochester Hospital and 200 other hospitals are also waiting for placement. This is because dozens of local nursing homes are understaffed to take care of other people.
News10NBC investigative reporter Jennifer Lewke has been covering the healthcare crisis in our community for several months. Last week, Lewke went to a press conference in Buffalo to directly ask Governor Kathy Hochul about the shortage of personnel. Governor Hochul said she will provide News10NBC with information about whether she will provide assistance to institutions in need when the vaccine authorization for healthcare workers becomes effective.
On Tuesday, Governor Brian Benjamin was in Rochester, so Lewke followed up. Benjamin quickly postponed to the job of the chief executive of Monroe County, Adam Bello.
Jennifer Lewke (News10NBC)-Our hospital says they are close to a crisis, so is the country ready to take any action on this?
Governor Brian Benjamin-The state government is ready, but why don't you intervene (turn to Belo) how we communicate on this issue?
Adam Bello-This is really about nursing homes, it's about increasing the staffing level of nursing homes, it takes time... it's not something you just need to switch on.
Jennifer Lewke – But is this done at the state level? We have heard the county governor talk about it, but we haven’t really heard the governor or the government say, “Well, we’re going to do this, this, this, and then this to solve it”
Lieutenant Benjamin-well, I don't have the answer, this, this, this, but I know our Ministry of Health is studying and discussing these issues, so when I leave, I will talk to the governor here to let her know that I was asked about this Question, you also asked her... We will keep in touch seriously.
News10NBC is still waiting for a response.
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