An update from the front lines


On June 27, I published this post – a compelling email from a recently retired nurse who described what it was like to work in a hospital during the first Covid-19 wave. Now we’re into our third (and almost certainly the largest) wave, hospitals are again filling up across the country – and we’re now seeing headlines about those infamous refrigerator trucks in El Paso (and coming soon to a city near you?).

This person just sent me an email describing his conversations with his former co-workers about what they’re experiencing; and they’re not describing a situation that’s too different from what the nurse described from his firsthand experience in June. Here’s the email:

“Good Morning Tom,

On this past Friday I spoke to a former colleague who works as an open heart recovery nurse and charge nurse in my former unit. I wanted to check in and see the lay of the land given how quickly infection rates are rising in the area. Things are not looking good. She said, nurses, physicians, ancillary staff, housekeepers, administrators…everyone is worn out. Currently they are not overwhelmed by Covid-19 patients, but all 3 ICUs (50 beds) are always full. They transfer a patient out and get another one in; it is a relentless process. The limiting factor is staffing; there just are not enough nurses to staff the units. In an effort to increase staffing levels, nurses have been offered double and triple on-call pay (8-12 extra dollars/hr.), but even with that incentive there are few takers. There has been some discussion about curtailing elective procedures, but apparently hospital administrators have decided against doing this in order to survive financially. 

This is just one example in one hospital in one city from the perspective of one nurse...

From what I read this is probably happening in cities across the country. It will be worse in rural areas with fewer resources. In my opinion we are looking at the collapse of our healthcare system in some parts of the country. 

In the past two weeks a brother and sister in law have contracted Covid. They seem to have recovered, which is good. They said they have “no idea” how they contracted it: “we wear masks everywhere, wash our hands, social distance…” They, of course, are ‘social butterflies’ and go to restaurants, bars, etc. so it did not surprise me. Two other brothers refuse to get flu shots. Their explanation is “I’ve never gotten a flu shot before and I’ve never had the flu!” Needless to say I could not convince either one to get one!

How many other friends and families are having similar conversations?

But, of course, Tom, that has been the problem all along; no leadership, no plan and I’m not seeing that change, probably until Biden takes office. In fact, I believe that Donald Trump is only going to do what benefits him directly, the American people be damned.”

I would love to hear any comments or questions you have on this post. Drop me an email at tom@tomalrich.com.

 

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