Hospitals have begun preparing to meet the new guidelines set by Governor Cuomo for the state’s COVID-19 winter plan.
One major component is staffing the hospitals, with every hospital being required to identify retired nurses and doctors that could help due to a potential staff shortage. Albany Med ICU nurse Sara Thompson says nurses are exhausted. And the lack of staffing caused by overwork or nurses getting COVID-19 has added to the stress of nurses in the Capital Region. Sara and other nurses went on strike last week at Albany Med for better pay, PPE, and more staffing. Albany Med has said they follow all guidelines put forth by the CDC.